Added lifetime ST E+ from VN after 1m miles: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/us/e...ip-eligibility

So... if I have no status which of these is the easiest?

It sounds like JAL Global Club used to be the easiest by far (doable in 1 year) but with the new program it's not as easy.

It depends on a lot of factors - what sort of status are you going for? What alliance do you fly?

JAL GC gives you OW Sapphire only, and you can only earn Life Status Points on JAL-group flights. On the other hand, a program like BA will give you top tier status (OW Emerald) and will count all flights from OW partners. A program like AY will count all OW partner flights plus allow you to convert Avios into lifetime mileage to help achieve lifetime status.

For me the most important thing is saving time. So priority check in, security, priority baggage handling, extra bags.
I don't care too much about lounge access (Priority Pass is good enough), priority boarding (we all get there the same time), seating assignments, or waitlists.

By these metrics, *A Gold is good, *A Silver is bad. OW Sapphire is good enough, OW Emerald is overkill, OW Ruby is okay. ST Elite is good enough, ST Elite+ doesn't add much value (baggage handling).
I wonder what airports have fast track for OW Emerald? I remember seeing a lot of *A Gold fast track lanes, but don't remember any for OW...

I am a free agent and fly whatever makes the most sense. Writing this out makes me think that I should have gone for JGC in the old program and still keep flying UA... sigh

For me about 30 years flying UA, with a little help from CO...

Hi, sorry for disturbing, am not sure who to contact if we have a data point to share regarding updates to the summary, I noticed you two mentioning updates so hence why I tagged you both, apologies if I got it wrong.

Want to share a potential update mentioned regarding MH's Enrich program, https://loyaltylobby.com/2024/06/15/...-requirements/

Thanks for sharing! Actually, anyone can update the Wiki at the top of this thread, simply hit the "EDIT" button.

With regards to the MH lifetime status, the consensus seems to be that it is an outrageously high bar to reach.

Welcome. Its a very high bar by MH (I am not defending MH and use myself AY+ instead of MH) and for me I consider it a bit confusing if lifetime status is awarded based on accumulation of Enrich Points NOT Tier Points. Just feel that the data should be featured by the forum for readers consideration, and maybe further investigation, if we feel the data is something we can rely on.

And that's what I would seek the forum to consider, that is if we should feature on the forum information published by a FFP content producer, citing another party which in turn is citing an email from MH. I am completely understanding if its considered something too unreliable to feature, just wanted to tap the wisdom of the forum.

With regards to the wiki at the top, isn't a bit dangerous to let anyone make changes ?

Anyone who can see the [Edit] button can contribute content to a Wikipost, but the button is not visible until 90 days after the member registered on Flyertalk, -and- has contributed 90 posts. You meet this requirements, and should be able to edit any Wikipost.

VA (Virgin Australia) will be launching lifetime gold from 1 October 2025.

“To qualify for Forever Gold, your balance (calculated from 1 February 2013 onwards) must reach a total of 12,000 Status Credits, with a minimum of 9,000 Status Credits earned on eligible Virgin Australia marketed flights, flown by you*.”

They’re not part of any alliance but have many useful partners (UA/CA/QR/NH/SQ)

Hi All,

TP just launched a lifetime tier for their program https://www.flytap.com/en-us/miles-a...tuses/for-life

this is from their webpage, " Gold For Life and Navigator For Life lifetime statuses acknowledge TAP Miles&Go Customers who have reached the impressive milestone of 2 or 3 million Status Miles earned with TAP flights, respectively, ensuring they retain all Gold or Navigator benefits forever.The accumulated Status Miles, designated as Miles For Life, are counted from 1998 and from the date of the Customer's registration, and can be viewed in the reserved area of the website and TAP App"

Great to see another airline offer lifetime status, particularly as it is top tier status (though 3 million miles on TAP is quite difficult to achieve).

I do caution about the longevity of this program as TAP Air Portugal has been an acquisition target for quite some time now...

Thank you both for sharing! Added to wiki.

Could be a way for TAP to negotiate a deal for their most valued lifetime customers to have the TAP Lifetime statuses matched separately from the regular TAP status holders, once someone buys up TAP?

I have added some edits to the Wiki as a few carriers have added tiers, changed requirements and enhanced benefits:

American:

This is the only positive. 4MM and 5MM receive Lifetime Plat Pro and Exec Plat (OWE status). This is great for those who reached those numbers before 2011 when AA counted everything earned.

https://onemileatatime.com/news/amer...miler-program/

United:

A Million Miler must choose between inheriting status from someone or using the privilege to give status. Example scenario: Bob is a 3MM who also earned Global Services, his wife Mary is 2MM (Lifetime Plat). Bob has shared the GS status with his wife, who then would've been able to pass on GS to their son. Mary must now choose whether she shares her Plat status, or gets GS from her husband.

https://onemileatatime.com/news/unit...on_eligibility

Also, let's say a 1MM earns status higher than Premier Gold. Under the old system, the companion would've received the highest status from the 1MM. Now, the companion will only receive Premier Gold regardless what 1MM has qualified for.

https://onemileatatime.com/news/unit...anion-benefit/

British Airways and Iberia:

As you may have heard, BAEC and IB+ went spend based. Lifetime Gold now requires £550K spend, while GGLfL requires a whopping £1.5M spend.

IB Infinita and Infinita Prime require €400K and €640K respectively.

https://www.britishairways.com/conte...-club#lifetime

https://www.iberia.com/us/news-updat...ria-plus-2025/