I am a newbie to miles. I'm also a newbie to FlyerTalk and I know there's not much worse on a forum than a complete newbie starting a new thread. Still, I hope you'll go easy on me.

I am interested in programs with lifetime status. I don't really care about things like award flights as I'm not going to be using them. What I'm after is status including things like lounge access, speedier things etc. I'm a little too old to be starting on the miles journey but my children are not. They're about to earn over 10000 Emirates miles on a one-way flight if I sign them up. I'm quite keen to start putting their miles into something long-term where they can earn lifetime status one day. They're not going to be frequent business flyers for a while but like the savings accounts I've opened for them I imagine one day if miles still exist they'll be able to benefit from a bit of status.

I wonder what my best bet is to try and put their miles into a lifetime program? Noting Emirates partners it looks like Qantas is a possibility. They'll be based in Asia for a couple of years at least so it isn't a bad option.

If I was planning for the long-term rather than looking to maximise my immediate awards, where should this newbie be looking?


Thanks