There are other ways to get lifetime AC membership. One is with AAirpass, where AC membership comes free. The other is by earning lifetime Qantas Gold (OW Sapphire), which you get with about 10 years of basic Emerald level qualifying (I am about half way there)...of course, you get free AC access, with free drinks, during each of the years you qualify for at least QF Sapphire as well.