I disagree that miles are next to useless. I have booked six TATL flights (one way) this year in J with various airline miles, all at decent valuations. However, if I can’t find a suitable award, I will occasionally buy premium economy or J if crossing a large body of water, and then it’s less and less loyalty to an airline that helps drive the choice of carrier(s). And certainly changes like the one discussed in this thread are not helping AS earn my business.