To clarify, the lack of the 500 mile minimum is only for Dividend Miles members. But we also have access to reduced off-peak award travel requirements, such as 35,000 miles to Europe in Y or 60,000 miles to Europe in J so it's a tradeoff.
"It's a tradeoff" reminded me of the old days of AC and CP, where they only gave 50% miles on discounted domestic fares (but with the tradeoff of a lower qualifying level for Elite, which hasn't changed). I'm sure it's aggravating and petty to give only 39mi for a 39-mile flight, at least they're giving 450mi for a 450-mile flight (where AC and CP used to give only 250) or 2200mi for a 2200-mile flight (where AC and CP used to give only 1100). Of course on Tango fares you don't get any status miles.
=aw