I wonder if someone could help me to understand how the premier status works for the ff programs? I am getting the idea that you have to travel 25,000 or so miles in one calendar year to qualify for the basic premier level. After this I am unclear. It seems to me that people are trying desperately to gain a few extra miles to get a certain status before year end. Does this mean that if you fly so many miles in one year, you get that status for the following year (calendar year)? If so, and you gain enough miles for the next level within a month or two, do you then have to wait till then next calendar year for the next level of benefits? Or am I totally off base?

Thanks!