I don't think we need to worry about 2001 since major changes in tiers or benefits (except at the Prestige level, which they promised to improve) will be negligible from those made this year. But it is in 2002 that this refinement would likely come into being, and notice should be given at the start of the new year 2001 program. I've given a lot of thought about the implications -- as you have -- since our meeting, and don't think people should panic until we know all the details, and they certainly have not yet been worked out.

I have always maintained that SE/EP is a difficult target for someone doing primarily domestic travel to achieve. It is a simple matter to get 100K Q-miles if you are an MP travelling across the country every week, or cross the Atlantic or Pacific once a month, or shuttle between YYC-YVR or YYZ-YOW/YUL every week (using segments to qualify). Sales people and road warrior will have the travel plus the full fares, for the most part, so as not to worry about a new regime of flight miles and dollars spent.

But E/G is easier to reach at the current 35K by blending a domestic travel sked with two international trips during a given year, even as mileage runs. I will have requalified for E/G after SYD later this month, having made a couple of trips to YVR, one each to YHZ and LHR, plus the SYD one. All told, I will have spent slightly more than $3K taxes included. I was able to use my Cdn+ "old" stickers on all but the YHZ trip, for which I paid $150 more and used the "new" ones. (While we don't get 125%, the 100% on discounted domestic fares helped with about 3K Q-miles.) So I can't complain. Even if this tier goes to 50K, it will still be achievable with a mileage run across the Pacific for about $1,400, or on a seat sale around $1,000.

P/C can be achieved with a single trip to HKG or SYD from most places in Canada. Two such trips, and a transcon, will get you E/G at the current levels. And at discounted fares, this is pretty cheap. On full fares, it can be up to 5x more expensive.

A new tier at 75K would likely be tailored to the primarily domestic traveller, while the 100K to the needs of the international traveller. On that grounds, I can see some shifting of current SE benefits to fulfill specific needs of domestic versus international travel, as well as revenue generated. What these are, I couldn't venture. Upgrade opportunities would be a sure feature, but tied into the "credits" program that the proposed automated "bank" would provide for.

Don't think I really answered your query, but am adding some possibilities others might like to explore. We were given some possibilities at our meeting, but as I say, I don't think even M. Trudeau and company even know how this might work. Maybe we should post something on the TWA site, since they have already introduced mileage/revenue-based elite qualification criteria.