It is kind of ironic that this snafu is getting people to care about the Visa Championship "series" for the first time. In years past all the "series" was was rewarding the top individual performer (who also competed at the US champs) at one of the meets.
This year the "series" is down to 3 meets total and from the USATF website there does not appear to be any outdoor meets (this is just a guess but likely because Diamond League rules prevent the meets from being part of another series).
Regardless of the reasons, it seems likely that the apparent loss of the outdoor meets is the main reason people care this year. In years past $25,000 was given to the outdoor winner, $25,000 to the indoor winner. Thus $50,000 total.
This year with no outdoor series USATF has increased the 1st place prize to $30,000 and created a 2nd place prize of $15,000 and now has a 3rd place prize of $5000 coming to the same total of $50,000. In years past there was never any money for 2nd or 3rd so now more people have a chance at the money.
And saying there is "no objective" way to do it is complete BS. There are tables out there to begin with. If there are problems with the tables, then make corrections. That is more fair than just unilaterally deciding not to do anything putting all the distance runners at a disadvantage. Altitude not only slows down distance runners but it helps sprinters.
The one thing people are forgetting is these races in Albuquerque are unrabbited. It is very unlikely to see a distance runner run a fast time at USATF indoors anyway. So this in reality may be just a principled stand for some fairness.
Maybe this will end the Visa "series" forever. I always thought handing out a $2,500 check at the end of a televised meet for the best performance of the meet made our sport look cheap. Ususally when people pose with checks on tv it is for much more money. Way back in 1998, I broke the course record a local road race, and I think I then was given a big cardboard check for $2,500. That is what the winner at each meet gets.