Elite programs are meant to increase the perceived value of services to customers who provide large chunks of revenue, not increase frustration, which is what program dilution is doing. I do not believe that socialization and rank-expansion of these programs will increase short- and long-term earnings. If anything, we may see the opposite effect.

I can't comment much about U.S. frequent guest programs, but I can say that most of the better Asian programs are holding the line. In terms of airline elite programs, such as UA MP, IMHO they are blurring the line between their lo/no-rev pax and their top flyers beyond distinction.

I would like to see a return towards simplicity, as was the norm back there in the good old days, like last year. As in many other areas, again IMHO, the KISS principle applies here.