I actually think the idea of "buying" top status is quite a good idea. I did a LOT of flying two - three years ago and I spend a LOT of money on my Credit Cards (over $5 million a year). As a result I have so many FF points I ALMOST dont know what to do with them.

Now I would class myself a regular flyer who travels maybe once a week maybe on a 50/50 mix of International and Domestic (within Australia and all in F - to burn up more points ). This pattern would be enough to earn me top status on any airline but I am stuck with "no status" as my flying is on all Non-Rev FF fares.

Some people will say that I dont actually give the airlines any money but in my view I give them (through Amex / Diners / Visa) 5,000,000 points a year @ $0.008 per point (approx what the cards companies pay the airlines) = $40,000, which is more than most top tier people here would contribute to an airlines revenue (I see no distinction between Amex paying for points on my behalf and an employer paying for my revenue flights).

I can understand no points on award flights, but why not status credits or at least allow me to buy my status (with points maybe )?