That's 2k [according to the OP], 1k was merely a mock figure of mine to reiterate that, given the circumstances (and that those 2/3 flights a month could even be through a different alliance), I would not even be prepared to pay for the latter (unless the aforementioned flying habits would shift towards something less 'sporadic'). Above all, however, each to their own as ever (in that sense, I must admit that, despite my 16+ flights on a monthly basis, the only big plus of Gold/Elite Plus status across 2 alliances is lounge access at outstations and indeed fast track during peak months - something that, with a flying activity ranging between 20 and 30 flights a year, I could smoothly do without)

G