Travel News - How to Fly V.I.P., Perk by Perk

NYT: How to Fly V.I.P., Perk by Perk (http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/travel/how-to-fly-vip-perk-by-perk.html?ref=travel)

Hi All,

This article provides a rundown of possibiliities on obtaining upgrades, better seats (at a price, of course) in economy, lounge access, etc. for non-elite passengers. AA, DL, WN, US, and UA are covered.

One thing that stood out to me was the credit cards. I know many of us know the airlines do try to hawk their respective cards, but it seems benefits of having cards for whatever airline you choose may be appealing to "regular" passengers. I know for DL folks there are many complaints that having an AMEX is not much different than being an FO...minus access to some seats (especially exit rows) and mileage bonuses.

:)

For a regular passenger, who does not know which airline they will fly on until they see which is less expensive or meets their times or whatever, the added annual fee of a credit card that gets them lounge access or baggage fees waived may be too much for them.

Plus not everybody wants a new credit card, and of course, not everybody can qualify for those cards.

For a regular passenger, who does not know which airline they will fly on until they see which is less expensive or meets their times or whatever, the added annual fee of a credit card that gets them lounge access or baggage fees waived may be too much for them.

Plus not everybody wants a new credit card, and of course, not everybody can qualify for those cards.

I agree completely, but IME, the airlines certainly try to get people to apply...good, bad, or otherwise...:rolleyes: