Entry-level status

Gaining status with an airline

What is the point of flying just one airline, when it forces you to pick less than optimal connections, pay a couple of extra dollars from time to time, and generally limits your options?

Not my SkyMiles Card

Status - those little perks the airline throws at you for continuing to choose them for your travel.  So what does status get me?  Assuming that you don't have status, we'll examine the entry-level status for each of the big US airlines (Delta, US, American, United, and Southwest).  We'll examine status over a couple of days, starting today with how to get it.

Attaining status

This essentially means flying a lot with one particular airline, as this is the main way to gain status.  There are certain airlines that allow earning status through other means, however the bulk will likely come from having butt-in-seat (BIS) activity with them.

How is it done?  Each airline requires their flyers to earn a minimum number of elite/status-qualifying miles to reach a status, which is done by flying that airline or one their partners.  Notably, 1 mile flown doesn't always equal 1 mile towards status.  Let's use American as an example.  This chart is directly from their website:

Fare Purchased	Booking Class	Points Per Qualifying Mile Earned
First Class	A, F, P	1.50
Business Class	D, I, J,R	1.50
Full-Fare Economy Class	B, Y,W*	1.50
Discount Economy Class	H, K, M, L, W, V	1.00
Deep Discount Economy Class	G, Q, N, O**, S	0.50

As you can see, there are some fares that earn EXTRA qualifying points and some that earn FEWER points.  It pays to fly the airline you're trying to gain status on, as opposed to their partners.  Iberia is a partner in the AAdvantage plan, however it is harder to gain status on AA flying on Iberia, as shown in this chart

Class of Service	Purchased Fares Booked in:	Base Miles (elite status qualifying)	Class of Service Bonus Miles	Elite Qualifying Points Per Mile Earned
First Class	F	100%	50%	1.50
Business Class	C, D, I, J, R	100%	25%	1.50
Full Fare Economy Class	Y	100%		1.50
Discount Economy Class	B, H, K, L, M, V, W, Z, A	80%*		1.00
Deep Discount Economy Class	G, N, O, P, Q, S, E	80%*		0.50

A number of the "standard" discount economy tickets earn qualifying points at 80% of miles flown, and some deeply discounted classes earn at a measly 40%.  Some fares will earn you as few elite qualifying points as 12.5% of miles flown.
Of note, Delta will grant you 500 miles for any segment flown, as long as it's in a qualifying class.  Other airlines do the same, but only once you've achieved status.

Additionally, qualifying for status may be done based on the number of segments flown.  This essentially is a counting every time you step on to an aircraft as one segment.

Essentially, status is achieved through flying.  A lot, and mainly on one airline.

Minimums

Now let's look at the minimum number of elite/status-qualifying miles needed for each of these programs.

	American	Delta	Southwest	United	US
Lowest level	Gold	Silver	A-List	Silver	Silver
Minimum Qualifying Miles	25,000	25,000	35,000	25,000	25,000
Minimum Qualifying Segments	30	30	25	30	30
Status Dates	3/1-2/28	3/1-2/28	1/1-12/31	2/1-1/31	3/1-2/28

All of these requirements are pretty similar, except for Southwest who requires more miles and fewer segments (as they provide more non-stop flights between small-medium sized airports).  

Notably, I find the fare exceptions on American the most restrictive - they award partial EQM for flying their own airline, something that the other US airlines do not do.

Timeline

All of these programs require your flight activity for status to occur in a calendar year.  This means January 1st - December 31st.  You may not combine activity from one year to another (with the exception of Delta, but only if you've already achieved status - more on this in a later post).  For example, if you flew 20,000 miles in 2012, and 5,000 in 2013 on US - you have no status.  However, if you flew all 25,000 of those miles in 2012, you would hit US Silver status.

Status for most airlines starts immediately (+/- a few days) once you have hit your minimum threshold and continues to the end of the following year's dates (shown above).  For example, for Southwest if you qualify as an A-List on 9/1/2012, you will be an A-List until 12/31/2013.  For United, should you qualify on 9/1/2012, you will remain A-List until 1/31/2014.

Perks of entry-level status

Mileage

As I alluded to there are a number of perks to having status.  One such perk is extra miles earned per mile flown (25%+ bonuses) as well as applied 500 mile minimums, which will get you more miles per flight to get that award ticket.  A couple also make it a bit easier to redeem those miles.  Here's how the big US airlines compare:

	American	Delta	Southwest	United	US
Bonus	25%	25%	25%	25%	25%
500 mile min	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
More low awards	No	Yes	No	Yes*	No

*Coach awards only

Pretty similar across the board, but no mile minimum with Southwest.  This can really hurt those who use Southwest for short flights (for me this would be STL-MCI or STL-MDW).  

Additionally, Delta and United release a few more low-level award seats to their Silver members.  This can be especially helpful if you'd like to redeem some of the miles you've gained.  It should be noted, that although Delta has increased availability for their silver members, it's still pretty terrible.

Baggage and boarding

With all of the fees you can accrue flying frequently, this area is a great perk of status.  Free checked bags and early boarding (so you can find overhead space for your carry-on), as well as quick delivery of your bags to the baggage carousel after landing can make the whole flying experience easier.  Several airlines also grant priority screening through an elite lane, getting you past TSA sooner.

	American	Delta	Southwest	United	US
Priority boarding	Yes	Yes*	Yes	Yes	Yes
Security Priority	Yes	No@	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Checked bag	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Baggage handling	No	No	No	Yes	No

*Zone 1 boarding, after other elites

@Some airports allow TSA screening through priority lane

Of note, this seems to be an area of incremental benefit for American and United over the other airlines, as the perks are a bit better.  The only benefit for Southwest here is the security priority at their hubs (note that two checked bags are currently free for all flyers).

Seating

Many airlines are now charging for seats in the exit row or near the front of the plane, but this cost can be avoided with status.  United and Delta also offer an economy section that has more leg room at each seat.  You can also be upgraded to first class if there's space available.  This is a favorite perk of most frequent flyers (caution: it's dangerously addictive)

Here's what status can do for those:

	American	Delta	Southwest	United	US
Preferred seating	Booking	Booking+	No	Check-in	Booking
Upgrades	Vouchers	Unlimited	X	Unlimited	Unlimited
Companion upgrade	Vouchers	Unlimited	X	Unlimited	Unlimited

+Delta has two-tiered preferred seating, which is preferred and economy comfort.  Preferred (typically exit row) seating is available at booking, and economy comfort is available after the check-in window opens.

Upgrades - It's important to note that upgrades are by no means guaranteed in these unlimited programs.  Upgrades are only granted if space in the first class cabin is available AND all higher elites and similar level elites with higher fares have cleared.  With all of these programs, it's probably in your best interest to ensure evaluated all other perks more heavily due to the infrequency with which upgrades will come.
American is a bit different, in that they issue 500-mile vouchers.  These must be forfeited in a ratio of 1:500 miles of a flight for a first class seat.  American Gold members are issued 4 vouchers for every 10,000 miles flown, and no upgrades are offered once these are used.

Assistance and intangibles

There are a number of other perks associated with having status.  All airlines grant their elites higher priority on the phone (meaning shorter wait times).  Additionally, elites receive priority rebooking during irregular operations (IRROPs).  This is especially helpful when weather or mechanical issues strike.

Some airlines give their low-level elites free (US) or discounted (United) same-day changes when available, which is a great perk if you get out of a meeting early and want to head home, or you're trying to snag an upgrade.  More on this later.

I've also noted that Delta (and probably other airline) agents are more likely to bend rules for an elite (even low-level).  For instance, I've been granted change-fee waivers and have been allowed to book otherwise illegal connections because of my status.  These certainly help with making travel plans easier.

Other perks

There are numerous other perks available for low-level elites, including discounted lounge memberships (I recommend against this - many other ways to get lounge access), waived/discounted fees on awards, and special offers aimed at gaining even more miles.  You'll can view these perks on the respective airlines' websites

American

Delta

Southwest

United

US

My choice

I fly Delta.  There are a number of reasons, but first is location/family.  I was based in BOS and DTW for a number of years, and Delta was a best option.  I also have a family member working for them in ATL who would occasionally give me buddy passes.  Now that I am unbound by a hub (STL), I have my choice and continue to stay with them.  All of the programs have shortcomings, but Delta has a great preferred/economy comfort seating program for elites.  Additionally, the availabilty of rollover miles (to be discussed later) is a wonderful perk.  Ultimately, the decision is all about what's important to you, and what perks are available for you!

Summary

The combined chart is here.  Best of luck choosing your program!

	American	Delta	Southwest	United	US
Bonus	25%	25%	25%	25%	25%
500 mile min	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
More low awards*	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Priority boarding	Yes	Yes*	Yes	Yes	Yes
Security Priority	Yes	No@	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Checked bag	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Baggage handling	No	No	No	Yes	No
Preferred seating	Booking	Booking+	No	Check-in	Booking
Upgrades	Vouchers	Unlimited	X	Unlimited	Unlimited
Companion upgrade	Vouchers	Unlimited	X	Unlimited	Unlimited