I don't understand why not. The "lifetime" membership is really just prepaying for 15 years. AA figures that you will break even in 15 years, and therefore reserves the right to terminate your lifetime status at that point without having to pay you any compensation.

Of course, it would be much better if "lifetime" actually meant a membership for your entire natural life, but that doesn't fit AA's current business model.

HOWEVER, you STILL COME OUT AHEAD, even if AA decides to cancel the lifetime memberships after 15 years. Why, you ask? Well, by purchasing a "lifetime" membership and having it canceled after 15 years, you still have received 15 whole years of membership at the 2005 pricing (which, according to several posters, will go up considerably in years to come).

So, while you might not be getting a full lifetime membership for $5300, at least you are locking in the current rates for AT LEAST 15 years, if not much longer (hopefully much longer)!

For me (early 20s), it's VERY tempting.