Originally Posted by
ijgordon

This doesn't make much sense. Discounted first/business class fares are usually significantly less expensive than full Y fares. Unless they're really focusing this on government Y fares which are probably much much lower. Frankly there's rarely a reason to need to buy a full Y domestically, but on the other hand, often that's the only one-way fare available for overseas flights, and is usually more than discounted J.
Don't try to make sense of it. Parker is channeling Louis XVI and has a disdain for economy. He can't seem to see the distinction between passengers paying for full Y vs. B. Imagine paying for "Y" at the last minute, there's no MCE available, and you're on a MAX8. Ugh. Wait, did they make it so that Y fares don't qualify for MCE (barring elite status) or was that just on AAnytime awards?