In my opinion, most folks who cross a million miles ever earned threshold probably have no clue 1) they did, 2) it is meaningful in any way, and 3) have less of a clue they earned lifetime status of any kind, much less 500 mile upgrades. Only a few are among the truly obsessed and are aware... so while we may find the verbiage parsimonious and colorless, I suspect the unknowing / surprised might actually like it.

Even some AA employees are not so clued - at BWI, where I suspect they don't have the number of eggsplats pas through as, say, IAD, one employee of some years' duration saw my card and exclaimed "Wow! 3 million miles - that's a serious achievement!" 'Tis obvious he never browsed these pages, where we have at least one member with 16M.

BTW, congratulations, Steve! The next M comes easier, and with nicer gifts (the 4 VIPs.)