Let me add that my former boss's successor asked for the same Invitation status knowing his predecessor had it. He was declined and told that this type of membership will not be given out anymore.

I doubt this is totally true but I think the message is tey do not want to encourage this type of membership. Unless you are influencing many people to travel with CX there would be no benefit to offer this to someone who is flying and may end up travelling somewhere else knowing his membership with CX is safe.