thanks, your explanation is still largely a non-airline [real world] logical persons supposition of what the "facts' will be :: because as we observe here on FT: buy ups, buy ins, status matches, corporate rates/status, and challenges all occur frquently. --- Is it this way on other airlines?? I don't know, as my max status out there has only been under 50Kmiles/yr. All I know is that I am already thinking of cancelling my AA Citi world elite MC, buying flights on which ever airline makes the most $ and travel time sense {when before I'd take a 2+ hr lay over to fly AA to keep status}, and utilize the other Oneworld partners for international travel, especially those modern new super lux geared airlines with their sparkling product and often lower prices} cheers!