I don't disagree with the basic premise of this thread...that airlines may continue cutting benefits (like F upgrades) for frequent flyers in an aattempt to cut costs.

Problem is that if they go too far, it will backfire.

Frequent flyer benefits are the primary drivers of loyalty to a particular airline. Without them, the only thing pax will have to distinguish one carrier from another would be price. If we get to the point where price is the only thing driving a pax to a particular airline, it will have the natural effect of driving prices ever lower, lower, lower. That, of course, is an untenable position for the airlines. Therefore, they must retain something that they can use to distinguish themselves from other carriers, and thereby drive loyalty. Without that, the race to the bottom will only accelerate.