that's how the EC (European Community) anti-trust judges frequent-flyer-programs. And they try to force Lufthansa to open their Miles&More program to (low cost) smaller airlines.

Pgupta011 and all you guys... in the real
world all I would be happy if an airline would go one year without changing ANYTHING
(boosting award levels, taking away more
benefits.) Then I won't have to worry about
reading and highlighting in yellow marker
all the changes so I don't get any surprises
when I try to use awards.

Remember... if it's not broken why try to fix it? CATMAN

let's take (enjoy?) it as it is - otherwise we would be out of any news here - BORING.

MileageAddict, about your #3 item...in route, on demand stopovers. In Russia, that can actually be done! A few years ago on 20/20, they had a segment on commercial air travel in Russia. 20/20 reported that that if you have a moderate amount of money to bribe the pilots, they WILL stop at the destination of your choice! no kidding. But on the down side, when the plane needs parts in order to fly, the pilots go around with a collection plate and let the plane just sit at gate until they get enough money!

Catman: On your birthday, 50 of your friends get to fly with you FIRST CLASS. Think of what making that possible might do for the rest of us in the future.

I think getting to bring 50 friends would be a moot point ... if you're an airline's single most frequent flyer you'd be lucky to have 2 friends *grin*.

What I want for my birthday is all my airlines and hotels to tell me "We're not changing a thing for you and frequent flyers
everywhere." That's what I want for everyone.

Beckles, that is true but my closest friends
(who are stunned by the traveling I do) know
that I never missed the big moments in their
lives (weddings, births, crisis management.)
But in teh process I'm getting them on board
frequent flyer programs and helping them
learn how to get free tickets and upgrades
and avoid the frustrations I have over the years.

PhilForest, it is my dream to fly 50 friends
on my birthday someplace special (Paris, Vegas, Cairns, Australia) but a problem could
arise... my birthday's 12-31, which EVERYONE
Celebrates. CATMAN

Catman: My point really was that if you could get 50 first class seats on an airplane, there'd be enough for all of us to upgrade - except, of course, on the flight where you used all of them.

I stand corrected. If there are 50 First Class seats on any plane that are available
then I must be dreaming.

PhilForest... sorry about the confusion.
As one of my other friends pointed out I may
have a lot of angry frequent flyers if I
take ALL of the seats. (Probalby the best
thing is just take the plane for my friends.)

And yes PhilForest you and some of the guys
here would be included on my little trip.
CATMAN

Awesome old thread that deserved to be resurrected. Enjoy.

CIP.

Especially when some get it by accident.

WOW! A seven year bump. ^

I've got nothing to add.

Playing with the number in the thread URL can lead to interesting results, can't it?

Yes, good fun!

So why, if you put 1 in the URL, do you not get the first ever thread on FT??


And in answer to the OP, I can't imagine how distressed I'll be when I've reached lifetime PPS....