What an excellent response GoldFlyer. You owe me a new laptop, as mine will surely stop working with the amount of tea I just spewed all over it, as I cannot drink and laugh at the same time What would Mother say?

I'm ambivalent about QF Lifetime Gold, as I'm only half-way there. Being a QP Life gives me the same access benefits anyway (other than the extra mileage). But if I retain Plat or Gold (at the very least) for the next 3-5 years then I'd be getting 50% or 100% mileage uplift anyway and I'd achieve LT Gold (assuming it's still on offer) and be guaranteed 50% mileage bonus (until they take away the Lifetime benefit).

That was one of the major reasons I split my earning to QF and AA in 2003/4 and beyond. Now my 2007/08 plans (always subject to change) are that I am crediting all flights to QF (and points from my ANZ and Citibank Visa as QF is the only viable option - not that I earn may points through them anyway). All my Amex points are credited to AA (flushed through Starwood) and minor other benefits (HHonors double dipping, the odd car rental). That way, eventually I might get AA Lifetime Gold and/or Plat (unless they too are taken away before I reach them).

I just can't trust QF implicity like I used to - perhaps a sign of increasing age (or maturity perhaps ). Being a financial planner, risk management (reduction) is close to my heart.