I’m a future part-time digital nomad and I really like journey rewards bank cards, however I am not super-impressed by the rarefied realm of airline elite standing. Each airline has a frequent flyer program, and elite standing is sort of a particular VIP room inside that bigger airline fan membership. When you get elite standing with an airline, you possibly can qualify for some particular perks.
Some airline elite standing advantages are legitimate and precious, like free upgrades to enterprise class or an automated multiplier that will help you earn extra frequent flyer miles on each flight. However a few of the different airline elite standing perks are underwhelming, particularly when you think about how exhausting and costly it’s to earn elite standing within the first place.
Some airways’ elite standing packages (like Southwest Airways) are extra customer-friendly than others. However on the whole, most require you to take typically dozens of flights or spend hundreds of {dollars} on airline bank cards. You must observe hard-to-understand and ever-changing guidelines. You must painstakingly amass sufficient elite status-qualifying factors that are (normally) totally different from frequent flyer miles and likewise (normally) totally different from bank card reward factors. Feeling confused but?
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And for all that effort, you get…a free checked bag? Sorry, however I am not impressed, airways!
Listed below are just a few elite standing advantages that I really feel are overrated — and how one can have a greater journey expertise with out the elite trappings.
1. Free checked bag(s)
One of many first advantages that airline elite standing packages promote on their web sites is a free checked bag. It is true that many airways have not too long ago raised their charges for checked luggage, and never having to fret about this payment can prevent some cash.
But in addition, I do not examine luggage. I am enthusiastic about touring mild. Even for a month-long worldwide journey, I at all times handle to pack every part into one single carry-on bag. I do not want a free checked bag. And I undoubtedly do not want two or three checked luggage that you simply get for larger ranges of elite standing.
You already know what elite standing perk would really make me completely happy? Free automated gate-checked luggage! Simply let me examine my bag on the gate and decide it up on the jet bridge instantly after touchdown once I get off the aircraft! I am completely happy to avoid wasting room within the overhead compartment, and I haven’t got to fret about my bag getting misplaced or ready in line on the baggage declare! Please, airways! Give the individuals (me) what we actually need!
2. Precedence boarding
Airline elite standing packages additionally make an enormous deal about precedence check-in and precedence boarding. To not be disrespectful, however yawn. I do not care about being the primary one on the aircraft. Do individuals really care about this? Do you take pleasure in being ushered into some particular little check-in line? Does it make you’re feeling like an enormous shot? Oh effectively.
I do not wish to be first on the aircraft, even when I am sitting in enterprise class. I do not wish to spend any additional time with minimal leg room, respiration jet exhaust, whereas dozens of individuals trudge by the aisle, almost bonking me within the face with their enormous carry-on luggage (that ought to’ve been gate-checked).
And if in case you have a free checked bag (see No. 1 above), why do you even care about being first on the aircraft? You need not scurry onboard to seize area within the overhead compartment! Simply spend just a few additional minutes sitting within the ample leg room of the airport terminal, the place there isn’t any jet gasoline exhaust.
To me, true VIP standing is once you’re the final individual on the aircraft. Being the final individual to get on the aircraft, even when I am sitting within the undesirable seats on the rear, subsequent to the bathroom, seems like being the President of the US boarding Air Drive One. (I could have points.)
3. Drink vouchers
Some airline elite standing packages provide free drink vouchers. However solely when you attain the next degree of elite standing — not even the bottom tier. (Oh yeah, I forgot to say the tiers — most airways have a number of complicated tiers of elite standing membership, like Silver and Gold and Platinum.)
Does not this begin to really feel type of ridiculous after some time? You spend hundreds of {dollars} and fly lots of of hundreds of miles, and perhaps, for those who’re fortunate, for those who’re a “Gold” elite standing buyer, the airline provides you a free in-flight drink? At this level, I might slightly purchase my very own drinks.
What to do as an alternative of chasing elite airline standing
A lot of the finest airline elite standing perks will also be obtained in a extra customized, do-it-yourself, a-la-carte method. Simply use journey rewards bank cards and airline bank cards:
- Desire a free checked bag? Airline bank cards may give you this perk.
- Need free or low-price upgrades? Pay for them with bank card factors.
- Desire a free drink? Some airline playing cards provide reductions on in-flight purchases like meals and beverage — it isn’t free, however you possibly can earn miles with each snack or beverage you purchase.
Backside line
I really like air journey and I am excited to earn extra factors and miles with journey rewards bank cards. However I am not tremendous impressed by the advantages provided by airline elite standing packages. When you actually are a frequent flyer and you may rack up sufficient flights or bank card spending together with your favourite airline, then elite standing is likely to be value having. However I do not intend to make any particular effort to chase after these humdrum perks…except they begin providing free gate-checked luggage…
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