Which airline has the most generous entry level FF status?
 

I was looking forward to shooting for Premier status on United in 2012; however, it seems that they have significantly devalued that level of their program. Simple question - which airline offers the best benefits for their most entry level status (25,000 miles annually)? This is from an NYC based flyer, so most airlines would seem to be eligible.

Frontier has some easy to achieve milestones.

The question is not as simple as it seems. What to you hope to gain by the elite status? Do you fly mostly domestic, international, or a mix?

Elite status can give you priority boarding, baggage fee waivers, upgrades, improved handling during irregular operations (weather, mechanical problems), etc.
I had good success as a silver medallion on Delta out of JFK with upgrades and they do tend to handle irregular operations fairly well. However, their loyalty program overall is poor. They make frequent changes without announcing and redemption of the miles accrued can be a struggle. Their international network is good but there is really no benefit as a silver medallion on these routes apart from 25% mileage accrual bonus.

I was a United Premier several years ago and never saw a single upgrade...but I honestly didn't even know what the benefits were as I didn't fly that much back then nor did I know about flyertalk; I just knew I got to board a little bit earlier. Same as an Alaska MVP (although obviously not a choice for you being NYC-based).

In all honesty I would choose the airline based on route network for you as all the lower tier elite status is about the same (Which airport do you prefer (JFK/LGA/EWR) and where is that you are going?). Everybody always seems to think the grass is greener at the other program anyways so just pick on route and price.

I'm low-tier on AA. While I'm concerned that they'll follow United's lead and basically reset 50k as the first meaningful tier, here's what I like about AA Gold:

- Onshore phone support that is (usually) halfway decent and accessible.
- Airport agents that are (usually) pleasant and competent.
- Good irrops support the 3-4 times I've needed help in the past couple of years.
- Exit rows and other desirable coach seats are available at booking time.
- The e500 upgrade system as opposed to UDU. On UA, US, or DL, low-tiers only see F after all of the higher-tiers have been automatically upgraded. On AA, Platinum members have to decide whether to use their e500's to upgrade. This leaves more flights open to Golds upgrading - especially the short-hauls and midcons that I fly. (Figure your transcons out of NYC are going to be full enough of higher elites that you won't get those upgrades.)
- Not specifically related to Gold status but to general mileage accumulation: I will always favor airlines that allow one-way awards. To me, that makes miles much more usable because I can look across at least two major airlines (UA and AA), three if it's a U.S. trip (WN), opening up many more possible award combinations than if I was forced to redeem R/T on one alliance or carrier.

I mean, it's still a low-tier so I wouldn't set my expectations terribly high. But I do think AA Gold makes travel on AA at least tolerable - better than what UA 2P will become in 2012.

I just had my first MR as a delta silver and got upgraded to first class in 3/4 segments. Not bad for the lowest level. :)

I held status with the following airlines: (past, present)

AA Exec Plat (present)
AA Plat, Gold, no status
UA 1K (100K), 1P (50K), none.
US Chairman's, Gold, Silver (pre merger)

I like AA Gold for the low (25K) level. US call centers, free bags, better seats, etc. For me, having a USA call center is HUGE. Even with no status, AA treated me decently. When I had to call for a simple thing with UA, I usually had to deal with India or Manila. Not the same as a USA call center.

DL silver may be OK but I would think with so many ways to get silver w/o flying (credit cards--Silver status in the past for transferring 50K from AMEX MR to DL), I would guess that upgrades would be more difficult than with AA.

My vote goes for AA. One way awards, reasonable saver award inventory on awards, etc. Upgrade (500 milers) don't presently expire. Of course, don't expect to get upgraded too easily on a peak hub route (recent example: LAX-DFW this Friday morning). I am lifetime Gold (1 Million Miler).

I'd put AA Gold slightly above DL Silver though I've been lucky on upgrades with both. However, when you don't get an upgrade, AA Gold seems slightly better as Priority AAcess seems to mean more than Zone 2 on Delta. AA Golds always have access to AA First Class check in desks (or Business Class in three cabin airports) and priority security lines while DL Silver have separate desks at hubs and do not get access to priority security lines.

I just made it to UA Premier again after a few years of either DL silver or statuslessness.

About 7 years ago I was getting bumped up to biz on UA's transpac flights, but I doubt that would happen now. They also aren't flying from KIX as much as before.

Since most of my flights are from Asia, the domestic upgrades don't mean much to me. And with the Continental Onepass (soon to become UA Explorer) the baggage bonus is a wash.

Since the awards for Skyteam have shot up in cost over the last year, especially in Asia, and Oneworld is pretty weak here, I will probably stay with *A.

I do wonder whether a jump to ANA would be worth it though.

Thanks guys. Looks like I should shoot for Delta or AA (both good options for NYC). Alaska Airlines MVP may also be a decent option.

Alaska Airlines MVP Gold will allow you to credit miles to their program from both Delta and AA and they offer complimentary upgrades on Delta (though I'm not sure if you would clear after DL Silver or before). Another big point is that Alaska's lowest tier earns 50% bonus miles on flights compared to many other programs who only reward 25% bonus miles at their lowest tier.

Been there. Done that. ANA bronze status is basically worthless.

As others have hinted at, I think the best low-tier status airline is simply the one that fits your needs. When I was a DL Silver I had a pretty surprising success rate on upgrades. I am not all that into having to fly first class. Sure, if given the choice I'd fly first class, but to me the benefits of flying first class vs. bulkhead/exit row are negligible domestically as I don't like the food, don't drink anything but water and tea and find the seats only marginally more comfortable than those in coach.

My concerns are also never when I get to board a plane, but rather how soon I can get the hell off. I usually only have a small carryon, so I don't have to rush onto the plane to get my giant rollerbag into the overheads. So, if I can I like to be the last one on the plane and as close the first one off as I possibly can. So, there's the main perk I love about being upgraded.

I have been upgraded at a pretty good rate during my time as a silver. I don't ever travel for work, so my schedule tends to be very flexible and I must not be flying routes, days, and times that are heavy in elites. That's what I love about this mileage game....there are no right or wrong answers.

If you fly Star Alliance, Aegean has the easiest way to get Star Gold (20K miles, easily attainable with US Airways flights). You get lounge access even while flying domestically, not much on the upgrades / priority boarding side though.

This is not true. As a *G, you only get domestic (USA) lounge access if connecting to an international itinerary.

If you want club access for domestic flights (USA), you need to buy a membership or get a credit card that includes it (like CO PP or AMEX Plat)

Through which member airline do you have *G status? I know those with A3 who have used the RCC when travelling domestically.