on the subject of loosing the entire value of ticket if you don't travel...I'm O.K. with that because it's not fair to larger airlines to block up a bunch of seats and have nobody show and all the airline made was $100 and you then say well I'm gonna fly airtran or southwest but look at their limited route networks and no overseas flights ...Delta verses Southwest is not apples to apples...
On the subject of same day standby...let's see how that really evolves..If one airline rescinds it ? or maybe fee could be waived for elite travelers..It's not January yet so a lot could still happen by then.