Roll your own airline elite status | Ep221 | 9-23-23
Sep 23, 2023
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Learn about rolling your own airline elite status and the pros and cons. Discover how to maximize points with a rental payment card. Uncover a surprising offer on Hilton cards and debunk the misconception. Find out about Aeroplan cardholders getting a fourth night free on hotel stays. Hear a funny incident involving a credit card and address update. Explore obtaining hotel sweet spot rewards. Discuss the increasing spend required for airline elite status and compare loyalty programs. Consider the cost of earning elite status with airlines and the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Focus on earning transferable points instead of chasing airline elite status.
Book premium cabins directly using points for better travel experiences.
Consider purchasing premium airfare directly and using credit cards for favorable redemption rates.
Deep dives
Alternative to Airline Elite Status: Earn More Points
One alternative to chasing airline elite status is to focus on earning more transferable points. By strategically using credit cards that offer bonus categories and earning 2x to 5x points on all spend, you can accumulate a significant amount of points. These transferable points allow you to take advantage of the best redemption opportunities, whether it's for premium cabin flights or other travel expenses.
Fly Elite without Elite Status
Instead of relying on elite status for preferred seating and upgrades, consider booking premium cabins directly using your points. By transferring points to airline programs or using credit card travel portals, you can book business or first class flights and enjoy the benefits of flying in premium cabins. Additionally, you can earn miles on these flights and credit them to loyalty programs that offer better redemption options.
Consider Buying Premium Airfare
Rather than relying on upgrades, consider purchasing premium airfare directly. By being flexible with your airline choices and using points or cash back to cover the cost, you may find better deals on premium cabins. Using credit cards that offer favorable redemption rates for travel purchases can further enhance your savings and overall travel experience.
Fly Business Class for Less with Award Bookings
Instead of relying on upgrades, you can book business or first class flights using your miles. Look for award seat availability on different airlines and choose the best redemption options. This allows you to fly in premium cabins without the need for elite status or the uncertainty of upgrades. With careful planning, you can often find better value and a more enjoyable travel experience.
The Cost of Elite Status and Loyalty to an Airline
The podcast discusses the cost of earning elite status and the trade-offs of being loyal to a specific airline. It highlights that being loyal to an airline often means paying more for flights and missing out on better opportunities with competitors. The podcast also emphasizes the opportunity cost of using airline credit cards, as it limits the ability to earn better rewards with other cards. While airline elite status offers benefits such as better customer service, priority check-in, and free upgrades, the podcast suggests that for leisure travelers, it is often more cost-effective to book premium cabins using miles, cash, or points, rather than chasing elite status.
Considerations for Accidental Mileage Purchase
The podcast addresses a listener's concern about accidentally purchasing miles during the booking process. The listener transferred miles from Chase Ultimate Rewards to United to book award tickets, but later realized that United had also purchased the missing miles. The listener contacted United to request a reversal of the purchase, but there is uncertainty about whether the tickets would then be canceled. The podcast suggests that the listener should communicate clearly with United, emphasizing that the award tickets should not be canceled and that the miles transferred should be used instead. While there is a risk involved, the podcast leans towards taking a shot at reversing the mileage purchase, as airlines have the ability to open award space on their flights if necessary.
You don't need airline elite status to get elite-like treatment. This week, we discuss how to get the perks without the loyalty and how to think about the costs associated if you decide to stay on that hamster wheel.
37:48 Do we need elite status at all? How can we be treated elite?
57:53 Why might you actually want airline elite status?
1:04:45 Are the benefits of loyalty worth it? Who should pursue it?
1:09:36 Question of the Week: I accidentally purchased $6500 in United miles while booking an award. I can ask them to reverse the purchase, but is it worth the risk of the ticket getting canceled?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
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