vji

More of a rant piece, but seeing devaluations after devaluations I'm wondering if Alaska has the right mindset.
This is more toward the FF crowd, not the "I find the cheapest fare on Google then buy it" crowd.
Just scanning through the recent FT posts, I can think of several things AS is known for:

What was good about Alaska:
Generous FF program, with good international redemptions, albeit lower availability than other programs
60-day free changes (gone)
Price protection guarantee
Good earn rates (mileage-based) - it was often the best choice to credit to Alaska on most of its partners
Post VX merger, all the VX routes
Service is second to none
Fast call center times
Companion fare?

What wasn't great about Alaska:
Lounge is usually subpar compared to other airlines
First class is just okay

Good things within the recent year:
New partnerships with Singapore and Aer Lingus (but still no redemptions)
Earnings on post-VX routes

Bad things within the recent year:
SDC fee change
No more free 60-day change
Draconian enforcement of lowered baggage sizes
Many VX routes reduced in frequency or completely going away
F award pricing is higher, harder to find awards at saver level
Loss of DL partnership, KLM, AF, Aeromexico
Devaluation of AA, LATAM
Award space for Qantas dropped even further, JL is hard to book (nit)

Sure, AS still provides incredible value, the changes are still more generous than what other airlines have, etc. but the writing looks like it's on the wall - we're in for a bumpy ride.