While I normally don`t mind opening new threads for every minor incident, I wonder why this one has been created, because the answer has already been told by the OP....

For starters:

Our beloved Lufty is not the best pal of most of the other airlines around, not even within its own alliance. The essence of comments about LH from all those other airlines is roughly "very smart" underlining that LH has achieved a position from where to milk and squeeze out most of its customers and partners, even partners of a certain size and reputation. Clashes arise here and there ( SAS establishing own sales force in Germany again, because of lack of ticket sales by LH on their behalf ) SQ not code sharing to Kennedy anymore, Air NZ withdrawing from highly lucrative FRA-LAX route, but under the bottom line LH is dictating conditions.

If carriers do not follow, punishment will be cruel and the Wolf will head out to collect the fines...

Seriously though, I am still not convinced about the net financial benefits of the FCT and HON Circle for LH, especially if carriers like UAL decided not to pay for the benefit of awarding those miles, which must have been part of the first financial draft...