Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - QMiles question

I am a bit puzzled regarding status on QR. According to their programme guide one does only move between status levels on January 1 each year. So, if I join today and say would qualify for gold by September I would remain on nothing level until 01.01.08. At least that's how I interpret the rules. I find that a bit odd. Usually one would move up the ranks on qualifying.

Can anyone confirm this?

I am a bit puzzled regarding status on QR. According to their programme guide one does only move between status levels on January 1 each year. So, if I join today and say would qualify for gold by September I would remain on nothing level until 01.01.08. At least that's how I interpret the rules. I find that a bit odd. Usually one would move up the ranks on qualifying.

Can anyone confirm this?

No, elite qualification works the same way as in all other programs - you move up a level when you qualify. I joined in March this year and after a trip at the end of May, I qualified for Silver - checked my account two days after and the miles were already posted, together with the change in my status from Burgundy to Silver.

So does this mean that if I were to get a Gold designation on Sept. 07 that by Jan 1. 2008 I would no longer have the Gold card and would need to start all over again?

No, elite qualification works the same way as in all other programs - you move up a level when you qualify. I joined in March this year and after a trip at the end of May, I qualified for Silver - checked my account two days after and the miles were already posted, together with the change in my status from Burgundy to Silver.

Thanks, I thought so.

So does this mean that if I were to get a Gold designation on Sept. 07 that by Jan 1. 2008 I would no longer have the Gold card and would need to start all over again?

No, just like most other airlines, the Qpoints you earn between Jan 1 and Dec 31 2007 go toward qualification for status in 2008. However, if you earn your status earlier during the 2007 year, you will get the upgraded status as soon as you earn it, and it will be valid for 2008 as well.

Received my Silver card two days ago and it says "Valid Until 02/09" - so basically, to reiterate, if you earn elite status today, it is valid not only for the rest of 2007, but also for the 2008 membership year, which like most other airlines, runs until February of the following year (in this case 2009).

And BTW, I am very impressed with QR's very quick updates - basically, my miles were posted just 1-2 days after my QR flight, and the new status updated on the website witihn 1 day after (or maybe even at the same time as the miles posting). The new credentials arrived about two weeks after qualification.