Airlines very much do optimize for the traveler but not for the occasional traveler. The experience is optimized for the person who travels all the time and is

Airlines very much do optimize for the traveler but not for the occasional traveler. The experience is optimized for the person who travels all the time and is loyal to a specific brand. Having top status with an airline changes everything you get greeted by name. Complimentary upgrades are showered upon you. Even if you don't get upgraded on a flight it's guaranteed that the head purser knows where you're sitting on that flight. I've been on an full international flight we're the only seat I could get was some cheap one in the back and before take off the head purser came by and introduced themselves offered me complimentary drinks asked if I needed anything and if I did to ring them at any time. Everyone around me looked at me like they had no idea what was going on. Top tier status also usually conveys dedicated support numbers where the wait times are either non-existent or in the minutes. When airlines staff see your status their attitude changes. Sometimes the airport personnel don't seem to care like in one instance they had closed the door to the jet bridge but not to the airplane and they wouldn't let me board. A call to the 800 number resulted in a call to the person within about 45 seconds and the jet bridge door was opened up again. Maybe this isn't the answer you're looking for but the more money you spend the better your experience is this is generally the case with anything. Because if you only fly occasionally and you're searching out the cheapest fares regardless of airlines you have no loyalty to them therefore why would they have any loyalty to you?