Although I know a lot of people think the 50% EQM is a way of getting people to buy higher fares or weed out elites, I actually think what the airlines have found is that their partnerships aren't working. Afterall, how many of us started flying NW or DL when we hadn't in the past once we could earn miles?
I have and did. But now have to be careful about EQM's whic means much more choosey.
That's bucks out of CO's pockets. No gain for them only for us. Personally I enyoed having my pick of three airlines and full EQMs. Guess thats now the good old days....