Last year I was 80 points away from requalifying for Gold - my membership year ends on June 30. I had a return J ticket on LAN Sydney-Auckland booked for 30 June - 2 July.

On 12 June Qantas re-upped my membership, sending me a letter saying that although I had not met the requirements, they were thanking me for my loyalty. That's the 3rd or 4th time they have done that. I was kind of miffed because I could have saved myself the hassle and expense of the status run, but these things are unpredictable.