I don't think that Aeroplan has forgotten its roots, it's just decided to become an AirMiles program. Over the past little while they have eroded the benefits of the top tier flyers, driving many of them away. Now they are reducing the opportunity for FFs to gain status by having more and more fare classes ineligible for status mile accumulation. Eventually they will reach a point where they can say that they have so few top tier flyers that it is not worth providing the infrastructure to support them. At that point, the lounges can be privatised and will charge for entry and the other perks will disappear. If one airline is willing to go this route, there could be a stampede to abandon FF programs.

Or am I being too cynical?