With the change in E for this year particularly elimination of the SSWUs at 45K, the benefits to frequent travellers has been reduced to

1) Priority Check-in
2) Lounge access

If AC raised the limit for E, I think the bulk of the E will leave for UA or US FF program and therefore rob AC of the revenue stream it makes from the other programs to pay for the AE miles. The reduction so far of the E has make me to think that the bulk of the E has been flying *A partners but accumulate with AE. Therefore it is advantageous for AE to take away the SSWUs but by keeping the 35K for *G to hook the E to stay with AC. This is of course really bad for FF that travels mainly with AC and within Canada.