I used try to keep top-tier elite status in many airline programs at the same time, but now when it happens it happens mostly as an afterthought. I do have lifetime elite status with some airlines, so there is that angle too.

Letting airline programs decide where to send your business should happen at narrower margins than ever before. The airline management teams will flush customers down the toilet as fast as they can say "management bonus" -- even top tier elites.

My main reason to want elite status with so many airlines was so I could have better airline handling of my calls, but the speed and quality or handling of my phone calls has declined such that I just don't see that as being as much of a reason to care about this stuff like I used to do.