Some of us have lost up to 50k.

If Diamond Club qualification was based on calendar year, we wouldn't even be discussing this. I mean, if you requalified for 2007 status on UA by 1 Feb 2006, you wouldn't be asking for them to move your membership year forward by 10 months just for you.

A better idea, and much discussed already on this board, would be to create a higher tier (a la UA 1K) or a trigger mechanism for extra benefits above a certain mileage threshold, such as more vouchers () better preferential seating or the waiving of change fees in certain cases.

If Diamond Club starts instantly resetting the membership year of every Gold who hits 38k then 1. she will be very busy and 2. we'll be soon working with light years instead of calendar years.