Originally Posted by beaubo
Ironically, it is precisely the conditionality (or as some keep insisting here, the complexity) of the 'Maverick Award' that would make it reasonable for a FFP to roll out as a test.
The name of the game to avoid revenue displacement is to destroy the value to the business traveler. Weekend stayover requirements are the classic example. Priceline's opacity as to time of day is another.
Your proposal destroys value by not guaranteeing a J seat (something I know you are particularly fond of), but it does guarantee coach accommodation. The fact that the coach accommodation is at double the normal mileage makes this acceptable to the airlines.
All in all, it's a reasonable approach for J awards. But the real nut is what to do about coach awards? There an opacity-based approach might be viable.