Is Chasing Airline Status Even Worth It? Here's What Our Expert Says
Gaining an airline status is something many travelers covet. Priority boarding, free upgrades, and exclusive lounges — not to mention the VIP ego boost — are just a few of the perks promised to those who rise through the ranks of loyalty programs. But is it really worth the effort for the average traveler? To find out if chasing airline status is truly beneficial, we spoke with Kylie, a travel points and miles expert who shares her expertise to help people make the most out of rewards programs on her Instagram and TikTok (@continental.ky).
@continental.ky Replying to @itimebombi Airline status does not make sense for 95% of you. I dont have Delta status or a Delta credit card but I can still book Delta One ticket and get Delta SkyClub access for ¼ of the price youre paying dor Comfort+ ! TLDR: flexible points will serve you better to book your desired cabin rather than hoping for an upgrade using your airline status #airlinetiktok #airlinestatus #deltaone #deltaairlines #delta #deltastatus #traveltok #airlineupgrades
Kylie's answer is a cautious maybe. "I think it can be worth it, but definitely not for everyone," she says. The key is to consider how much you're investing to earn that status versus what you'll actually get from it. She suggests asking yourself three critical questions before diving into the world of loyalty programs: "How much extra money am I spending to be able to achieve status? Am I paying more to fly this particular airline? What perks will I get out of the status and how often will I use them?"
For travelers who go out of their way to fly a specific airline and spend extra to reach that status, the benefits may not always outweigh the costs. Kylie emphasizes that this is especially true for someone on a low-level status with a program that might only offer minor perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding. In such a case, it's not really worthwhile.
When airline status is worth the chase
On the other hand, for some travelers, chasing airline status makes perfect sense. Kylie points out that frequent flyers, especially business travelers, stand to gain the most. "Oftentimes, business travelers are flying so frequently they can easily fly enough to earn status on the company's dime. If that's the case, then sticking to the same airline to rack up mileage and earn status is definitely worth it," she says. Kylie explains that the perks of higher airline status — like free upgrades, access to lounges, and waived fees — are ultimately most valuable to those who travel frequently enough to actually use them. If you're flying multiple times a month or taking regular international trips, these perks can become a total game-changer to your travel experience.
But what about the average traveler who only takes a few trips a year? According to Kylie, pursuing airline status isn't worth the effort for occasional flyers — anyone who travels only two or three times annually. "You would be spending more effort trying to achieve the status than you would actually getting to enjoy any of the perks," she says. However, there are some ways to earn airline elite status without flying at all! Nonetheless, instead of chasing that airline status, Kylie recommends looking for the best deals that suit your needs for each trip, regardless of which airline offers them. It's better to focus on flexibility and savings than trying to stick with one airline for the perks.
Alternatives to airline loyalty programs
For travelers who aren't frequent flyers but still want to make the most of their spending, Kylie suggests exploring alternatives to airline-specific loyalty programs. "I generally value points that are branded by banks, [like] Amex, Capital One, more than specific airline points," she explains. The key advantage of bank points is that they can typically be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel programs, allowing travelers to find the best deals for what they're looking for. Another option Kylie recommends is getting a cashback card that provides straightforward rewards.
How does one maximize the points or miles offered by their loyalty program? Here, Kylie encourages taking advantage of rewards programs that work for you, not the other way around. "I recommend going for rewards programs that are flexible and can be used with multiple different airline/hotel programs," she says. To get more value, look into transfer bonuses, which are "specific promotions where you will receive extra points when you transfer your points to certain airlines/hotel programs." Plus, there are some pretty unique ways you can earn even more airline miles.
One crucial point Kylie wants travelers to remember is that not all points and miles are created equal. "Some types of points are much more valuable than others, so make sure to look up the value of the points before signing up for that new offer that sounds great! It may turn out to be worth less than you thought," she cautions. While chasing airline status can be worth it for frequent flyers, casual travelers should weigh the costs and benefits more carefully. For most people, flexible points and miles systems or cashback rewards might offer better value without the commitment of sticking to one airline.