Originally Posted by
jackal
A year ago, I'd have said that for someone for whom the route network works, shooting for 1MM/lifetime Gold would be a worthwhile goal if only to ensure they'll always have the option of booking a flight without having to worry about a change fee.
Given the rate of devaluation of Mileage Plan, I am no longer nearly as confident that benefit will remain available for much longer, so I certainly would not consider that benefit when considering whether to bother with 1MM. And with that benefit gone, there isn't much of a reason left to pursue Gold, IMHO.
My perspective changed similarly in the last year or so. If I put some thought into it, I could finish up MM in about 6-7 more years. But with the rate things have been changing around here, it's just not worth it. The odds are just too high that AS will yank the benefit, change their minds about awarding MM status, or impose some other ridiculous limitation (use funds within x days, max changes/$xx per year, etc.).
Even if I did make MM and AS had miraculously left the change fee waiver in place, there's still the ever-looming threat of a merger/takeover by another airline. I would say it's probable that at some point in the next 10 years, AS will be gobbled up by United Delt-ican Airlines, and in recognition of their status, AS MM'ers will be awarded a complimentary 6 months of "Aluminum" elite membership in the Last Global Alliance (benefits: board in Group 17 and check up to one pair of cuff-links for free).