Varig's programme (Smiles) upgrades you based always on your latest 12 months. If you start accruing miles now they'll always look back how many miles have you flown in the last 12 months and oooops you earn a status for the remainder of the year plus next year.

Varig similar to Lufthansa's once you get to their top level (Diamond/Senator) you become *A Gold for two years.

I do think Varig and Lufthansa excellent programs as they enable you to accrue miles toward upper levels at anytime and always count your best performance. Others, unfortunately, count from Jan to Dec.

Pay attention to additional bonus some Progrs offer you (LH namely) as sometimes their awards are also more difficult to get as they require more points. LH is specially designed for Business and First Class Passengers.