Was talking with a CDG-based colleague today who is in his 3rd year as E.

We checked out his ticketed upcoming flights (some intra-Europe on *A partners, X-Mas trip to YUL-YYY) for the remainder of the 2006 qualifying year: he will get to 34,956 Q miles......44 short of 35K.

He will likely do a quick turnaround ex-CDG to FRA or LHR to grab 2 x 250 or 2 x 500 (depending on fares) just to be sure he makes it over.

Anyone here ever been that close (i.e. -44 Q miles) and still get re-confirmed for E status the following year ?