I don't understand how someone, doc, could be "denied gold" if they "earned it"... i.e. actually flew the required 50,000+ miles. Nor do I understand how someone, Quiet Lion, could fly 100,000 miles a year for two years and "get nothing"... i.e. no platinum status, no domestic upgrades... "nothing", in spite of achieving the more-than-required mileage twice ??

From time to time these cases, or ones similar, are alluded to, without further clarification. Both of these posters have been reliable, helpful contributors on Flyer Talk, and I have valued their opinions. That's why I am disturbed by their reports here, even though what they report is so different from my own experience on NWA.