This pain is also felt by those lower volume flyers who buy premium fares.

Latitude still gets the same # of Status Miles as Tango Plus and discount Executive First still gets a mere 25% COS. It is completely disproportionate to the cost of these premium fares.

If AC is adamant in refusing to give better recognition of those buying premium fares, many will likely go to UA which gives 50% COS on full economy and all business class fares putting Star Gold status within easy reach with 2 business class roundtrips from North America to Asia.

The only thing missing with a UA *G and AC *G is access to the UC when flying from the US. UC North American lounges are nothing great to write home about anyway.