There also seems to be a hidden increase going on, which is worse than this. It used to be possible to get "regular" awards most of the time, with double-mileage ones needed just for last-minute flights on popular routes at popular times. Recently it seems needing double miles has become more common, if not the norm, because the airlines seem to have cut back on the availability of the less expensive kind.

Is that just me, or has anyone else seen the same thing?