I think we are starting to go a little off topic here. Anyway, my sense is that almost all airline benefits can be bought with a business/first class ticket. Elites used to be taken care of better with elite desks etc., but all of that has been watered down. It’s quite transactional now with credit card spend weighing heavily. At least in the US.
With hotels the differentiator can be relationships with individual hotels, which meaningfully increase status benefits in a way money can’t buy. And they aren’t subject to annual requalification.
Originally Posted by
thbe
There are two main differences between airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Airline programs usually do not let award flights count toward status, while hotel programs generally do. So in hotels, it often makes little difference to your status whether you stay on a paid rate or on points. With airlines, the distinction between paid flights and award flights is far more important. An award-focused flight strategy therefore usually means less status, or lower status, over time.
And hotel programs are, in large part, about saving money. Most perks can ultimately be bought. Top-tier airline status is a different animal altogether. It materially changes the travel experience, and many of its most important benefits are hard to buy with money alone.