Regarding stress and the Freddies and so forth...I totally agree. I guess my personal stress level is somewhat amplfied since I have lifetime elite, and so the changes they make effect me not only in this year but potentially for many years. And for me, switching to another carrier holds a different burden than for most, because it places me out of the don't-worry-about-requalifying mode, a mode which is perhaps the most stress free way to retain elite status of all. In any event, I agree life is too short.