other 'perks' that some status-top-tier-levels offer (in my case UA-1K and/or Lufthansa Senator)[*]garuanteed seat-availability in any-class if booked 48 hours before flight-time (international travel LH)[*]only 50% miles needed for a partner award-ticket (LH) flying with me in any class (makes international first-class-tickets, paid with 150% miles for two affordable)[*]upgrades from cheapest eco to business on transatlantic-flights home to Europe (LH with miles/vouchers, UA with one of my 6/year system-wide-upgrades) makes me able to really sleep through and to get to work right away when arriving in Zurich at 7:50AM (this really safes me a working-day).[*]faster check-in at airports (LH = first-class-counter, UA = special 1K-line or without luggage at the, for me, free RCC lounge): this one, calculated for a total of about 75 check-ins per year, spares me probably about (75*20') = 1'500 minutes = 25 hours.[*]makes Gisela, when being able to board and fly (upgraded) first-class with me on international long-haule flights, an even happier partner.