I've sent a mail reply asking for a reconsideration.

Barring that, what's the new miles-earning strategy for those of us who refuse to pay card fees?

•Starwood's no-fee AMEX card seems to be the best deal, with its 1:1 transfer of points to miles on major airlines.
•For usage where Amex is not accepted, is the Hilton no-fee VISA card now the best? It earns 3 points per $1 charged. At 85,000 points for a domestic flight, that's less than a 1:1 transfer.