Keep spreading spend, or go all-in on one?
 

I made second tier status on all three legacy US carriers last year, on a total spend of ~$70k. I spread my spend to optimize around schedule -- I almost always take whatever flight is leaving first when I get to the airport. So going all-in on one airline will cost me some time, in smaller or larger increments, but not much beyond that. My travel is fairly irregular, very little to the same destinations. I am based at ORD.

Thoughts? I've never worried much about status since I typically buy full-fare refundable YUP or F, but it occurred to me that it might be fun to make Concierge Key or GS.

If you typically buy F, then that gives you a good bit of what you'd get from having top tier Status. With all the devaluations recently, you're probably better off just doing what you're doing. Having top tier on any program will help with upgrades, and with miles earned/$ on flights, but not much more than that.

If you fly international and pay Full fare Y and Full fare J/F then you could probably qualify for GS. Domestic may not be as easy. That and loyalty isn't what it once was. You are probably better off going based off schedule and cost.

Concierge Key (includes Executive Platinum status and Admirals Club membership) is for influencers of travel or those with very high value to American. Some have guessed over $65k of annual spend on premium fares on AA could qualify you, but AA keeps the criteria for qualifying private.

Well never mind -- just checked into my flight for tomorrow morning and it looks like United gave me GS for my spend last year! That was a nice surprise.

Well that certainly changes the equation!

Let us know after you gain some experience as a GS how much the benefits (more frequent upgrades, better customer service, increased points multiplier, increased redemption options) justify to you the costs of book a flight on UA when a different airline with which you don't have comparable benefits flies the route slightly cheaper or with a better schedule.