This is pretty bad, I agree with MarathonMan that it is wrong, but unfortunately these things seems to be commonplace in the world of miles and points. Some programs give warning of these kinds of changes and others do not. Those that do not are most likely wanting to avoid a run on the proverbial miles bank.

I did not participate in the Amtrak-->UA for two reasons, one is that I do not care for UA, and the other is that I do not want to depend on a partnership for my miles earnings. I have seen this industry long enough to know that airlines change partnerships constantly and I cannot depend on them being there any longer than the immediate future. This MBNA eBay --> Asia miles thing, while a good deal as it stands now, is also, I am sure, just as subject to change.

So the problem of where to earn miles when the wonderful SPG Amex is not accepted... I just signed up for AA's card. They are giving it to me without fee for one year (targeted offer by mail only). At the end of the year, I will either decide to keep it and pay the fee, or I will call them and ask to switch the card to a 1/$2 card so I do not have to pay any fee on it. My decision depends on how many miles I end up putting on it and how much I use the card's perk of reduced mileage awards. I was thinking that this perk may encourage me to pay the fee to keep it a 1/$ card.

I had the NW Visa and changed it to a 1/$2 card, but I decide to focus my earnings on AA instead due to NW program changes that did not make me happy. In any case, I will keep the NW 1/$2 card since there is no fee, just only use it for emergencies, unless NW gives me a good reason to choose them over AA.

Though they are not advertised, about all the airlines have 1/$2 cards. Also the HH Visa gives 2/$ with no fee.

I guess if SPG had a Visa or MC, we would not have this problem.