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Here is an alternative algorithm: fly with whichever airline is the cheapest, having a frequent flyer account on each airline. Accumulate miles separately. It

Here is an alternative algorithm: fly with whichever airline is the cheapest, having a frequent flyer account on each airline. Accumulate miles separately. It won't get you a elite status, just a status slightly better than the normal flyer -- and free tickets too. It will prevent you from reaching the extremes of this mile madness, like spending money just to maintain your status. Bonus: when airlines merge, you get a really nice status. It may not be that interesting now with so little airlines in competition, but around year 2000 that was something regular

lucaspiller 11y ago
Also if the airline does have a frequent flyer program, you should always register as they will bump up frequent flyers (even when brand new) before other people. This worked out for me twice so far, one airline bumped me to business on my first ever flight with them.
Justin_K 11y ago
When you have a 1k or global services status, almost all your seats are automatically upgraded to business or first class. It makes spending your life in an airplane seat tolerable. For that reason, it's best to focus. If you haven't spent months of your life in a plane and away from home, it's hard to grasp how valuable an upgrade is.
- scurvy 11y ago
  Fat chance on that if you mostly fly out of hubs. Most 1K's will still be stuck in 20 and 21. Line 1 is 3 times longer than any other line at SFO, EWR, LAX, ORD, etc.
ropiku 11y ago
You would only need one per alliance. You still need to fly quite a lot to get even first level status if you are flying economy and spreading around in multiple airlines. That won't get you much, not even lounge access which is a big benefit. Also on some airlines miles expire.
imartin2k 11y ago
If you are a frequent flier, you want elite status (at least equivalent to Gold), because the perks (especially priority access, Lounge, preferred seats etc) actually make travel better and more convenient. So not putting all eggs in one basket then simply does not do the job. I'd argue that most of those who reach the extremes of mile madness actually love it, even if they sometimes might seem to be irrationally stressed due to pressure to maintain their status. It's a hobby, and one that can get you to unexpected places of the world - even if the initial motivation might have been to chase some miles.
- hammock 11y ago
  >the perks (especially priority access, Lounge, preferred seats etc) actually make travel better and more convenient. So not putting all eggs in one basket then simply does not do the job. For $1067, you can get a year of TSA Precheck, Economy Plus and United Club lounge access, which is about how much you might save by comparison shopping on just half a dozen flights. And if you are a "frequent flier" you are probably flying more than that.
  - morgante 11y ago
    Even better, just get an American Express Platinum Card. It'll give you Global Entry (with Precheck), Priority Pass membership, and $200 in airline credit.
    - toomuchtodo 11y ago
      I'm actually about to let my Amex Platinum Card lapse. It's no longer worth the $450/year fee, despite free Global Entry ever five years. Their points are becoming worthless (Chase has done well in this regard, partnering with United and Southwest), travel booked directly with Amex is usually simple more expensive than other travel aggregators, Costco is dropping taking Amex, etc. I signed up for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and its far superior. Its rental car insurance is first tier/full coverage; I have no need to file a claim with my own insurance ever if I use the card. The rewards are much better, and the yearly fee is only $100.
ubernostrum 11y ago
It won't get you a elite status, just a status slightly better than the normal flyer -- and free tickets too. The lowest tier on the major US carriers is 25k qualifying miles/year. So to maintain the lowest-level status on two of them requires 50k miles/year, and to maintain that on all three requires 75k/year (and remember these are qualifying miles -- you can't get them from pudding cups or other promotions, and while there are ways to get more qualifying miles than you've flown, you either have to actually put your butt on a plane or spend a lot of money on a credit card). Coincidentally, 50k is the next tier up on all three airlines, and 75k is the third tier up on two of the three (American is the odd one out, with only three tiers instead of the four at Delta and United). And to be frank, the "benefits" of the lowest tiers on all three are garbage. You might, if you're lucky, score an extra-legroom seat a few times a year on Delta, for example, or maybe once or twice get an upgrade on a domestic flight (but only if it's not on a busy route). So if you're going to fly enough, you really should aim to get worthwhile status on one airline before spreading miles around to others. (I'm currently Executive Platinum on AA and Platinum on DL, and know whereof I speak on the worthlessness of the lower tiers, since I've had to put up with them in the past)
branchan 11y ago
I think you are forgetting the fact that most people who fly around for work don't really care to pick the cheapest flight. This means they are free to stick to the same airline to accumulate status for themselves.

lucaspiller 11y ago

Also if the airline does have a frequent flyer program, you should always register as they will bump up frequent flyers (even when brand new) before other people. This worked out for me twice so far, one airline bumped me to business on my first ever flight with them.

Justin_K 11y ago

When you have a 1k or global services status, almost all your seats are automatically upgraded to business or first class. It makes spending your life in an airplane seat tolerable. For that reason, it's best to focus. If you haven't spent months of your life in a plane and away from home, it's hard to grasp how valuable an upgrade is.

scurvy 11y ago
Fat chance on that if you mostly fly out of hubs. Most 1K's will still be stuck in 20 and 21. Line 1 is 3 times longer than any other line at SFO, EWR, LAX, ORD, etc.

ropiku 11y ago

You would only need one per alliance. You still need to fly quite a lot to get even first level status if you are flying economy and spreading around in multiple airlines. That won't get you much, not even lounge access which is a big benefit. Also on some airlines miles expire.

imartin2k 11y ago

If you are a frequent flier, you want elite status (at least equivalent to Gold), because the perks (especially priority access, Lounge, preferred seats etc) actually make travel better and more convenient. So not putting all eggs in one basket then simply does not do the job. I'd argue that most of those who reach the extremes of mile madness actually love it, even if they sometimes might seem to be irrationally stressed due to pressure to maintain their status. It's a hobby, and one that can get you to unexpected places of the world - even if the initial motivation might have been to chase some miles.

hammock 11y ago
>the perks (especially priority access, Lounge, preferred seats etc) actually make travel better and more convenient. So not putting all eggs in one basket then simply does not do the job. For $1067, you can get a year of TSA Precheck, Economy Plus and United Club lounge access, which is about how much you might save by comparison shopping on just half a dozen flights. And if you are a "frequent flier" you are probably flying more than that.
- morgante 11y ago
  Even better, just get an American Express Platinum Card. It'll give you Global Entry (with Precheck), Priority Pass membership, and $200 in airline credit.
  - toomuchtodo 11y ago
    I'm actually about to let my Amex Platinum Card lapse. It's no longer worth the $450/year fee, despite free Global Entry ever five years. Their points are becoming worthless (Chase has done well in this regard, partnering with United and Southwest), travel booked directly with Amex is usually simple more expensive than other travel aggregators, Costco is dropping taking Amex, etc. I signed up for a Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and its far superior. Its rental car insurance is first tier/full coverage; I have no need to file a claim with my own insurance ever if I use the card. The rewards are much better, and the yearly fee is only $100.

ubernostrum 11y ago

It won't get you a elite status, just a status slightly better than the normal flyer -- and free tickets too. The lowest tier on the major US carriers is 25k qualifying miles/year. So to maintain the lowest-level status on two of them requires 50k miles/year, and to maintain that on all three requires 75k/year (and remember these are qualifying miles -- you can't get them from pudding cups or other promotions, and while there are ways to get more qualifying miles than you've flown, you either have to actually put your butt on a plane or spend a lot of money on a credit card). Coincidentally, 50k is the next tier up on all three airlines, and 75k is the third tier up on two of the three (American is the odd one out, with only three tiers instead of the four at Delta and United). And to be frank, the "benefits" of the lowest tiers on all three are garbage. You might, if you're lucky, score an extra-legroom seat a few times a year on Delta, for example, or maybe once or twice get an upgrade on a domestic flight (but only if it's not on a busy route). So if you're going to fly enough, you really should aim to get worthwhile status on one airline before spreading miles around to others. (I'm currently Executive Platinum on AA and Platinum on DL, and know whereof I speak on the worthlessness of the lower tiers, since I've had to put up with them in the past)

branchan 11y ago

I think you are forgetting the fact that most people who fly around for work don't really care to pick the cheapest flight. This means they are free to stick to the same airline to accumulate status for themselves.