Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
Yeah, perhaps. Or maybe, just like we saw a ton of media coverage describing the golden goose that are airline loyalty programs, one day we will the tide turn when someone took a step too far, killed their golden goose, and was punished for it by Wallstreet. I think Delta made such a misstep in 2023 and backtracked for a while.
I have no doubt that the golden days of loyalty programs are behind us, though. That doesn’t mean that I won’t enjoy whatever is let as long as it is beneficial to me. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in ten years, my primary credit card was a cashback card, though.
Alaska isn’t allowed to make material negative changes to MileagePlan until 2032 per their settlement with DOJ to get the HA merger approved. So 2032 is the soonest they can switch to revenue. That said, they have made it such a part of their identity that, like Southwest and two free bags, I doubt it ever changes.