Regarding AA introducing something like DL's basic economy fares: it seems to me like that's a place where AA's sticker system could lead to actual innovation that protects their revenue while still offering frequent flyers something (for Golds and Platinums). If you're using $60 worth of stickers to upgrade a basic economy fare on a flight from the northeast to Florida, that seems like extra revenue for AA that would make the upgrade totally reasonable. AA could tweak free upgrade earning: you don't earn miles towards elite upgrades on basic economy fares, for example. Or make EQPs the counter for upgrade earning instead of base miles.