Originally Posted by
hyedmd
Makes sense, thanks for the detailed response. No doubt that you guys are much more knowledgeable than I am...
We all started somewhere and there are those who are far more knowledgable than I here...the OG'ers.
Originally Posted by
hyedmd
...I guess I'd first check how much it cost AS to offer refundable X fares before 2021 and what proportion of customers who bought it were top elites (75k at that time). Would the lost revenue by offering a certain feature attract more customers to reach 100k and spend more to do so? Would that at least partially offset my expenses to offer refundable X?...
Bingo. Hence the "compared to what" angle.
When one buys a basic economy fare they're selling the carrier flexibility (or the carrier is discounting the fare for the lack of flexibility) and removing the economic logic to allow for the cheaper fare defeats the purpose of the carrier offering the cheaper fare in the first place.
The catch is the exact data here is undoubtedly proprietary and doubtful AS - or any airline - wants their competitors to know the details in a such sensitive area thus we - the simple religious of the travel world - will forever be in the blind.
BUT it's also true we can see AS actions, or lack thereof, and draw some conclusions from a general sense even though we lack the resolution to drill down to a specific/defenitive level.
...or you just find an excuse to get execs drunk and spill the beans. 
Originally Posted by
hyedmd
Anyway, thanks for the input. Your non-arrogant and non-lecturing language is much appreciated.
Thanks - hope it helped.
Also would encourage everyone to try and read through the emotion in whatever walk of life. James rasied good points in this thread IMHO and even if though one's tone may be a bit terse, it doesn't mean it's automatically wrong (and likewise just because a post is easy to ready and friendly doesn't necessarily mean it's right).
