Lifetime Memberships

[benhadi]

Re: Lifetime Membership

Hi Folks,

Seeing that the discussions here were mostly in 2005, much of the information might no longer be applicable.

I'm lifetime QP, but i'm looking for another Frequent Flyer program that offers some sort of "Lifetime" status, either through flying or paying. SIngapore airlines, until recently, had one that you could get through flying, but as of September 2007, it'll be unavailable for new memberships. Lucky for those who already have it.

Apart from QFF, which does offer lifetime gold and silver, who else offers these?

ANy ideas?

Edited by NM to provide link to the original old thread where this new discussion began:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...gram-discussion/lifetime-membership-5264.html

 

[Mal]

Re: Lifetime Membership

I'm lifetime QP, but i'm looking for another Frequent Flyer program that offers some sort of "Lifetime" status, either through flying or paying. SIngapore airlines, until recently, had one that you could get through flying, but as of September 2007, it'll be unavailable for new memberships. Lucky for those who already have it.

Most American programs have "Million Miler" status based on multiples of 1 million miles. Some care only about flying, some are points from any sources.

These normally translate into lifetime status of tiers of their FF program - eg 1 mill could be the base level, 2 mill the middle level and 3 mill then top level etc. Depends on the program really.

 

[benhadi]

Re: Lifetime Membership

Are you referring to FF programmes?

I didn't think AA offered lifetime status. What abt United? Naturally, only interested in OW or *A, due to their extension of the benefits across their network.

 

[simongr]

Re: Lifetime Membership

AA has two levels of lifetime status - 1 million miles and 2 million miles. Currently 1MM gets you lifetime gold and 2MM gets you lifetime platinum. This is signified by the a 1MM on your luggage tags...

 

[Mal]

Re: Lifetime Membership

Delta:
SkyMiles frequent flyer program benefits (Bottom of page)

American (unofficial page as I believe it is an unofficial/unpublished benefit):
Million-mile status - FewMiles' Unofficial Guide to American Airlines AAdvantage

See also this (relatively old) article:
USATODAY.com - Airlines' 'million milers' get quiet perks

United program exists, but I can't find any more details except that it counts only flown miles...

 

[benhadi]

Re: Lifetime Membership

So which is easier? Achieving 14,000 SC on Qantas, or 1 million miles on AA? Considering i'm based in Aussie?

 

[Mal]

Re: Lifetime Membership

So which is easier? Achieving 14,000 SC on Qantas, or 1 million miles on AA? Considering i'm based in Aussie?

The 1 million mile mark on AA earns their 'Gold' which is the equiv of Qantas silver. Their 'Plat' is the equivalent of Qantas Gold, and is earnt after 2mill miles.

So it's really 7000 on QF vs 1 mill on AA or 14000 vs 2 mill on AA

It's a good question, but one I can't really answer. I suggest without a very viable way to shift your Credit Card points to AA (routing through Starwood is an option if you are on Amex) then the QF one is about your best bet. Depends a lot on your travels, CC spends etc.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Lifetime Membership

IMO i think it's easier to get LTG on QFF! (that's easy for someone - me - to say this even though I'm nowhere close to LTG! haha)

I think the easiest way is to complete a few RTWs - and if you plan it well i'm sure you can get 14000sc's in around 7 x RTW's on J or maybe 5 on F.

Of course I'm optimistic as I'm only 27y.o, so hopfully I'll complete a few RTWs in J/F plus any other flights to get SCs credits

but if i don't reach that, thank goodness i applied with the AFF corporate QP membership so I can use the QP when i don't fly J/F (which is more often than not!)

 

[simongr]

It depends to a certain extent on your flying/spending patterns. As a J/F flier you are better off in the QF program (I would be LTS if I had stuck with QFF by December this year after 19 months flying).

However if you have significant CC spend you could flick that to AA and get IMM quickly (even though you are only getting half the miles on AA that you woud if ou had put them to QFF - but remember the redemption rates are better on AA).

The question I think is not which one is easier to get but which one is most appropriate for you. Do you forsee a drop off in your flying after a period of a few years of heavy flying (in which case I would suggest QFF) or do you have medium term reasonable amounts of flying (say 60K miles a year) which would get you AA in the medium terms but at least you are sustaining a current membership anyway.

It is not about the level but the underlying reason for the level. I think my flying will sustain a reasonable level for a few years so am happy to wait with AA.

 

[futaris]

Remember all points earning on AA goes towards the 1MM status. If you really wanted to, you could buy ~160k points a year, via SPG and the AA points.com to get you lifetime status quicker.

That and the dining program (i-dine) for US.

 

[jasonja3]

Another consideration I guess would be the longevity of the airline.

I know very little about AA, but I am fairly confident QF will be around for a while yet, although just how watered down after JQ is anyones guess...

 

[NM]

Another consideration I guess would be the longevity of the airline.

I know very little about AA, but I am fairly confident QF will be around for a while yet, although just how watered down after JQ is anyones guess...

I would not be too worried about the future of any of the US major airlines. The US bankrupcy protection laws pretty much ensure the airlines will either continue operating or merge with another with protection for each airline involved. There have been several very real examples of Australia's company laws not working in the same manner to protect an Australian airline i financial trouble.