4 ms·
Avid mileage runner here. It does seem like the end of an era, though there are still some smaller loopholes available to be exploited for cheap status. For ex
by mef 12y ago
Avid mileage runner here. It does seem like the end of an era, though there are still some smaller loopholes available to be exploited for cheap status.
For example, for Star Alliance flyers, until recently (yesterday in fact) you could achieve Star Alliance Gold status (priority check in and boarding, free checked bags, first to be upgraded, last to be bumped, lounge access, etc) for cheap by registering for Aegean Airlines' loyalty program as they only required 20k miles to achieve Gold status whereas most other Star Alliance partners require 50k. You could also keep this status for 3 years as long as you logged some miles each year (other airlines require you make the 50k level every year.)
Yesterday Aegean too announced revisions to their loyalty program which pretty much put an end to this. But there are still other loopholes in other airlines' programs being rooted out by the dedicated.
- vpontis 12y agoWhere do you go to find these loopholes? Or is it just a lot of individual research?
- SeoxyS 12y agoThe trick I've used to get Star Alliance Gold really fast is to hop up using status match challenges. Find any non-Star-Alliance airline where you can get silver status easily; and email premiermatch@united.com. They'll probably give you gold status immediately, and you have 3 months to fly 12,500 miles to secure it through the following year. FoundersCard right now has the benefit of instant silver status on Cathay Pacific (OneWorld), no need for any flying. (Email me if you're interesting in a referral link.) Using this method, the only cost to getting gold status is (1) FoundersCard membership dues (easily pays for itself with other discounts), and (2) a round-trip to Europe or Asia, plus maybe a domestic flight to round up the miles earned.
- saryant 12y agoNote that most airlines now limit you to one status match per lifetime.