<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mrukk:
I wonder if someone could help me to understand how the premier status works for the ff programs? I am getting the idea that you have to travel 25,000 or so miles in one calendar year to qualify for the basic premier level. After this I am unclear. It seems to me that people are trying desperately to gain a few extra miles to get a certain status before year end. Does this mean that if you fly so many miles in one year, you get that status for the following year (calendar year)? If so, and you gain enough miles for the next level within a month or two, do you then have to wait till then next calendar year for the next level of benefits? Or am I totally off base? 
Thanks!</font>
The rules of every individual program vary, but in general...
The first level of elite status for most airlines kicks in after you've flown 25,000 miles in a calendar year on that airline (there are exceptions -- 15k miles on Alaska is enough to be MVP).
Once you've earned that status, it's good more or less immediately (it may take a few days for the airline's computer to "sweep" for new elites, and you may have to have the airline take your mileage number out of any existing reservations and re-enter it in order to get them to recognize your new status).
Your status earned in one calendar year will be good through the end of the next calendar year (and then generally though the end of Feb of the following year, to give them time to mail out cards and such to re-qualifiers). E.g. qualify in October, 2002 for Premier status on United and that status will be good through February, 2004.
Once you qualify for one level, you keep on going until you hit the next level. Say I qualify for Premier in June 2002. Then I hit United's Premier Executive (50,000 miles flown) in October, 2002. I'm not a Premier Executive through February 2004.
The benefits of elite status vary, but often include...
- complimentary domestic upgrades
- some levels and programs include international upgrades
- pre-boarding of aircraft
- special checkin (usually with first class)
- bonus miles for flying
- some airlines have special availability for frequent flyer awards
- priority waitlisting
- sometimes extra luggage allowances and/or priority luggage handling
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