How about yet another option that I just came up with?
'Medallion Qualification Credits' or MQCs
2 credits for discounted (HQKLUT) domestic coach
3 credits for discounted (HQKLUT) international coach
4 credits for domestic F/J and YBM coach
6 credits for non-B/E international business class and discounted B/E (I class)
10 credits for international B/E
And before anyone points it out....I am aware that this earning rate would favor those who fly non-discounted international B/E........but then again, those passengers tend to 'bring in the most money' to airlines and should be rewarded for doing so......do you think?
Disclaimer: All my flying is domestic......so, no personal bias here.
Anyway, these credits would be earned per paid one-way travel (regardless of the number of segments) based on the number of fare basis codes that make up a given ticket.
Basic RTs are comprised of 2 such codes.....one for the outbound and one for the return.....so, a RT would be credited for both.
A multi-city trip on a single ticket is often made up of 3 or more fare basis codes and would get a separate credit for each 'leg' that is represented by its own code.......but not credit for 2 legs booked under a single code due to having a free stopover.
The only thing left to be determined would be the number of points needed to attain each elite level........
A.J.