The entire foundation of airline loyalty programs, class of service distinctions, and limited-access lounges rests on discriminating between different customers based on their perceived value to the airline. Let's not pretend AC is degrading its premium / high-tier customer experience out of belief in egalitarian values. They allowed this mess to happen due to a combination of poor planning (missing the combined effects of post-pandemic travel recovery, status extensions, and new credit card offers) and short-term thinking (selling points / status benefits to banks for profit).