Skyteam Associate Member... they might as well be on the moon. For all intents and purposes, this is absolutely meaningless for a Skyteam Frequent Flyer. It would one thing if it meant the airline would be a full member within "X" months, but this Associate Membership seems to be some sort of indeterminate purgatory. No miles earned, no miles burned, no upgrades, no codeshares... unless you happen to be a FF member of the sponsoring airline. So what's the point? I just don't get this whole "Associate Member" BS.

Sorry for the rant.