I wonder if someone could help me to understand how the premier status works for the ff programs? I am getting the idea that you have to travel 25,000 or so miles in one calendar year to qualify for the basic premier level. After this I am unclear. It seems to me that people are trying desperately to gain a few extra miles to get a certain status before year end. Does this mean that if you fly so many miles in one year, you get that status for the following year (calendar year)? If so, and you gain enough miles for the next level within a month or two, do you then have to wait till then next calendar year for the next level of benefits? Or am I totally off base?

Thanks!

The rules of every individual program vary, but in general...

The first level of elite status for most airlines kicks in after you've flown 25,000 miles in a calendar year on that airline (there are exceptions -- 15k miles on Alaska is enough to be MVP).

Once you've earned that status, it's good more or less immediately (it may take a few days for the airline's computer to "sweep" for new elites, and you may have to have the airline take your mileage number out of any existing reservations and re-enter it in order to get them to recognize your new status).

Your status earned in one calendar year will be good through the end of the next calendar year (and then generally though the end of Feb of the following year, to give them time to mail out cards and such to re-qualifiers). E.g. qualify in October, 2002 for Premier status on United and that status will be good through February, 2004.

Once you qualify for one level, you keep on going until you hit the next level. Say I qualify for Premier in June 2002. Then I hit United's Premier Executive (50,000 miles flown) in October, 2002. I'm not a Premier Executive through February 2004.

The benefits of elite status vary, but often include...

- complimentary domestic upgrades
- some levels and programs include international upgrades
- pre-boarding of aircraft
- special checkin (usually with first class)
- bonus miles for flying
- some airlines have special availability for frequent flyer awards
- priority waitlisting
- sometimes extra luggage allowances and/or priority luggage handling

Welcome to Flyertalk!

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Thanks gleff! That clears things up for me

Just one thing... did you mean the "not" above? So in that scenario you would be a premier through Feb 2004, and then would become an executive premier for the following year. Or did you mean that you would immediately hit the next level (premier exec) and remain there through Feb 2004?

Thanks a ton

I think not should be now

So if you start with 0 in 2002, fly 25k and become Premier through 2/04. Then fly another 25k and become Premier Exec through 2/04.

I believe he meant NOW instead of NOT.

As someone that earned AA Plat for the first time, I urge you to try and achieve some elite status, regardless which airline you choose, because flying actually became enjoyable for me since the day I became Plat.

Hmm, and one more question... I signed up for a program (Delta) a couple of months back, and have 18,000 or so miles at the moment. Do I still have to fly several more miles by the end of this calendar year, or would I have an extended qualification period based on my signup date? Or should I be talking to Delta about this?

Now that you have the basic knowledge, take your Delta specific questions to Delta forum, as the folks there would be able to help you out better than here.
Good Luck!

Good scheme. Thanks all

One caveat: miles earned does not equal status miles. Subtract signup bonus, partner miles, and (for most airlines) class of service bonus and only look at miles earned by sitting in an airplane seat to determine how close you are to an elite level.

Different progerams differ, so take andrzej's advice and visit the DL forum with your specific Q's.

Thanks. All the miles are straight flying miles, so I'm fine in that regard

Mrukk, welcome to FlyerTalk. For some additional input, I believe this is how Continental handles Elite qualification:

For Elite qualification purposes, the clock starts at zero each January 1st.[*]Silver - 25,000 miles or 30 segments[*]Gold - 50,000 miles or 60 segments[*]Platinum - 75,000 miles or 90 segments

Silver, Gold or Platinum Elite status must be earned during a Calendar Year* toward the next Elite Program Year.** As you qualify during the current Calendar Year, you are upgraded usually the next day to the appropriate Elite level, and your Elite status will continue through the entire next Elite Program Year! As you qualify during the current calendar year for each higher elite level, your status is automatically upgraded immediately.

Elite level qualification base miles or segments accrue during a Calendar Year. For qualification purposes, Calendar Years may not be combined, and base mileage or segments which determine elite status (or a higher level of your existing Elite status) start over each January 1st.

* A Calendar Year is January 1-December 31 of the same year.
The current Calendar Year is January 1, 2002-December 31, 2002.

** An Elite Program Year is March 1-February 28 (or 29).
The current Elite Program Year is March 1, 2002-February 28, 2003.
The next Elite Program Year is March 1, 2003-February 29, 2004.

Happy Travels!

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