What makes you chasing airline status?

[LionKing]

As many are thinking of status runs and chasing higher status for various airlines, may I ask what is the main motive for achieving higher status?
For me I am Platinum with Qantas, however I am not seeing Platinum as my ultermate prize, rather it is Lifetime Gold.
As for myself who has families in SE Asia, East Asia and Europe, it is utmost important that I can have additional baggage allowance, which even a higher Economy fare is not able to achieve this.
On average, I bring 70kgs of baggage to Australia every 6 months and that is very important that I do that to ensure I can enjoy the goods that I wanted and mostly overseas.
ShouldI become LTG, then I will forever worry free with baggage allowance when travelling with Qantas and OneWorld.
What about you? What are your motives in achieving a higher status with airlines?

 

[BCons]

My main motive in chasing status is being looked after when things go wrong.. Case in point - last year return from MXP to Aust with SQ. Flight MXP/SIN was late so we were at risk of missing connx to MEL. We were met at SIN arrvl gate by ground staff with fresh BP's to Perth and then domestic leg PER/MEL. Our bags were retrieved and re-tagged. When I explained our revised arrvl time into MEL would mean we missed an onward flt to Hobart (on a seperate booking), SQ said they wud organise a room at MEL airport hotel. Ground staff met us on arrvl MEL, took us over to the airport hotel and made sure we were sorted out there at their expense. So thats why I like status.. Had similar (but not quite as personal) service from Lufthansa (tks to * gold)

 

[aikman]

I want LTG for lounge access. I know that I will never be able to eat enough ham & cheese toasties in my life to recover the amount I will spend on status runs, yet I still want it anyway.

 

[RooFlyer]

I don’t ‘chase status’. It comes from the flying I do across multiple airlines.

 

[Flyerwin]

I don't chase status. Status chase me.

 

[Forg]

For the few I know IRL who go out of their way to do status-runs, it’s mostly a hobby.
Switching it over from being fun, to there being an actual need that has some importance, would surely take all the fun out of it & make it too much like “work”? If it becomes "work" there's a LOT of time consumed by it!

 

[VPS]

I gave that up several years ago when I hit LTG with Qantas and even then I didn't actively chase status

 

[kileskus]

For the sense of importance, to impress the occasional girl that travels with me, and the priority security lane to bypass the people who struggle to take off their belts and shoes.

One could also chase career achievements, financial stability, self-improvement etc. but those aren't as fun.

 

[elanshin]

I "optimise" status rather than chase it. (I usually don't go much beyond 1200-1300 SC on QF a year). This year I may end up a bit more due to some freebies that I didn't count on (long haul J being turned from award to full fare due to involuntary rebooking). LTG before Qantas decides they should follow the VA model is probably the primary reason beyond platinum.

I did look into a few others in OW but for my flying and where I need to go for business, QF is the easiest to maintain. Beyond QF, I have dabbled here and there with both VA, *A and Skyteam a bit.

 

[drron]

I don't chase status. Status chase me.

I stopped chasing status 15 years ago when I made LTP on AA. I did “accidentally make “ BA gold when 2 of their special return to BKK a year got me there. Same flights as a QF Circle Asia fare which was more expensive with less reward.
We now fly which ever airline we get awards on. Only had to pay for one medium haul flight this year and none next year until December trip.