{"id":414,"date":"2019-07-12T15:00:18","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T15:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/travel\/?p=414"},"modified":"2019-07-13T14:00:05","modified_gmt":"2019-07-13T14:00:05","slug":"beginners-guide-airline-elite-status-and-hotel-elite-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/travel\/beginners-guide-airline-elite-status-and-hotel-elite-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Beginners Guide – Airline Elite Status and Hotel Elite Status"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You’ve probably heard the term “elite status,” even if you don’t know what it is. So we’re going to do an introduction to the concept of airline elite status and hotel elite status, to be followed eventually by in-depth pieces about the various program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, elite status is a set of rewards given to a company’s best customers. It may include both “hard benefits,” such as cash back or something else with a monetary value; and “soft benefits,” like a dedicated check-in line or pre-boarding on your flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re Valuable to the Company (Sort of)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have elite status with a company, you’re more valuable to them than the average customer. And the more business you do, the higher your status level. It’s a virtuous circle: You do business with them, they give you elite status, you take advantage of the benefits and do more business, they give you even more benefits, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They don’t love you. But they love your money.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Know if They Really Love Me?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a hint: They don’t love you. But they love your money, and are happy to give you a few extra goodies if it gets you to fork over more green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s How You Get Elite Status <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every company, whether it’s Southwest or Starbucks<\/a>, has a different way of offering you status, but they all revolve around the amount of business you give them. Here’s how the airlines and hotels do it. Note that this is a very general overview.<\/strong> Each individual program has its idiosyncrasies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airline Elite Status<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Delta
Delta Medallion Airline Elite Status<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For most major carriers and airline elite status, your status is based on how many miles you fly, combined with how much you spend. For example, if you fly 25,000 miles with Delta and spend $3,000 in a year, you will earn Silver Elite (Silver Medallion<\/a>) status. Some airlines will also give you benefits based on how many segments you fly (one take off and landing), but most people earn status through spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginner’s Hint:<\/strong><\/em> The miles you earn toward elite status are different than the ones you can redeem for free flights (redeemable miles). Elite miles are generally based on how far you fly, with a potential kicker for the type of ticket you buy. Airlines track the two separately. In other words, if you spend $300 to fly 1,000 miles, you’ll earn 1,500 redeemable miles (since Delta gives you five miles per dollar) but only 1,000 toward your elite level. It may sound confusing but the airlines do a pretty good job of differentiating between the two.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The low costs carriers like Southwest and JetBlue operate differently. Their airline elite status is based entirely on spending (again, with separate credit for segments). How far you fly is generally meaningless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical airline perks include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n