Thanks for the quick reply snod08.

I have still the IAD, CLT, LAX, KUL and possibly JFK flights for this year still to book. I am currently on 32K M+. I was going to reach 1K on M+, but now need to accrue with someone else due to the rumoured changes. It also makes sense to switch now anyway as my home airport is now JNB. Only 1 US carrier flies out of JNB which is Delta. To avoid any pain next year, I need to achieve at least *G by the end of the year with my new programme.

I am also considering SAA voyager programme. They seem to treat 100k (Platinum) very well. They do have preferential seating in Economy, if booked on eligible fare, for Silver and up. My Wife is SAA G and check-in will not give us both preferential seating as I am not SAA G. Their own international 1st class (I am not sure they have any non African route F class anymore) lounge for the use of Platinum and M&M Hon Circle at JNB.

These classes (T, V, L, W, G) only give 0 or 50%, but I would just have to manage this carefully. Unlike the UA website, it is easier to ensure that I avoid these classes, as they actually tell you how many miles you will accrue, just like Lufthansa and have the option to get higher classes.

There is one item which is better than M+ and M&M which is:

"Lifetime Platinum:
To earn this coveted status, you will be required to earn 100 000 Tier Miles on the services of SAA only or the required Sector criteria for Platinum Status for six consecutive years."

Hon Circle would be hard to achieve.

I reckon I can achieve Lifetime Platinum as all my flights for the foreseeable future will orginate from JNB, and the only non SA metal would be KUL (Singapore Airlines via SIN), and US domestic.