A frequent flyer program is no more and no less than a contract between a carrier and its enrolled customers.
Not every provision of this heads I win and tails you lose agreement is enforceable by the airline, depending upon the contract laws of the state under which the contract is executed.
IMHO, Northwest, now Delta, was foolish not to have settled this case way back when.
This case could lead to a ruling based upon the applicable law and facts that could have far-reaching consequences for all carriers with US based passengers enrolled in their frequent flyer programs.
The days of bait and switch may be over and the airlines could find themselves with liabilities in these programs way beyond what they dreamed.