I realize that much of what I am about to say has probably been said in some ways by others. But that’s neither here nor there because I haven’t said it until now. What is that you might wonder? With few exceptions, there is no longer any point in trying to obtain entry level airline elite status. Why? As most of you know, you can obtain the majority of entry-level elite benefits simply by carrying the credit card of your favorite airline. There is no better example than my flight from Atlanta to Washington, DC this week. I was 30 something of 40 something on the upgrade list, so that’s not even worth worrying about. Just based on a visual review of boarding, over 50 of approximately 150 passengers were either seated in First Class or eligible for priority boarding.
Finally, the call came for “Zone 1.” At least 70 percent of the remaining passengers headed for boarding. Fortunately, I was positioned for boarding and made it on the aircraft in a reasonable amount of time. That said, the overhead bins around my seating area were already full except for one small space. Good thing I switched to my “international carry on” for this trip because that’s all the space that was available in the overhead in the vicinity of my seat. Am I complaining? No! Zone 1 beats Zone 6 any day. That said, I earned Zone 1 through flying in excess of the minimum amount of miles to obtain Silver status on my airline. On the other hand, had I not flown those miles, I would still receive Zone 1 boarding because I carry the Amex SkyMiles Platinum card which includes early boarding as a benefit.
Am I giving up on Medallion status? Heck no! I am flying enough now to obtain a higher level of status and will do so in short order. However, if I knew that I wasn’t flying at a rate that’s going to get me at least Gold status, I think I would just relax and capitalize on the benefits offered to me by the credit card I carry. The exceptions to this? If you are someone who can fly on Saturday afternoon at 3PM, or Tuesday night at 9PM, then you are probably still able to collect a few upgrades in return for holding entry-level airline elite status. And in fairness, most airlines offer exit row seats to their entry-level elites, which carrying a particular credit card won’t get you. Outside of that, if you aren’t going to earn enough miles for at least mid-tier status, then I have to wonder if bothering with status is worth the hassle? Actually, I wonder no more. It’s not worth it. Just my opinion. I’d love to hear yours.
Although I wasn’t actually a Silver Medallion for very long (Ithank you AMEX!) I can tell you that Gold Medallion is far superior to Silver.
In addition to SkyPriority access and 2 free checked bags (3 if upgraded) my upgrade percentage was 55% last year as a GM.
I’ve been UAL Silver for a few years–only after carefully thinking through how to combine work/family trips via UAL in order to reach 25K. I’ve spent additional money on UAL in order to attain status, but was upgraded only once…and then they moved me out at the last second because a passenger with greater status arrived (embarrassing). UAL Silver was a value when one could book econ plus ahead of time, but not any more. I do not get the impression that UAL really cares one way or the other.
Upgrades are nice, but access to exit aisle seats is a very big deal if you are too tall to fit in ordinary coach. Thus at least some elite status is a big deal.
For the past two years, I’ve had Silver status with United. I’ve never flown enough for a higher level. I will scratch and claw to keep that status, even though I have a card that gets me some benefits. What the card won’t get me is into the Priority check-in line. I almost always need to check a bag for my work travel. A card won’t get me through the TSA PreCheck security lines either. I know some have noted on Flyertalk and blogs that they don’t save much time, but this combination (expedited check-in, expedited security) have easily saved… Read more »
As a UA 1K, I enormously resent that certain benefits are given to the CC holders but are not available to me – whether I would miss them in practice is questionable, but it does cause resentment. If I’d flown 25000 miles to find the CC holders were ahead of me (and 25% bonus miles don’t make a huge amount of difference at those levels), I would be furious. However, on the positive side, the sensible thing to do is simply to buy on price and convenience and forget the status. Fly Virgin America or Jet Blue whenever possible and… Read more »
My last upgrade as a Delta Silver is a couple years ago. But nevertheless I am happy to have that status. Reduced baggage fees, zone 1 boarding, and 25% bonus miles.
You are right, the right credit card would get priority boarding and reduced bag fees, too.
However, there is no such thing as a SkyMiles credit card in Germany … so we are in different situations, and thus have slightly different opinions 😉
I agree. Unfortunately, I’ll be going from a DL PM to nothing in 2014. Gonna be a real shock.
I was taking an AA flight from LAX to JFK. I believe it was schedule to get into JFK around 6am so it must have been a very popular flight. The flight must have been about 50% full of elites platinum and higher. I think that normally it wouldn’t have been so crowded but i believe this was one of the last flights arriving into JFK before a minor snowstorm in NY (it was much bigger storm in Boston). I missed them calling out platinums as well so i was one of the last platinums to board the plane. There… Read more »
Good point! It’s amazing how long the upgrade lists are these days. I’ve noticed several times there being 60+ people on the list for a 737.
I am certain my declining view has to do with my relocation to Atlanta. I’ve had 1 upgrade since March 1, and that was on a Saturday.
I have not noticed a benefit personally for Delta Silver (though I do appreciate the 25% miles bonus). However, my husband is also silver and is batting 50% on upgrades on his flights, so there is still hope!