Contrary to what many might think, not all of us at Flying Frugal enjoy a wealth of travel perks—even those we discuss daily, like elite status.
When I joined Flying Frugal in 2021, I had never held any form of airline elite status. I didn’t possess a cobranded airline credit card and traveled inconsistently compared to my colleagues, many of whom traveled weekly. The prospect of attaining even the most basic elite status felt daunting.
However, a stroke of luck came my way when I won 30,000 Loyalty Points in a raffle, allowing me to secure AAdvantage Gold status at the end of 2021. This membership granted me entry-level American Airlines AAdvantage status through February 2023. Inspired by this achievement, I took bold steps to elevate my status to AAdvantage Platinum for the remainder of the year, including a grueling 66-hour round-trip flight on Oneworld partner Finnair.
After low travel activity in the first half of 2024, losing my status earlier this year didn’t come as a shock. I was eager to travel again in July for my birthday, but a global IT outage led to that trip’s cancellation. I did manage to travel consistently from August through December 2024.
While unexpected time spent in my home city limited my ability to regain status, I had no strong desire to chase it this year for several reasons.
American Airlines AAdvantage Status Was Underwhelming
During my year as an AAdvantage Gold member, I saw little difference between having elite status and not having it. The primary benefit was being able to preselect complimentary Main Cabin Extra or preferred seats upon check-in.
Seat selection was contingent on availability, and I found the Main Cabin Extra seats to be more beneficial due to the extra legroom (33 to 39 inches of pitch, depending on the aircraft, compared to 30 to 32 inches in standard economy seats).
If Main Cabin Extra seats were unavailable, my choices were limited to preferred seats, which simply refer to seats located in more desirable sections of the aircraft, like those near the front, or in rows with two seats rather than three. However, since they generally lack additional legroom, this perk didn’t feel substantive.
The only other benefit I experienced from my AAdvantage Gold status was a regional upgrade on a flight from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
This first-class experience had two notable differences: a wider seat (19.9 inches, with a 37-inch pitch compared to the 34 inches in Main Cabin Extra and 30 inches in the main cabin) and complimentary snacks.
As an AAdvantage Platinum member, I appreciated the priority boarding with an earlier group but, disappointingly, did not receive any upgrades.
Overall, my underwhelming experiences with AAdvantage Gold and Platinum did not motivate me to pursue status further.
While I Like United, Status Isn’t a Goal
As I let go of my aspirations for American status, I began considering whether it might be wiser to focus on another airline, particularly United Airlines.
Before moving to Chicago in 2022, I’d only flown United once, yet it has since become my preferred airline for flights out of ORD, where United has a hub.
Through my reporting and travels, I’ve come to view United as an innovative airline, and I intend to continue prioritizing it for my flights from ORD. Earlier this year, I experienced United’s TSA PreCheck Touchless ID program at ORD, which enables eligible passengers to navigate through security and check bags biometrically without presenting a boarding pass or driver’s license.
This seamless experience left a positive impression on me, significantly simplifying the process of passing through TSA checkpoints, especially with ongoing debates about the value of Clear among travelers.
Furthermore, I believe United has the best airline app, featuring helpful tools for travelers like real-time flight countdowns and live weather updates.
Having built personal relationships with United team members through my role at Flying Frugal, I feel a stronger connection to this airline than any other.
These factors have led me to contemplate becoming a United loyalist, initially spurred by its strong presence in Chicago. However, many friends in Chicago who also fly United share my frustrations about the airline’s increasing thresholds for MileagePlus status.
This trend isn’t limited to United; all airlines are making elite status more challenging to achieve. Many travelers expressed outrage when Delta Air Lines revised its SkyMiles program in the fall of 2023.
In summary, neither United nor any other airline is doing anything to incentivize me to pursue status.
I Fly Multiple Airlines
When traveling, I aim to minimize my airport time, a goal made achievable thanks to TSA PreCheck and Clear, which typically reduce my TSA security experience to under five minutes.
If I had elite status or a credit card providing lounge access, I might be tempted to arrive earlier; however, even if I gained access to a lounge, I wouldn’t rush to take advantage of it since many lounges don’t cater to travelers with dietary restrictions. While I acknowledge this is a personal issue, I believe other travelers also desire healthier options in airport lounges.
My priority is minimizing airport time before and after flights, which leads me to choose airlines with the most convenient schedules for my desired destinations. Price also plays a significant role in my decisions. I often prefer flying out of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) due to the hassles of traffic to and from ORD, which can add an hour to my travel time.
Consequently, I frequently opt for Southwest Airlines, which operates out of MDW. When departing from ORD, I try to fly United, but if I discover a more affordable or convenient option with airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or Alaska Airlines, I will take it.
No Program Meets All My Needs
In general, I find the requirements for frequent flyer programs overly complicated. This complexity is compounded by constantly changing conditions and numerous ways to earn status.
Aside from shopping portals—which are among the least effortful methods to contribute to status—I prefer not to stress about pursuing airline status when it fails to convince me of its worth.
Even if I were inclined, no frequent flyer program or credit card offers everything I desire in return: consistent upgrades, lounge access, and priority boarding.
Final Thoughts
The incentive to pursue status no longer appeals to me. Given the unlikely chance that any airline will simplify the process for the average traveler, I do not plan on actively seeking status the way I have in the past.
Travel should be enjoyable. Although I expect some level of travel-related stress, this is one area where I refuse to add to my anxiety.
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