I purchased a 2016 Bullfrog last fall and after 9 months our pillows also bubbled and peeled. My spa dealer greatly supported me in trying to get a logical answer from the manufacturer but Bullfrog gave us the same answer you received. While the gas zone may be the cause, it still doesn't excuse them from a poorly designed pillow where the bromine/chlorine gases can permeate through the foam material and create the bubble under the surface liner of the pillow until it eventually it tears. I noticed that once the liner tears the foam underneath is crumbly. The manual only says to remove the pillows whenever the water is over sanitized--that is a huge hassle to make sure this is the case on a daily basis to monitor. From a practical standpoint you would have to do without a spa cover all the time to guarantee a no gas zone would be present. Another problem is the foam pillow is attached to a plastic piece that doesn't need to be replaced but the company makes you replace both making each pillow expensive! I decided to work with my spa dealer to get a discount for replacement pillows, but now however I am leaving the bad ones on (or leave the pillows off altogether with the cover on) and only putting on my replacement pillows whenever the spa is being used. Even though I like my Bullfrog massage features, I cannot recommend this spa to others until a DURABLE pillow is developed. I would advise them to buy a spa that does not use this type of pillow.
