Ask yourself these seven questions to determine if airline status is worth it for you.
Getting upgraded on planes—whether to first-class or a premium-economy seat—makes travel feel like less of a chore. There’s more leg room, a full meal (or at least better snacks), and you’re closer to the front, ready to tackle tight layovers or avoid the “let me off the plane” syndrome as dozens of people in front of you slowly remove bags from the overhead bin.
However, while nearly everyone agrees that upgraded days are the best days, there’s a solid divide, and maybe even a disagreement, among frequent fliers about strategies for earning and redeeming miles. It all comes down to this key question: Is it really worth it to get airline status?
Here are questions to ask when pursuing airline status. No traveler’s situation, even if you fly out of the same airport and maintain a similar travel frequency, is the same as anyone else’s. How far will you go to earn miles and eventual status with an airline? Or is it like gambling, that you know to stop when you’re already ahead and before you’re financially in the hole?
