“I Flew 100K Miles Last Year. I Don’t Have Status With A Single Airline”
Anya Kartashova August 16, 2019
Last calendar year, I flew almost 100,000 miles (my apologies to Earth). And no, this is not a humble brag. I’m providing context because what I’m about to say next might surprise you: I don’t have elite status with any airline and frankly, I don’t care to earn one.
Award Tickets Don’t Earn Miles
I’ll start with the obvious reason. A good portion of my globetrotting last year was covered with points and miles, and award tickets don’t earn redeemable miles. Still, I flew quite a bit on revenue tickets and probably could’ve earned status with at least one airline had I stuck to flying on a single alliance. But I didn’t.
I Choose Cheap Flights
The second reason I don’t hold elite status with a single airline is rather simple: I don’t spend enough money. When I do pay cash, I like to chase cheap fares, not status, and the operating airline has little to no significance when it comes to decision time (it has to be reliable, of course). I don’t pick a carrier based on which alliance it belongs to or how many elite segments I’d earn. If the price is low enough and I like the destination, then I book it.
This strategy, unfortunately, hurts my chances at earning any kind of elite status. Many airlines have shifted their loyalty programs to award those flyers who spend the most money by either buying last-minute or business-class tickets. And because I buy neither, I earn the bare minimum, which isn’t enough for even the lowest-tier status.
Gone are the days of earning tons of redeemable miles and elite status from buying low-cost and long-distance flights. It no longer works this way, but I won’t pay more just to earn an arbitrary symbol of importance.
Low Status Is Hardly Worth Anything
Which brings me to the next, and perhaps the most important, point. Passengers with low-level elite status are barely a step above the mere mortals flying on the same aircraft. Let’s use Delta Air Lines and its Silver Medallion status, the lowest elite level, as an example. It’s possible to earn it by completing the following requirements:
- Flying 25,000 Medallion Qualification Miles or 30 Medallion Qualification Segments
and
- Spending $3,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars (on airfare only, taxes excluded)
As a Silver Medallion Delta flyer, you’re eligible for complimentary upgrades to Comfort+ (premium economy) and First Class starting 24 hours before departure (when available), or Delta One upgrades on the day of departure (when available). You also get to check a bag for free and qualify for priority boarding. And if that’s not enough to sway you, a fancy luggage tag displaying your status will be mailed to you so you can attach it to your bag.
Seriously? Half of those benefits (the useful ones anyway) apply to the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card members, and the upgrades may not even be available on the day of departure. Obviously, the point is to earn the highest level of elite status to reap the most benefits and earn the most perks, but it’s out of reach for most travelers of the non-road-warrior variety.
Interestingly enough, I keep flying enough miles most years with Delta and its partners to reach Silver. It’s the constantly increasing spending requirement that keeps me from actually earning it.
In Conclusion
In some cases, sticking to a single airline alliance requires spending more money and flying less convenient itineraries, but the reward doesn’t outweigh the cost. To me, chasing status isn’t worth losing control of where I want to travel and how much it’s going to cost me. Upgrades sound nice, but if I really wanted to fly in business class, I have credit card rewards for that.
What do you think about earning elite status with airlines? Do you think it’s worth to pay more and possibly forgo convenience to stay loyal?
[Featured Image: Shutterstock]
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I fly about 75- 80 flights a year for work on my own dime as I'm self-employed. I don't chase status and only buy cheapest flights but because of my volume of flights I always get highest status on my chosen airline which is for domestic flights Southwest Airlines. I also.use Chase Southwest Airlines cards for all expenses. This allows me to have A-list preferred status which enables me to be very first to board plane, free checked bags, no fees for changing or cancelling flight, double points on all flights, free same day standby for earlier flight. I earn enough points per year to get about 20 + free flights per year while still earning enough points to retain my status. I book most my flights months in advance and why I prefer Southwest Airlines is because of no change fees, and same day free standby. I also have Star Alliance Gold status and Diamond plus lifetime status on Asiana Airlines which give me free checked bags and free unlimited business or first class lounge access worldwide when i fly any Star Alliance airline. I.use this mainly for my 3 times a year flight to Philippines. Yes having status is nice but I won't ever pay extra just to earn it. I earn it by frequent flying on cheap flights rather than paying extra
I like the ability to purchase a reasonable F/J flight, like the MIA-MEX J ticket I booked for $550 RT, on UA. I will have the miles post on the TAP flyer program and not worry about Millage Plus. If you look for premium cabin deals, you don't need status and just build miles in non-US based programs. There are less upgrades, because US airlines are selling First Class tickets at a steal of a deal.
What a worthless article. I won't even board a plane without an exit aisle (or F, but on domestic I prefer the greater pitch of the exit to F), and this is only available (in advance) as an elite. We (and most readers for other reasons granted, maybe because of check baggage fee, desire to upgrade, etc.) are different than you, duh!
My god, I would pay $100,000s to avoid doing half the things people chose to do to get status. And my god, I'm not poor but the "value" you get from even top-tier status is shocking. I'd much much much rather spend my money on actual premium life experiences.
When I was a true road warrior, flying so often I felt homeless, airline status meant convenience and comfort, with flights paid by my employer. But it’s all changed these days. Now I fly for pleasure or professional necessity on my own dime and pick flights based on price and convenience. I don’t chase elite status as it’s become harder to earn and the rewards are relatively insignificant and not cost effective. I’d rather book the best flights for ME and not to boost a particular airlines bottom line through misguided loyalty that doesn’t pay off well enough to make it worthwhile.