Originally Posted by
YXXFlyer
I find it hard to imagine how shifting the status level qualification could work without applying it alliance-wide.
Why would you say that? Within *A, qualification for *G varies quite widely.
Until the 2013 benefit year, *G was actually comparatively easy to get on AC (believe it or not) - 35k miles vs 50k on UA for example.
I think LH requires 100k (!!!!) status miles for *G.
Of course different earnings rates for different fare classes between *A programs makes this a difficult direct comparison - but certainly status qualification criteria across the alliance is not uniform.