Going back to the original topic, I think the key point is that AM is pretty mediocre as an earn-and-burn program (unless you live in HK where there are more on-the-ground earning opportunities that might be better than what you'd find in other programs or are a hub-captive Y flyer where it would be hard or impossible to credit lower fares to other ow programs). But it's quite good as a status-recognition program. Published benefits for status-holders are generous even at the lower tiers -- lounge access for SL, seat guarantee on lower EY fares for GO -- and as many posts on FT attest, the unpublished benefits also are far ahead of what many other carriers offer. It boils down to which side of the program is more important to you.