Summary

  • Airline status match offers an easy way to earn elite status with a competing airline.
  • Co-branded credit cards and fast-track activities can help you achieve elite status faster.
  • Flying with smaller airlines and mileage runs can make it easier to earn elite status.

Do you have elite status with an airline? Even if you are not a frequent flier, you can earn an elite status with the airline of your choice. Whether it is flying with the airline itself, its partners, or the alliance group or holding a co-branded credit card, there are numerous ways to earn an airline’s elite status. Simple Flying compiles a list of a few shortcuts that would certainly get you elite airline status quicker.

1

Airline status match

Must already have an elite status with an airline

  • United Airlines
  • Alaska Airlines
  • Turkish Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Delta Air Lines

This may not be considered a shortcut to earning elite status if you do not have status with any airline. However, if you have an elite status with one airline and plan on frequently flying another, an airline status match is the easiest way to earn elite status with a competing airline. Many global airlines, such as United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines, offer direct status matches with competing airlines.

an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX taking off

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

To be qualified for an equivalent match, you need only fill out a simple status match application indicating your current frequent flyer status and point-earning activity. It is worth mentioning that matching airlines offer the same status for a short period (generally 3 to 6 months). During that time, travelers must show their loyalty to the new airline by acquiring miles or points to extend their elite status.

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2

Fast track or a challenge

Taking part in various point-earning activities within a specific time

  • JetBlue
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Frontier Airlines
  • British Airways
  • American Airlines
  • Air Canada

Airlines have created unique opportunities for travelers to earn frequent flier status. Whether it is through special flights, co-branded credit cards, or online shopping, airlines aim to win passengers over, particularly when they hold an elite status with a competing airline. Fast-track activities require you to complete certain point-earning activities, including flights and shopping for specific brands at a reduced rate and within a short period.

American Airlines and JetBlue aircraft at an airport

Photo: EQRoy | Shutterstock

Completing such activities will allow you to earn points faster, which will qualify you for elite status. Airlines offering status matches often require travelers to take part in a challenge within a specific time to either gain a status match or extend it.

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3

Credit cards

Some cards can get you an instant elite status

  • Complimentary elite status at sign-up
  • Bonus miles or points at the time of joining
  • Lower spending limits to retain elite status
  • Frequent upgrades and other elite benefits for members

Co-branded credit cards remain one of the best shortcuts to achieving elite status with airlines. Credit card members begin earning as soon as they sign up for a co-branded credit card. Some credit cards offer an elite status when opening an account. For example, as noted by the AwardWallet blog, Air Canada’s new Aeroplan Credit Card offers complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status (Star Alliance Silver) for the remainder of the year and the following year.

Aeroplan

Photo: Air Canada

Travelers can keep the Silver status with $15,000 in spending in a calendar year or a level-up status (Aeroplan 35K) with $50,000 in account spending in a calendar year. These offers can instantly get you elite status with the airline, which also has numerous opportunities to collect points and earn miles through your credit card.

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4

Flying with smaller airlines

It is much easier to earn an elite status

  • Require less miles to obtain status
  • Offer better benefits at lower levels of status
  • Flights on partner or alliance networks may be qualified

Flying with smaller airlines as opposed to the big names will certainly make it easier to earn an elite status. For example, Alaska Airlines offers the lowest level of elite status at just 20,000 miles. However, the airline only qualifies Alaska-operated flights for status earning. The European low-cost Aegean Air offers the lowest-tier status for only 4,000 miles and the top tier status for 20,000 miles.

Aegean Airlines Airbus A320neo at Athens Airport

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

The small Greek airline is part of the Star Alliance network, allowing its passengers to earn points towards elite status on any airline within the network. Smaller airlines also offer better benefits at lower status levels than larger airlines. Alaska Airlines offers full refunds and more frequent upgrades to its low-tier status members.

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5

Mileage runs

Expand your flight itineraries to earn more

  • Find the lowest fares to fly to specific cities
  • Cheap fares earn you a similar number of miles
  • More flight miles can be earned by expanding your flight

While taking a flight for the sake of earning miles may sound like a waste of time and money, it may not be too bad when you can find the lowest fares to specific cities. It may mean sitting through a long flight during off-peak hours and returning just to earn miles towards elite status.

shutterstock_2182251889
Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock

Alternatively, passengers can also expand their itineraries and take a longer route to their destination.

For example, flying from New York to San Francisco directly would generally cost more and earn fewer miles than connecting through another airport. If the cost is not too different and your schedule permits a little bit of detour, multiple legs would earn you more miles than a direct flight.

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What do you think of the shortcuts to earning elite status with the airline of your choice? Have you used any of these approaches to earn elite status? Share your experiences in the comments section.

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