Lifetime Membership

The October letter from Miami announced the giving club changes. "Your dedication to Miami is reflected in your status as a lifetime member of the Presidents Club". But the Presidents Club will be reclassified as an annual giving club.

I always kicked myself for not "buying in" to the lifetime membership of the Delta Crown Room back in the 90's. What exactly does lifetime memberships get you - and how much does it cost?

I remember an Accenture consulting assignment with Rex Electronics in Dayton. Visiting the Louisville store a sign stated - Guaranteed lowest price - for life. I questioned the store manager about the advertising (did it violate corporate guidelines of 30 days). He quickly rebutted - "Who really cares" - it is a rare person who comes back to the store with the proper documentation and the value of "for life" vs 30 days was worth the risk.

Lifetime membership is an attempt to get the highest value (benefit) for life at the lowest possible cost. Do we really want a membership in anything that creates a club where "I win and you lose"?

So a lifetime membership is just a bet with other members - who outlives you and who pays more. So I either hope for you to die (less future costs); or for you to pay more than me (you subsidize me). Sounds like a club I don't want to be in.