I don't give a rat's a** whether it makes sense for CO's bottom line to give fewer EQMs for cheap fares. The fact of the matter is that this thread is about whether it makes sense for the consumer to switch their FF program. CO does not operate in a vacuum and the DL and NW programs might be deemed as roughly equivalent by some (even if not by others), and things like 50% EQMs should go into the calculus of determining which program to consider.

I am amazed how quickly people on this board are willing to forgive every example of CO cheapness or inflexibility, because CO "is profitable" or it "makes business sense." I mean, why exactly should I care? Isn't it clear by now that airlines don't really go out of business? And that FF programs have become such a profit center that they aren't going anywhere, even in mergers and bankruptcy? CO doesn't have to offer full EQMs or lifetime elite status or whatever, but these are negatives for the consumer, no matter how you slice it. Besides, do you honestly think that the real key to CO's long-term success is whether it gives 50% EQMs?