Originally Posted by
Malarchy
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
Status qualifications reset yearly, except for the "lifetime miles" counter. Several programs offer lifetime status with a "million miler" program, but that's obviously a long, long way off for your children. You won't be able to achieve them any kind of status unless they're flying a LOT every year, since it resets yearly. In my opinion, your best bet is simply that--a bet. Pick an airline they're likely to fly with the most--preferably one that codeshares with multiple prominent partners. This gives the best positioning down the road, but a ton will depend on what happens to loyalty programs over the next couple decades, where they live, where they work, etc.