David:

I have long thought there's a great anthropolological study in the appeal of frequent-traveller schemes: the quest for status via quantifiable, programmatic means, the deep absorption in tiers and recognition levels, the disproportionate lust for "validation badges" (special luggage tags, etc.) of comparatively little real value... it has created an obsessively tiered, compulsive self-organizing, highly intelligent international subculture. (Of which I am a Platinum card-carrying member.)

I wish I had time to run the study and write the thesis myself, but feel free to email me for help with yours.