Originally Posted by
Often1
What specific term of the program was violated by AS introducing a new fare basis which has different features? You can look all you want and you will not find it. In fact, you will run straight into the disclosure that the program may be changed at any time (although the program has not been changed at all).
However, for most, they are a bad deal. Whether you ordinarily pay a change fee or not, these tickets are wholly inflexible. If you need to make a change or cancel, the ticket loses all value and you simply buy a new one.
This ship sailed 6 years ago when DL introduced the fares and started expanding them because they are highly profitable and many customers like them (because they are cheaper and they want to save money).
With genuine respect sir, to me Alaska Airlines having such sweeping language in the terms and conditions which says essentially "we can change the program anytime" doesn't make it right for Alaska Airlines to create the expectation of future benefits and then without enough notice diminish those benefits. In the extreme, would it be ethical if after a customer traveled under the expectation of earning status and using those benefits next year to get surprised as AS suddenly says "the entire program is cancelled forthwith, not sorry because we said we can do what we want. I don't think so.