Rudi mentioned it some years back, and then I recently got an e-mail invitation since it looks as though I won't be able to requalify this year (dratted August '04 changes in mileage earning - I'd have remained "golden" under the old rules).

You're right, it is quite a pricetag. I could maybe see it in the old days when they would advance you up to 160,000 award miles if you were a SEN and had lots of special promotions for SEN, but I'm not at all sure current benefits warrant the price.