Great catch! Haha! "Pay more miles to be treated worse!"

I'd like to say this a good thing, but we shall see whether it remains a "good thing" or if it becomes a way to get more miles in redemptions off the books by folks who won't do Basic Economy. Basic Economy isn't for me but some folks find it right for them as they see it as a way to save money and not pay for things they don't necessarily value that I do value (like seat selection). Now this will also (maybe) allow them to save some miles (though as MSPeconomist points out, it may not even save them miles).