Well, I disagree.
We have 4 buddies flying to BKK via NRT with likely upgrades to biz. An extra $100 on a $700 RT ticket with a value of $2-9 thousand dollars is worth it!
Do you actually want those costs borne out of your profit-sharing?
If a buddy wants to fly w/flexibility to upgrade, change return city/date with small fee and cover the fuel charges, why not? Can they get a flexible ticket like a buddy pass for the same price?--I think not.
Our buddies just got the news and they emailed back, "thanks for what we can with those passes".
I have another already in Chile who will pay up another $50 IF he changes/reissues. If you can't afford to travel, you can't afford to travel--pass or ticket. I'm pretty sure DL is in the business to make money. Do you own any stock?