The reason I hate the 50% rule is probably the very reason CO likes it--the inability to book cheaper fares on most CO partners, regardless of whether it is booked online or not. CO can still claim to be a member of Sky-team while dis-incenting One Pass members from using Sky-Team partners. I don't understand why DL and NW, expecially, put up with it.

The other part of the 50% EQMs that doesn't make sense to me is that the policy penalizes only those passengers I would think CO would want to keep--the frequent flyer. Sure they, may be lower fares (though on the routes I fly, CO's "low" fares are ususally higher than anyone else's), but most frequent flyers fly on a mix of fares.

The twice a year flyer doesn't give a rip about EQMs. They just want to earn enough general miles to take the kids to Disney World someday. They're not affected at all by the 50% EQMs.