Originally Posted by
Brussels traveller
I would definitely value it and I believe it also makes a lot of sense from the airline's point of view. Heres why: I typically get enough tier points to re-up my Gold status about 2 months into the membership year. I have no further motivation to stick to the carrier (apart from the miles - which you can get anywhere).
My guess is that once you achieve lifetime status, you probably won't even do the 2 months of flying that you do now with EK to achieve Gold status. The moment one has 'permanent' status, there is nothing left to achieve so most people will try to achieve status in another airline for some sundry perk or benefit that appeals to them more. The aim of the airline is to get more business from you year after year, more akin to an 'annuity'. One way to do that is to make your top tier extremely 'select', where the benefits are extremely generous and entry miles required very high, so that people have to strive really hard year after year to achieve it, but when they do achieve it, it will feel well worth it. That will encourage them to fly again and again with EK.