Hi,

I'm VERY new to this forum (first post), and I joined primarily to seek for some help. I'm not even sure if this is the right place to post, and if it isn't I'm hoping someone can guide me to the right direction. I've pretty much already chosen an airline I want to be dedicated to, and I'm trying to get advice from people who have a lot of experience with the specific airline I have chosen. I want to be able to achieve "status" and having business/first upgrades, lounge access, discounted airfare, etc. to be a normal thing. I don't mind applying for a card, flying often, etc. I would just like to have that status. One thing I should tell you guys is I don't fly for business, and I do use my own personal money to travel. I plan to travel most of the time with my significant other and a pet (carry-on pet). While I'm not rich and can't afford to buy upgrades outright, I do save a lot of my money to try and go on short 3-5 day vacations every couple months. It's safe to assume that I'm willing to fly 5-6 times a year domestically, and once a year internationally (to Thailand from US). So if anyone can help me get on the right track to get me eligible for upgrades, cheap airfare, etc. I'd be willing to do what you tell me to do. I figured some of you might know some easy ways to achieve status, like go on certain flights often, etc. Certain cards to apply for, certain deals to take advantage of that give bonus miles, etc. The airline I have chosen is Delta. I will fill out the questionnaire below.

1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
(e.g., upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access)
Reply: Upgrades, upgrades, upgrades, GUARANTEED upgrades, not last minute counter asking upgrades. I have no problem paying for tickets (reasonable priced) if I'm some premium member getting guaranteed complimentary upgrades. I'm not looking for a program to get free tickets, I'll pay, I just want the free upgrades since I'm going to try and fly often :P

2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
(e.g., <25000, 25000-50000, >50000 miles and <25, 25-50, >50 flights?)
Reply: <25,000 miles, 4-6 flights, would be a lot more if flying out of my airport domestically was under $200 round trip lol, but I have to pay for me and my wife, so in my eyes the airfare doubles :P

3. What fare class do you usually buy?
(e.g., first, business, premium economy, economy)
Reply: premium economy for international, economy for domestic

4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
Reply: I choose Delta, and I travel for pleasure.

5. Which routes do you fly most often
(e.g., U.S. domestic, transatlantic, intra-Asia)
Reply: US domestic, but I do go to Asia (Thailand) once a year.

6. What is your home airport?
(e.g., SFO, LHR, HKG)
Reply: SGF (Springfield-Branson Regional Airport)

7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in a FFP, if any?
(e.g., AA Executive Platinum, UA 1K, LAN Comodoro)
Reply: No status, I want status lol.

8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
Reply: Delta preferred because of friendly international pet policy. We refuse to board if our pet can't board with us.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help out!! I really would love to make more trips, but I can't afford it because flying out of SGF is expensive. If Delta gave me $200-400 round-trip prices + upgrades to any airport domestically I would fly so much more often!! but being an average customer, paying average prices all the time I can't fly as often I want to know the tricks everyone uses for their cheap airfare and upgrades! I've talked to a few people that tell me they don't even fly that often and get the hook-ups! someone show me the ways!

thanks!!