Ok, FWIW, DL describes the fee as a "temporary fuel surcharge". US describes it as an award processing fee. Minor difference maybe, but if Tempe would figure out how to communicate with customers, then maybe their customer service numbers wouldn't be so horrible.
Next, yes "giving it away". You seem to forget that elites were told repeatedly that the only way you can earn elite status to have your butt in the seat. Remember the whole rollover issue? Elite status is certainly not given away according to the sandfleas after the merger. They were very indignant about anyone thinking that elite status could be obtained without sitting in the seat. Well, now that their numbers have dropped, they are doing everything they can to "give it away". So, now, someone who "earns" 40,000 miles in this program can get gold status and the number of miles needed is less than the miles needed to get gold status if you sat your butt on the plane. It was like when they gave away CP status for buying $1,000 worth of flowers. PLANE REDICULUS.