I understand the need for these limited offers: desperate times call for desperate measures.

I can also understand CO no longer wanting to give lifetime elite status for five years of flying. That does offer a disincentive to continue after attainment.

Yet the 1 million mile threshold of AA, DL, & UA, and 2 Million on AA & DL, and 4 million on DL, are something that can take years to reach. They serve as a motivator for long-term loyalty. When attained, they are often used in retirement. If there is not much flying then, the cost to the carrier is not great.

Despite being a life member of the Presidents Club and living near a CO hub at GUM, I have shifted the bulk of my flying to UA -- despite being 1600+ miles from the nearest UA city at NRT. Why?

Because UA offers me this long term incentive. CO and NW do not, applying instead the "What have you done for us lately?" philosophy. I contend this is short-sighted.

I have repeatedly made the suggestion for a lifetime status threshold on various "input requested" FT threads sponsored by CO management. They either aren't listening, have other priorities, or have considered and rejected the proposal for various and sundry reasons.

Management of the One Pass system is solely within the prerogative of CO, which has to do what is best for achieving revenue figures to serve the best interests of its shareholders.

However, I would contend that the entire reason for loyalty programs would be reflected in and supported by a long-term lifetime status goal for One Pass members.

Give it another thought.

If CO offered the prospect of lifetime elite status upon attaining one or two million actual flight miles (including 500-mile segment minimum), I'd be back to CO Gold or Platinum in a heartbeat.