Airlines are starting to treat mileage awards as prepaid seats. American sells more miles each year than they give out in bounus and flown miles. This has become an important source or revenue. As long as the airlines control the number of seats avaialble for award travel why should it matter if they are sold or not on the open market? If they think they are protecting their $12000 fares I would question how many seats they would end up flying empty if they discontinued these types of awards.