To United’s leadership, though, the problem is their deal with Chase — and has nothing to do with making the program worth less to members indeed United’s President believes the airline’s presence in a market dictates card acceptance rather than the value proposition of the program itself.

// people look for a good value proposition. gut your program, and don't be surprised at what happens.

the only reason I have the legacy Prez Plus card is that the value comes from its waiver of elite spend requirements up to Plat. That's worth far more than even the club benefit.