While I think there is some truth to that AGR is run by a reputable organization, Carlson Travel. There is no reason why they can't figure out how to run a loyalty program. Rules like splitting tickets, stacking double/triple points promos, the way their award routings work (30k points gets you a six day cross country can can come out to about $.09 per mile), no capacity controls are all bad policie.

What about when AGR sent out replacement upgrade coupons this summer. At that point I still had one my upgrades they sent out at the begining of the year, I still used it and am using the other 3 they sent. Is that unethical?

A few years ago while they were still in business I bought an Independence Air GLiDE Pass. The pass was $249 and valid for anywhere they fly east of the Misssissippi River on TUE, WED, and SAT from May-August, all I had to pay was the tax. At the same time the airline launched there Happy Bags promotion and they were giving out $20 off coupons. The coupon could be used to cover the cost of the tax for your trip. Effectively making one segment trips free and two segment trips $.40. In the end I used my pass/$20 off coupons enough that the airline paid more than $249 in tax.
Did the airline expect this? No, however they set the rules and their rules allowed it. Think about the pudding guy.