I am a newly minted MVPG (still w/o the card) and the father of an AS F/A.

My daughter recently received her first pin as the result of a recommendation from a Gold. They are darned hard for a reserve F/A to get and much appreciated.

But I have these observations about the program:

(a) Only golds can give them. Since golds ride in the F cabin much of the time (except transcons :-) ), reserve F/A are unlikely to encounter them, since they are unlikely to be designated the "A" F/A.
(b) The program is for gate and ticket agents too! Actually, I think it is for any AS/QX employee. But I suppose rampers have few opportunities to interface with the flying public.
(c) The reward given to employees seems to be somewhat cheap, IMHO. Especially for an organization that needs to compete on the basis of superior customer service.

I have these suggestions to improve the program:

(a) Any participant in the mileage program should be able to submit recognition forms, not just golds. Of course, the ones received from golds should be given more weight than those from John OnceAYear Flyer.
(b) The reward could be improved a bit. Perhaps one positive space credit per referral.
(c) Instead of being just a recognition form, perhaps it should be generalized as a feedback form (reporting the bad as well as the good). If so, the form should be able to separate those reports concerning the individual versus those concerning the company. For example, if a flight leaves late, it probably isn't the F/A's fault, unless of course boarding was delayed to accommodate the late arrival of one F/A (and this late F/A may have a very good reason - such as only being dispatched from airport standby 5 minutes before).

Lastly, I have these suggestions for those who submit the recognition forms:

(1) While an F/A is certainly going "above and beyond" to assist you with your 50 lb rollaboard, he/she would be very foolish to perform such deeds. There is a very large risk of injury to herself or other pax.
(2) The gate agent(s) who efficiently run the boarding process to try to get the A/C away on time are certainly deserving of recognition. Did she get the wheelchair pax onboard ASAP and then run back to the podium? Did she anticipate if overhead space would be an issue and premptively ask people to gate check large carry-ons?
(3) The empowerment of an F/A to make an impact is extremely limited. They can't single out the gold back in coach for a F meal, or give you a DigePlayer. They can't "hold" a connection to allow for late arrival. But they can (and should) try to alleviate things for the 350 lb pax in the middle seat (and his row mates). And maybe they can help the connecting pax make his flight to Europe by arranging a seat trade for the last 20 minutes of the trip, so that he can be among the first off the plane upon arrival.
(4) Consider rewarding those who are simply pleasant and cheerful. In these times of 80% load factors, that itself is rare enough!