Continuing on yesterday’s post about low-level elite tiers, today we’ll get into where the real benefits begin to appear. After flying 50K miles a year, airlines finally start to roll out the red carpet and treat you like a VIP. Benefits are noticeably better than what you can get with a co-branded credit card. I know for some of you 25K miles a year sounds like a lot. It certainly was for me when I started. But as someone who now flies over 100K miles a year, I can tell you that 50K is easy. Really easy: less than one transcon a month, or maybe four flights to Europe or Asia. If you want to get started with mileage running and feel you need to get your money’s worth in benefits, this is a good starting goal.
Don’t forget to head back to yesterday’s post for a definition of some terms. As before, I won’t go over every last benefit. I’m focusing on the ones worth taking advantage of and which differentiate either different programs or different tiers within the same program. Some have started to ask questions about non-U.S. programs like Aegean, but I think that’s a whole separate strategy. I’ll cover international programs in a different post.
United Airlines - MileagePlus Premier Gold
Must accrue 50K EQM or 60 segments. In either case, at least 4 segments must be on United-operated flights.
- Three (3) free checked bags for yourself and all companions on the same reservation. The weight limit increases to 70 pounds each.
- Access to priority check-in and security lines.
- Unlimited domestic upgrades (certain domestic routes, like EWR-HNL and JFK-SFO are excluded; some international routes are also eligible).
- Unlimited upgrades for one companion.
- Minimum 500 RDM/EQM for every flown segment and 50% bonus on RDM.
- Free Economy Plus seat assignments for yourself and one companion at booking.
- Discounted fees for changing or canceling awards or booking close-in.
- No fee for same-day flight changes.
- Access to the United Club and other Star Alliance Gold lounges when traveling on an international itinerary.
Scottrick’s Opinion: As a Premier Gold, you’re finally getting some decent benefits. People may complain that they’ve been pared back, but I still see them in line with most competitors. At this level and beyond, you won’t have to worry about overweight bag fees. I ship boxes of wine for free all the time. But you only get three bags for yourself and one companion. The other main benefit is free Economy Plus at booking for all flights. Most fees are still in place, just discounted, but same-day changes and standbys are now free if you have a flexible schedule. When traveling internationally, you’ll get free access to domestic and international lounges to make those layovers easier (almost all airlines offer this to mid-tiers). If you are going to fly United, this should be your minimum target.
American Airlines - AAdvantage Platinum
Must accrue 50K EQM, 60 segments, or 50K points.
- Two (2) free checked bags for you and all companions on the same reservation.
- Access to priority check-in and security lines.
- Earn four (4) x 500-mile upgrades for every 10K EQM flown. One 500-mile upgrade must be redeemed for every 500 miles, or portion thereof, traveled by the flight you want to upgrade. Additional 500-mile upgrades can be purchased.
- Minimum 500 RDM/EQM earned for every flown segment and 100% bonus on all RDM.
- Free Preferred and Preferred Plus seat assignments at booking. Preferred Plus seats are only available to AAdvantage elite members.
- Certain elite privileges extend to travel on Alaska Airlines (but no upgrades).
- Access to the Admirals Club and other oneworld Sapphire lounges when traveling on an international itinerary.
Scottrick’s Opinion: Unlike the step-up we see from United, American doesn’t really offer anything new except a larger RDM bonus and access to lounges on international itineraries. In fact, it’s 100% bonus is the largest at the mid-tier, tied with Delta, as many others have gone lower. You will probably fly enough to get some benefit from 500-mile upgrade certificates, but you’ll still need to use them every time you want to sit up front. I think American remains a good choice if you really want the 100% bonus miles, but personally it does a better job differentiating itself from its competitors’ programs at the top and bottom tiers.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles Gold Medallion
Must accrue 50K EQM or 60 segments. EQM beyond the threshold roll over to the next year.
- Two (2) free checked bag for yourself and all companions on the same reservation.
- Access to priority check-in and security lines.
- Unlimited domestic upgrades, including award tickets.
- Unlimited upgrades for one companion.
- No fee for same-day flight changes.
- 100% bonus on all RDM.
- Free Economy Comfort seats on domestic routes at booking (still not free for international; see details).
- Access to the Sky Club and other SkyTeam lounges when traveling on an international itinerary.
- Certain elite privileges extend to travel on Alaska Airlines.
Scottrick’s Opinion: At this stage I think Delta’s program looks very similar to Alaska’s. Only two free bags instead of three. You’re only just now getting access to the priority security check-point. It makes sense that the cross-program elite privileges also increase. However, you’re getting a 100% bonus on RDM, like American, which is higher than most programs 50%. If you fly this often and only use Alaska occasionally, Delta SkyMiles might be a better choice. I find it annoying that only domestic Economy Comfort seats are free at booking. You’ll still have to wait for international routes. But only United has had long-term financial success with offering extra legroom, and things might yet change.
US Airways - Dividend Miles Gold Preferred
Must accrue 50K EQM or 60 segments.
- Three (3) free checked bags for yourself and all companions on the same reservation.
- Access to priority check-in and security lines.
- Most fees waived, including for booking revenue and award flights and for making same-day changes.
- Unlimited domestic upgrades.
- Unlimited upgrades for one companion.
- Minimum 500 RDM/EQM for every flown segment and 50% bonus on RDM.
- Free preferred seat assignments, including the exit row.
- Access to the US Airways Club and other Star Alliance lounges when traveling on an international itinerary.
- “Special Dividends” awards after reaching 35K miles, including savings on US Airways Vacations packages and free trial Preferred Silver status for a friend.
Scottrick’s Opinion: US Airways likes to charge fees and is known for its restrictive award booking policies. It’s nice, then, that most of those get waived by the time you reach Preferred Gold status. Although you get three bags for all companions, unlike United’s limit of one companion, the weight limit of 50 lbs is still imposed. Many other perks are similar to United, though US Airways also has a Special Dividends programs that provides new rewards when you reach certain thresholds between tiers. (United killed this just as I reached Premier 1K 
). These are nothing special, but will come in handy at higher tiers. Don’t forget that if you credit just one flight to Dividend Miles, you can buy the remaining EQM. (Up to 49,999 costs only $1,499.) If you want to just give it a try or fast-track your progress, pay $400 for trial Gold status and fly 15,000 EQM in 90 days to keep it.
Alaska Airlines - Mileage Plan MVP Gold
Must accrue 40K EQM or 60 segments on Alaska-operated flights. 50K miles or 60 segments are required if including credit from partner-operated flights.
- Two (2) free checked bag for yourself and all companions on the same reservation.
- Access to priority check-in and security lines.
- Almost all fees waived, including for canceling or changing revenue tickets.
- Unlimited upgrades.
- Unlimited companion upgrades.
- Four (4) Guest Upgrades for those not traveling with you.
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage when traveling in the main cabin.
- 100% bonus on all RDM.
- Free preferred seat assignments.
- Certain elite privileges extend to travel on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines (upgrades with Delta only). Delta benefits improved over those at MVP level.
Scottrick’s Opinion: As I mentioned yesterday, Alaska has a relatively generous program. 40K miles is not a lot as long as you think you can do it with just one airline. (Remember, their other benefit is that they share a lot of partners.) I like that you finally get access to premium security check-points and companion upgrades, which are benefits United and other airlines offer at their lowest tiers. The 100% bonus RDM is great as long as it sticks. Getting only two free bags seems weak, but I’ve rarely needed three. What may be truly unique is the ability to award upgrades to friends and family who aren’t even traveling with you.
Summary
At this stage you are traveling enough that benefits begin to matter more than a preferred carrier. You probably have some international travel and will be using partners anyway. Two of the biggest variations between programs are the amount of free baggage and the amount of bonus RDM. The new industry trend is toward 50% at 50K miles, but some still offer 100%. You might go for one of those, but I don’t know how long it will last.
Baggage is less of an issue. Many frequent travelers don’t check bags at all, but I still do because of a lot of family travel and bringing presents back and forth. United has the most generous policy with three free bags at 70 lbs or less. Most other carriers limit you to two or three bags of 50 lbs or less. (Delta will let you have one bag at 70 lbs.) I never worry anymore about checking things with United.
All carriers offer access to airport lounges when traveling on an international itinerary (this includes both domestic and international airports part of the same trip), so you might consider which airports you transit through and their facilities. Not all have showers, which can be quite welcome.
Finally, a few unique benefits begin to appear. US Airways has its Special Dividends program. Alaska Airlines has its free upgrades for friends traveling without you. As we continue to climb the elite status mountain, additional unique and differentiating features are going to make comparisons more difficult.
About Scott Mackenzie
