Earning Or Retaining Elite Flier Status

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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While most travelers prefer cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages, frequent fliers often treasure their elite flier status because it accords them the ability to often board first and be granted upgrades and other privileges.

Time is running out for top tier frequent fliers. On January 1st miles that go towards earning elite status automatically reset to zero on most airlines. To earn special frequent flier status with an airline fliers typically have to fly between 25,000 to 125,000 miles a year, or 30 to 140 segments, depending on the airline.

In the past December was the month where serious frequent fliers often topped off their accounts through so called mileage runs where they made round trip flights on a single day simply to earn additional mileage.

Now frequent fliers can retain or attain elite levels without making such last minute flights. Airlines have started selling miles outright and often allow frequent fliers to earn mileage through credit card bonuses and other promotions.

Frequent fliers should remember that mileage bonuses for buying through ...
... airline retail partners usually do not count towards earning elite status although it is a good way to rack up miles for future trips.

Sometimes airlines offer their frequent fliers a way to retain their status even if not earned by the end of the year. Airlines frequently offer fliers close to earning elite status, generally defined as between 5 to 7 percent short on miles, a second chance to win back their status early in the next year.

Last year United offered select elite fliers the chance to maintain Premier Executive status in the new year by buying or flying 17,500 miles toward elite status by the end of February.
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