Again, I do not know the numbers, but if it is 100,000, then that 100k now does not have to fly again on AA this year in hopes of getting status.

AA just told them "We love you, you love us. Fly us if it works out this year, but more important, if we are still in business, you and a few million others already have elite status next year."

And, they also told their REALY FRQUENT FLYERS: " We appreciate your business, but please understand if you are less apt to get an upgrade next year now that we have increased the number of flyers" and another thing, if this all means less people fly from Sept-Dec this year, we might not have enough money to continue food and drink service anyway.