I have 40k on UAL, 30 AA, 45 NW, 20 YX, bunch of miles on Virgin, BA, Taca etc...

At least half of these are bonus miles of one type or another, but if I really try this year, by purcahsing tickets, and concentrating on one airline, i'll be able to get premier status.

But then I started thinking... why buy all those flights? I have enough miles to travel free almost all year... is that premier stuff really worth it? Yeah, some first class would be nice, but the price is steep considering I could be flying for free otherwise. I guess what i'm asking is how much of premier status is merely psychological? Fascinating how we rationalize...

(of course I don't have a company paying for my tickets either!)

Boy are you starting up with the wrong group.

VERY GOOD JON!

Welcome to FT.
From what I gather, you are not a frequent flyer, but you do have a considerable number of miles accumulated. Getting to the first level of elite status on any airline is only beneficial if you fly. That is, if you spend relatively little time in the air every year, there is little point in having the elite membership card in your wallet. The benefits are largely seen after you arrive at the airport.

For those of us who travel a lot for business or leisure, there are clear elite flyer benefits that make the travel experience smoother and more comfortable. The more you fly, the greater the status and the benefits. On the rare occasion that I have to fly on an airline on which I have no status, the journey is more challenging from the time I make my reservation to the time my plane lands at its destination.

I would use the miles for free flights when ever I felt the trade off (fare) made sense. This is especially true when going on a flight with little competition. "Most" of this board is based on "free company paid flights" and the answer then changes.

Points generally have depreciated overtime and will likely continue to do so. As the value of your money earns interest and points do not, AND the depreciating nature of the value (redemption costs).

Having said all that, the current state of the industry is often forcing low fares that often are too good to pass up. A couple bankrupcies and some consolidation of routes could increase fares in the future at some smaller/midsize airports.

Using services on this board is the best way to find how to utilize the "odds and ends" you have and round them off to full tickets. Lots of ways without getting on a plane.

Finally, these programs have lasted a long time and could last a long time more. Nevering being the low level elite is not much of a loss. Only mid and upper levels really get you opportunities that really count.

Premier status is worth it on United because you get the economy plus seats.

In addition, there's the added benefit of the special check in lines and the dedicated phone lines.

However, you're right, a lot of the stuff that they advertise isn't worth it.

I fly AA 100,000+ leisure miles a year. I figure this nets me 500,000 annual miles based upon this formula: base miles, 100% bonus, 100% upgrade conversion, 8 VIPOWs worth 25,000 each. On top of this I get access to the executive desk, prefered seating, upgrade window at 100 hours, first class check-in, first class lounge access on international OW trips, greater access to awards and some cool black luggage tags.

I'm guessing these benefits are more than pyschological but those are good too!

You need to have elite status. Go through one day of flight delays or missed connections and you will understand why.

the elite status pays for itself when there are problems.

Only problem with being "entry level" elite is most act like the airline should worship them.

A close friend is a 1K and he and I did a few segments together and we sat near the podium and it was SO funny listening to people b&*@#& "I'm a PREMIER with your airline!"... he and i would just snicker (and hope they would hear us!)...

Premier *has* it's benefits, but it's still not even close to the respect and benefits you get as a 1K or Premier Exec.... most people say it's a different world once you cross that 50k mile threshold... I know for me, going from non-elite to instant 1P was the greatest thing ever...

-Nate

I would say that it depends on your flight plans AFTER this next year. You have about 5 free domestic flights on UA/AA/NW/YX. If that is all the flying you are going to do, you won't earn much status.

There is certainly something to be said for cashing in miles and reducing your risk that someone might go bankrupt and not honor their miles any more.

On the other hand, if you are going to do enough flying to get to at least SILVER on one airline, you have to judge the value of some first class upgrades (more on NW than on UA).

It does seem that if you can't get Premier Exec 1K on UA, you don't get much from them.