Originally Posted by
DownUnderFlyer
Yes.
Why doesn't it make sense? This is how most lifetime status programs are designed (UA, QF, Tk, AA). They reward long term loyalty. The big exception is LH M&M and BD DC which require status in order to get lifetime status.
IMHO it can make perfect sense to give someone Platinum if she has been a Gold or Diamond member for 12 years and flown more than 1MM miles. In reality, it will be difficult to ever make Platinum without being Diamond Plus. Possible, but not likely.
Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. Your example shows how OZ will reward even frequent flyers who don't fly enough to get status if they fly long enough with lifetime status. What I am saying is that someone who flies a whole lot is not rewarded with a certain status (Diamond Plus) before getting to the highest level. The two cases are opposites, though in both cases a level is never attained. It makes sense to allow steady but low-mileage customers skip levels. It doesn't make sense for the best high-mileage customers to be denied levels.