I have read the discussion about lesser FF miles or higher requirements from the car rental firms, but how about the airlines?

British Airways only gives FF miles in certain classes, never in the "Q" class for instance. In the past I was able to get around this by electing to post the miles to USAIR(ways), but that strategy came to nought with their divorce. I was neither here or there! I am tired of waiting for the BA-AA tie up. (I am not so enamored with Richard B's complaints).

Last week BA and First USA offered a new VISA card and a possibility of 15,000. I am in Vienna at the moment, and about to fly to the US. I made a desperate attempt to apply for this new card, (800 numbers are not accessible) there is a proviso that the last 5k miles will be posted only after the first flight with BA after getting the card, therefore, I booked my flight with BA. Like an idiot I shared my 'good' news with the local BA office personnel, perhaps its because they are Austrian (not consumer oriented at all), they gloated in glee, that I wasn't on a "published fare". This despite the fact that BA has indeed published the "special fare" I am using in the local paper.

Sorry to go on and on. My point is, that I am being cheated out of a good number of FF miles and will never get elevated to a higher status. From Vienna to the US, BA is the cheapest and judging from their last earnings report a few days ago, they need me. Go figure, as they say.