They already HAVE added some "budget" units as quasi-members (Eurowings, Olympic) which they already use to deny Star Alliance benefits to connecting passengers.

It would not be nice to see this practice expand. It would be nice to see Star Alliance passengers get a break on carriers like this (wholly owned affiliates of current members)

Whst Delta and America do, United is sure to imitate some time later.

It's gotten much harder to extract value from travel loyalty programs. The Golden era has passed