I agree that joining Aeroplan changed my life for the better (back in the early 90s I told my mom that I wouldn't get anything out of it but at her urging joined anyway). The rest is history and we have had many family business class trips using points to South Africa, Europe, USA, upgraded long and short-haul flights (almost all) from ridiculously cheap fares (that's changed but for a long-time, it was easy pickings), lounge access, access to concierge when needed (it was much better before).

If I was joining now (Aeroplan/Altitude), not sure I would feel the same but everything is relative.

If you had nothing before, then even the current ff program offers you something in return for your business. I can afford to buy up now and, while not super cheap fares, are reasonable compared to what I could have paid for mid-week non-Saturday stay fares back in the 1990s.

Do I miss the good old days -- sure, but I am also happy that AC is making money. As I told Calin at the last SE do in Calgary--"your job is to make AC profitable so I will still have an airline around that I like to fly". He got it obviously without much help from me.

I just want stability in the program which I am likely not going to get. C'est la vie--as KenH says, we have always found ways to stay ahead of the curve.^