Best airline loyalty program to chase status in??
 

Sorry for the newbie question. But I am just starting all this... But I'm trying to figure out which airline to chase status on. Using a small feeder airport I can get to ATL or ORD. I'm about to do a churn and a fidelity account and now trying to figure which one to chase status. Are any if them worth it with status? I'll probably only fly one a month mostly pleasure so it's not like I'll get diamond. I'll. be lucky to get silver with delta. I could hit it this year IF I do the reserve card and a couple milage runs.

Is status even worth it for someone like me? And if so what airline would you suggest based on rewards and partners and all.

Thanks soooo much for taking the time to read this post.

What status benefits would you actually use?

I don't really know. That is a better question than mine. Probably just upgrades and free fares and such. I guess I am so new to this I don't really know the right questions let alone the answers. Thanks

That's a fair and reasonable thing to say.

In general, the benefits of status are some subset of:

• Priority security
• Priority boarding
• Free checked baggage
• Space available upgrades
• Mileage earning bonuses and/or minimum mileage credit on paid flights
• Lounge access (often limited)
• Etc.

Each program has a page on its site listing the various perks of elite status.

However, many of those benefits are available with the airline's credit card anyway.

It sounds like your primary choices are Delta, United, and American. It would be a good idea to find the elite benefits page for each of their loyalty programs, then figure out your own value for the perks. You should then be able to figure out if it's worth a mileage run and/or a credit card signup.

For the things you mentioned, "upgrades" in those two programs are for domestic trips only and you would be the lowest priority. Best estimate is about 50% success rate - and if you fly at popular times or popular routes it's far lower than that. (For American, the upgrades are on a "sticker" (voucher) system, which must be earned, so you'd probably have even less success unless you paid for additional stickers.)

By "free fares", if you mean award tickets, you don't need elite status for that, although you might earn miles more quickly if you have status and there is some additional inventory of award seats only available to elite members.

I'd like to thank you for the time you took to provide me with that comprehensive and detailed answer!! I will read them as you suggested.

Thank you

I'm a newbie, too. Can you explain exactly how one gets priority security check in? I see the priority CS desk at the airline, I know to get in the priority line for boarding, but the security thing baffles me. I just see a bunch of barefoot people slamming their stuff into trays... no obvious shortcuts. Can you clue me in on how that works? Thanks!

I think you may be asking about PRE-Check. There are 2 ways (maybe more) to get into this. 1) You have elite status with AA or other legacy airlines and they invite you to OP IN (an easy decision) or 2)You apply thru DHS for Global Entry and go thru an interview. Either or both allows you to get into program where you are randomly granted access to the by-pass lane where you keep your shoes,belts etc on and you get to the AC early so you get 2 drinks rather than just 1.

Some airlines let you go through a special security line just because you have elite status (or their expensive credit card). For example, with United, I can go through the Elite line because I have a Presidential Plus card.

For Pre Check: I applied for Global Entry, interviewed, and was accepted. I entered my Global Entry number into United as soon as I received it. But the 2 times I've traveled since then, I wasn't given Pre-access. As a newbie, I'm still confused as to what I need to do to get the bypass lane access. At DCA, there was a special Pre-lane, but I didn't know if I was allowed to use it.

As mentioned, there are usually dedicated lines specifically for elite status members, with signs like "Priority AAccess" or "Premier Security". At some airports, such as SFO, there are even entire dedicated security areas only for elite customers.

This is different from Pre-Check. Pre-Check is a different, much easier security experience. You might qualify via elite status, but more likely via one of the Trusted Traveler programs. "Priority security", on the other hand, is the usual arduous type of security, just a shorter line.

See: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ravellers.html

Make sure your secure flight info on your United reservations exactly matches your information in Global Entry, including middle name, and make sure you opted-in on the United website. Then just go directly to the Pre-Check lane. Sometimes you'll get it, sometimes you won't.

Ahhh, thank you. I am not an elite member (just have my AAdvantage platinum card and the occasional lounge pass). I fly out of LAX, SAN or SNA usually, with LAX being the only airport with huge lines. With my AA card, I do get priority boarding and access to the AA Priority check in, but it sounds like I'd need to level up with AA or get the Global Entry to avoid the long security lines.

Right now, there is a "glitch" in how AA prints out boarding passes for people with the credit card. You may be able to access the Priority AAccess checkpoint line if your boarding pass says "Priority AAccess" on it. It's not supposed to work that way but it is for many people right now. That might get you past most of the line.

However, if you want the different checkpoint experience - the classic metal detector etc. - you'll need to "level up" or get Global Entry.

Helpful info, thanks. Next time I'll head straight to the Precheck lane and see what happens.

Is DL the only one that allows qualifying miles
 

to be bought like via the Amex reserve and plat cards? I looked through the different programs and only saw that.

Am I missing something?

TIA

AA has one credit card (Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard) that earns 10k EQM after $40k in purchases. The annual fee is $450 but that includes lounge access.

There are a few discontinued cards from United and USAirways that some people still have that offer some EQM bonuses. Don't think any of them are available for new cardholders now though.

EDIT: Although, the United Club Card - the one with the $395 annual fee - gives you most of the benefits of elite status anyway. It goes back to exactly which benefits you actually want - might just be able to buy them with an annual fee.