Elite status: The ultimate frequent flier perk

[straitman]

Looks like the some of the world is finally catching on.

Elite status - The ultimate FF perk.

 

[BiziBB]

Yes, the elite bonus miles are a plus. But the overriding attraction of elite status for many is the upgrades.

Who on AFF gets elite upgrades, aside from US domestic flights, and maybe only to PE?
I guess it's all QP benefits and mileage/SC accumulation for us.

 

[Keith009]

Who on AFF gets elite upgrades, aside from US domestic flights, and maybe only to PE?

Those on AA and UA programs with access to EVIPs and SWUs. They are most valuable for international long hauls. UA SWUs can also be used on a standby basis on LH transatlantic flights.

SEN status with LH also = 2 upgrade vouchers which can be used on LH, UA, SQ and NH.

 

[dajop]

NZ offers a complimentary upgrade upon achieving silver, and a second upon achieving gold. I've only ever used them trans tasman, but they can be used on any fare, including awards and on grab-a-seat deals (which I used one on last year).

 

[trooper]

On NZ it is actually 2 complimentary upgrade certs when qualifying/requalifying at Gold/Gold Elite.... ALL upgrades for Gold and below are standby.. which adds a certain amount of anticipation to the process...

Gold Elites can in theory confirm an UG at time of booking but I understand this may be more difficult than it is advertised to be.... wouldn't know.. I'm only Gold....

Upgrades are supposedly processed in status order.... and I suspect that IS actually the case... although the Y+ > "Business Premier" Airpoints UG I actually DID get LAX-AKL as a Base level member was a huge surprise.... and a damn nice one of course... (Monday night out of LAX... traditionally a quieter night for paid C travellers???)

Before that I'd only got "halfway".. to Y+ which is a condition of applying for a Y-C UG....... you have to accept they may only push you up to Premium Economy... there is no "all the way or nothing" option.... you do get refunded the "unused" Airpoints/certificate in that case...

Coming home last monday night was my first attempt at upgrading on that route as a Gold/with a certificate...... and a young NZ employee came and found me in the lounge (and given the quality of NZ's International lounges access HAS to be seen as a huge perk of "status").. about 40 minutes before boarding... with a nice new BP with a much lower seat number...:mrgreen:

I have applied for a total of 3 Transpac UG's since I started travelling more frequently and concentrating my travel on one airline... I got 2 and a half of them.........

Trans tasman I am 100%.......:shock: One Silver cert and 4 Airpoints UG's... even on the A320 (which with only 8 C seats I wouldn't have expected to get)....

Is it any surprise that I am currently rather happy with the NZ FF program?

P.S. NZ's program is also "status year".. not calender year... It is probably not a huge difference but it certainly made my hitting Gold last "year" (and retaining it this "year") somewhat easier!

 

[QF WP]

It's nice to see an article from Tim Winship - probably not as well known to members here like Clifford Reichlin (admin) or Randy Petersen (Flyertalk)