Dallas49er

When I started travelling for business in 1982, my new boss told me "Treat your expense account dollars like they are your own." Now, I don't have an expense account, and I treat my dollars the same way-as if they are my own.

Airline status (of any kind (unless you are CK, AND your poo don't stink)) is so '90s. Unfortunately, after checking my sundial, we are in 2018. Mileage Runs in this household are now so '90s, also.

CMK10

I've flown with status and I've flown without. In almost every measurable way it's better to fly with status. The reasons for that hardly need repeating.

Adelphos

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I don't know why this is controversial. If you are flying more than say 10 segments a year, status is beneficial.

swingaling

Agreed. I don't think that's a controversial position whatsoever.

Ultimately, each of us must do a cost benefit analysis to determine whether or not maintaining status is worth the cost. The cost of maintaining status is highly variable and greatly depends on one's travel patterns. For someone who flies AA/BA DFW-LHR in J monthly on their employer's dime, the cost of maintaining status is effectively zero. Whereas someone who flies to various and less popular destinations, the cost could be more expensive tickets, less convenient routings, etc.

For me, it's definitely nice to have status, but I also accept that there are some instances where my status is completely useless (such as flying non-partner airlines in Europe, Africa, Asia, etc). Further, as the majority of my travel is international, I probably derive a lot less benefit from my status than someone who flies 100 domestic segments annually.

One thing is certain. If the majority of my travels took me to Africa, I'd have a hard time justifying loyalty to AA. *A is probably a better bet for the majority Africa flyer.

drsh99

I have a fantastically fulfilling job. And my kids think I'm an outrageously cool mom.

Dallas49er

I once had a fantastically fulfilling job. Then I got promoted a month later. More power to you, you outrageously cool HUMAN BEING!

lhrhappy

I hope to be there some day

azepine00

perhaps because the effort and cost associated wirh acquisition of status is not worth the limited benefits it brings?

Adelphos

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Ideally, status should cost nothing. For those that are flying a decent amount (say 35,000 EQM), it makes sense to direct enough of those flights to one airline so that you earn status. Even my meager Gold status with AA has gotten me free standby, upgrades on business trips, free bags, and other amenities that I would have had to pay extra for.

Adelphos

This is all fine. However, for the majority of domestic business travelers, status is useful. So while a thread titled "elite status: a pointless goal" may sound interesting, it is simply untrue for a lot of people.

andersonCooper

My point was, we all have different priorities and things make ourselves happy. In a more boring bookworm way of Economics 101 speaking, it is our ways to maximize utility function. I am happy about my expenses on airfares, while my friend is happy about hers on fine dinning and takeouts. OTOH, we are both in our late 20s and able to max out our 401(k) to IRS limit. Your miles really vary.

I enjoy my experiences with CX as OWE regardless of J or W, F lounges, two TALT AA flights services this year were good, and I had to cancel a lot of last minute rewards flights on AA this year without paying penalty, on top of 100% domestic upgrade and 100% SWU clear. That's enough said about my opinion on status, FOR ME.

QueenOfCoach

My dad told me the same thing back in the 1960s. It's true.

Uncle Nonny

I hope a few million EX-Plats renounce their status as well. Let's get this ball rolling so I can sit up front more!

SeeBuyFly

Does "Treat expense account dollars like they are your own" mean use them for personal expenses and unnecessary luxuries? Because I do that with my own money...

bse118

"Cost of acquisition of status" That's not really a thing.

I fly because I need to fly. Status comes as a result of that. I don't fly because I want status.

I have never missed an Y-->J SWU request as an EXP. I can always get a shower and have a calm lounge to relax in. I have access to fast track security and first class check-in at international outstations. For my flying pattern that's huge. Don't tell me that status brings "limited benefits".