As the elimination of the 500-mile minimum is but the latest in a string of insults by US, but one that has sparked the strongest response here given the rapid growth of the associated thread, I'd like to assemble a list of other recent downgrades to the US DM program that we can cite in our emails. Rather than add to the existing thread, I thought it might be appropriate to start a separate thread where we can keep the list in the first post for easy reference.

Recent DM and Related US Downgrades

• Sep 05: Elimination of 24-hr cancellations with full refund [thread]
• Jan 06: Elimination of Y/B class-of-service bonus [thread]
• Jan 06: Elimination of CP rollovers of miles >100K and segments >100 from previous year [thread1, thread2, thread3]
• May 06: Elimination of upgrades on premium awards [thread]
• May 06: Indefinite suspension of awards on Royal Jordanian [thread]
• Jun 06: Reduction of Gold elite bonus miles from 100% to 50% [thread1, thread2, thread3]
• Jun 06: Reduction of Silver elite bonus miles from 50% to 25% [same as above]
• 2006: Failure to follow through on announced participation in Star Alliance upgrade award program [need announcement ref]
• 2007: Increased mileage requirement for Star Alliance awards to Asia [need details/ref]
• May 07: Elimination of Upper Class award redemption on VS [thread1, thread2]
• Jul 07: Addition of $100 fee for "Low Fare Guarantee" vouchers [thread]
• Aug 07: Indefinite suspension of awards on Qatar Airways [thread]
• Oct 07: 50% increase in mileage requirements for domestic upgrades [thread]
• Oct 07: Elimination of 10K mi Y/B (USE1) TA upgrades [thread]
• Oct 07: Institution of $1200 minimum fare requirement for TA upgrades ($600 one-way) [thread]
• Dec 07: Addition of hidden $5 online booking fee at usairways.com [thread] (Rescinded Mar 08 [thread]) (Reinstated Apr 08 [thread])
• Dec 07: Elimination of online booking bonus [thread]
• Mar/May 08: Elimination of 500-mile minimum [thread] (Rescinded Nov 08 for elites and Shuttle pax [thread1, thread2])
• Apr 08: Increased change fees for non-refundable fares to $150 domestic / $250 international [thread]
• May 08: Addition of $25 fee for second checked bag (non-elites only) [thread]
• May 08: Addition of $5+ fee for selecting "Choice Seats" at Web Check-in (non-elites only) [thread]
• Jun 08: Addition of $15 fee for first checked bag (non-elites only) [thread1, consolid thread]
• Jun 08: Increased call center ticketing fees to $25 domestic / $35 intl [consolid thread]
• Aug 08: Addition of $2 fee for in-flight beverages on domestic flights [consolid thread] (Rescinded Mar 09 [thread])
• Aug 08: Elimination of Preferred bonus miles [thread1, consolid thread] (Rescinded Nov 08 [thread1, thread2])
• Aug 08: Increased award reissue and redeposit fees to $150 TA / $250 TP [thread]
• Nov 08: Discontinuation of in-flight entertainment (IFE) [thread]
• Nov 08: Removal of all non-Envoy powerports [thread]
• Feb 09: Addition of fee for in-flight pillow and blanket [thread1, thread2]
• Jul 09: Increase in baggage fees by $5 unless paid online (non-elites only) [thread]
• Mar 10: Elimination of Preferred access to Choice seats [thread]
• Extremely limited availability of Upgrade and Saver Awards has also been reported

If you have other specific items to add (other than the usual complaints about downgrades in service, which are less quantifiable), please post them here (ideally with a thread link) and I'll update this list.

Recent First Class Downgrades

Here is a list of recent downgrades to the F product that, while not directly related to the DM program, are inherently linked in that they reduce the value of automatic preferred upgrades:

• 2007: Reduced pitch of domestic F seats on Airbus planes [thread1, thread2]
• 2007: Reduced number of domestic F seats on A320, A321 [same as above]
• 2007: Removal of closets in F [A320 thread]
• 2007-2008: Inconsistent pre-flight beverage service [thread1, thread2]
• Apr 08: Reversal of advertised use of glassware in F (ex-East) to complete removal of glassware in F (ex-West) [thread1, thread2]

Reduction of F seats in Envoy has also been noted, but I'm not sure of the details - if this is associated with better seats, it's probably not appropriate for this list.