Though I basically agree with what you say, the also-sensible counter argument is that it’s easy to not pay for a lottery or casino; just don’t do it. But frequent flyer programs are impossible not to pay for if you fly: the cost of the miles is baked into the ticket price whether you choose to earn the miles or not.

AS reduces the miles given to the masses and gives that to the Golds and 75Ks

Sure, they give a different number of miles in different circumstances, and the miles awarded per dollar spent of course varies widely on a mileage based program like Alaska’s. But it is still true that the frequent flyer miles is one of the things you are paying for when you purchase an airline ticket whether you accrue the miles or not. In that sense, paying for the frequent flyer program is not voluntary like paying for a casino or lottery is.

They make so much money selling miles to BofA et al that the programs make money overall. But of course the miles have an accounting value (some multiple of which BofA pays AS for credit card miles), and there is an accounting value of the miles that AS awards for fliers. It is in some sense a marketing expense, but it’s still a cost you’re paying for whenever you buy a ticket and by not participating in the frequent flyer program, you give up some of the value of what you paid for.

Now all that said: I play the airlines’ game and find some value — sometimes significant value — in frequent flyer miles. And I agree that the OP and others accused by the prosecutor, judge, and jury airline are very unlikely to get any remedy in a real court or from a lawyer (especially after legal fees even if they do “win”). But make no mistake: it’s the airlines’ game, and there are arbitrage opportunities in part because those who (justifiably) think it’s a scam subsidize those of us who make the effort to play the game.

FYI I didn’t buy or sell any miles, and I was personally on the trip myself. Every conversation w: Alaska is documented with notes taken, or voice recorded etc. one costumer service rep actually HUNG UP on my assistant. I believe someone made a mistake and the rest of the staff were instructed to cover it up. We DID file a complaint with DOT. Bottom line - it should not be ok for any company to sell us something, confirm sale, then rescind the item on a whim. It costs people time and money to deal with random, untrained corporate bull like that. Thankfully I DID receive a message back from Alaska customer service after filing the complaint. She said they researched the case notes, & she acknowledged a mistake had been made and there was NO basis to think I had done something wrong with the ticket. They said they will reimburse me for the out of pocket expenses their error cost me & asked me to send the receipts... so I spent another day gathering all receipts & I sent them to Alaska. That was 2 wks ago. They’ve yet to confirm receipt of the documents or reimburse me. I really hope this time they honor their word & do what they say.

There’s plenty of ways to prove it, but discussion on how to best violate program terms is against board rules. I know of FT members who thought they could outsmart FFPs and found out otherwise. But you do you, boo.

boo to you for agreeing with policies made to maximize Alaska's profits at the expense of consumers