Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets
... I mean, even if Delta suddenly evaporated entirely (ie Ch 7 - JJ), wouldn't other airlines scramble to recruit all those frequent flyers previously loyal to Delta? And wouldn't they figure out that one way to inexpensively recruit loyalty to the new airline would be to honor the abandoned flyer's Skymiles (or, more likely, to convert them, probably at a discounted rate, into the new airline's program)? Or is that just wishful thinking (for instance, I can see how verification would be a problem, without access to Delta's Skymiles database).
(emphasis and comments added - JavaJunkie)
I don't know if it would be inexpensive even though the miles are considered an outstanding liability to DL. As part of the BK settlement, their creditors would want compensation for something that would have value (loyal customers) to another airline. The airline that would assume such a liability would not want to devalue the miles or "cherry pick" the customer base too much for fear of alienating those customers that they just paid to try to obtain. If it were to go this far,
(which I don't think will happen) I don't think that verification would too much of an issue as the FF list and mileage balances would be what they are buying.