<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">A former moderator (? -- or at least active participant) on the Qantas board lost his entire account balance for a stunt like this.</font>
I guess after re-reading the thread, which I hadn't since the original events were discussed almost 1-1/2 years ago, and various later-added links (including a comment by the owner of this website in one of them), I should amend my quote as follows:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">An active participant on the Qantas board (and future moderator of another board) allegedly lost his entire account balance, putatively for a stunt like this.</font>
I wouldn't want to be accused of defaming a well-regarded fellow lawyer. And no, no one told me to make this edit!
To stay on topic, yes, an easy accumulation of miles to reach the next status is generally worth it.
[UBB edit in second quote.]
[This message has been edited by SPN Lifer (edited Dec 04, 2003).]