D, cracking analysis there and saves me from doing all the maths, thanks (admittedly, I hadn't really made any particular effort to look at the new earning rules). That being said and on a wider reflection, it is painfully obvious that, this year just gone, I was able to get above the threshold mostly thanks to the generous F fares from our favourite Warsaw-based carrier, this despite the ridicolous amount of flying (which got me sick by the end of the year and clearly showed the difficulty in terms of attaining status that "matters" through M&M, at least for "short-haul commuters" like myself). As your helpful input goes to show, things should get slightly easier as of this year (clearly not for those travelling LOT from the "regions" and I do agree with you on the shooting themselves in the foot...). P.S.: C fares significantly up as opposed to last year, when Basia (even in the middle of the summer) would kindly offer a return trip from/to my usual ports as low as 300 GBP...

G