At 35k, I think AC is the cheapest one out there, although OZ's card is - like SEN - valid for 3 years. However, given the card is only worth something if you use it, I don't think you can argue that for the 100k it takes to qualify, by dividing by three you get an effective rate

One other thing about OZ though is requalification - just 40k over 3 years and you get another 3 years tacked on the end

Anyway, as I look at the prospect of a status-free 2005, if I really cared about getting *S then one of these £50 fares would do the trick. However, my thinking is that given i'll be flying C (or F), it's better to just forego the status and have the freedom to pick the cheapest or most convenient flights.

(That's probably the most offensive thing you can say on FT, isn't it)