Premium cabin travel, like United Polaris Business Class that I flew from Honolulu to Guam, is a terrific experience. Read this article for more on the perks! Photo by: Evan Berman

I’ve written before about how I have decided not to pursue Delta Elite Status for 2023 (and certainly not in 2024 and onward– they just made some very customer unfriendly changes last week!). As such, you might think that I do not value elite status. That’s not true! There are countless articles debating the pros and cons of maintaining loyalty with an airline or airlines and it can be confusing, especially if you’re not a business traveler (defined here as someone who’s work will reimburse travel between two cities, no matter the price of the ticket).

That’s why I wanted to discuss the benefits of elite status, with a special focus on how these benefits compare to those you receive when flying in premium cabins (as I primarily do, especially on international flights).

Elite Status Tiers Explained:

Why does elite status exist? As you may have deduced, it was designed to entice wealthy customers and businesses to spend more with an airline. The requirements and benefits differ by airline, but here is the general premise:

• If you spend $X amount of money (generally US only) and fly a certain amount of miles per year, you earn the entry-level status. As you spend more and fly more, the status you earn also increases.
  • Airlines have strayed from the traditional mileage only requirement as they realized many people would find cheap long-haul flights (think New York to Hong Kong for $700 round-trip in economy) and easily achieve top-tier status. These are not the people an airline wants to reward; rather, they want to capture the executive who will pay $700 for a last minute flight between New York and Chicago (for example).
• That being said, generally speaking if you fly a partner airline, the above still applies. For example, if you look to earn Delta Status, flights on Delta earn by $ spent alone. However, if you look to earn Delta status and fly on Air France (or another SkyTeam or other Delta partner), the Elite Qualifying Dollars (Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) for Delta) you earn is still based on both distance and fare.
  • Note: there are rumors that this will change in the future. It already appears Delta’s partner Aeromexico flights will only earn based on the dollar spent and Delta’s M.O. has been customers must spend more while we provide less for years now!
  • The only current exceptions (I would not be surprised if this list grows in the coming years, which is bad news unless you frequently fly expensive short-haul routes) are flights on British Airways and Iberia when crediting to American airlines and American Airlines flights when crediting to British Airways or Iberia, as of October 18, 2023.

Elite Status with Your Preferred Airline:

Since most airlines that people would earn elite status with are affiliated with 1 of the 3 alliances, you get benefits both when flying your airline and when flying with a partner airline. Let’s discuss benefits on your airline first.

Every airline has benefits and it would be overwhelming to write about every last one, so let’s stick to a high-level overview;

• There are generally 3 tiers of elite status (while there may be 4+ levels, they fall into 1 of these 3 tiers): entry-level, mid-tier, and top-tier
• Entry-level status gets you benefits similar to a co-branded credit card in the US: 1 free checked bag, priority boarding, and priority baggage delivery. In some cases, but not all, you also get priority check-in and security lines where this applies. In addition, most airlines offer complimentary upgrades, though know that these are rare to receive at this level on the Big 3 (American, Delta, and United)
• Mid-tier status gets all of the above benefits plus higher priority in upgrades, business class check-in, priority baggage delivery, business class check-in, and business class lounge access (note that with Delta this is only the case when flying in Premium Economy, or Business on international routes and with United and American, this is only the case when flying internationally (excluding Mexico, the Caribbean, Northern South America, and Canada). Outside of the US, this is almost always guaranteed). Additionally, you often (but not always) get a 2^nd free checked bag.
• Top-tier status gets all of the above benefits plus highest priority upgrades (behind only invite-only status holders), first class check-in and first-class lounge access (this only applies to foreign airlines as no North American airlines have International First Class or First Class Lounges).

Elite Status with Your Preferred Airline’s Alliance:

As discussed at length in this article there are 3 main alliances and each has a slightly different approach to Elite Status. While you presumably fly with the airline you earn elite status with the most, should you fly with one of their partners, let’s discuss what benefits come from flying with a partner airline:

• Entry-level status gets priority (often business class) check-in and eligibility for upgrades (on few partners such as as Delta with Air France/KLM) as well as 1 free checked bag.
• Mid-tier status gets the above benefits as well as priority baggage, priority security, a 2^nd free checked bag, and business class lounge access (with certain exceptions)
  • For example, Qatar Airways lounges cannot be accessed unless flying oneworld business or first class. They have lounges in Doha exclusively for oneworld elite members. While I have only visited Qatar’s own First Class Al Safwa Lounge (though will visit the others in February to confirm), reports are that these are much inferior to their own highly regarded lounges.
• Top-tier status gets the above benefits and first class check-in and first class lounge access.
  • With SkyTeam, there are only 2 tiers of status; SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite+. As such, there are no additional benefits from having top-tier status compared to mid-tier status except when flying with your airline or a close partner airline
  • As an example, Air France and KLM both charge seat fees in all classes. If you have Delta Diamond Status (top-tier), you may choose a seat for free. If you have Platinum or below (mid-tier or below), you will still need to pay to choose.
    • Additionally, there are few airlines in SkyTeam that still offer First Class: Air France, China Eastern, Garuda Indonesia, and Korean Air (which is phasing out First Class in the next few years) are the only SkyTeam airlines that still offer First. So, you will not have many of the benefits (first class check-in or lounge access) as you will with top-tier Star Alliance or oneworld elite status.

Do you see a pattern here? It’s almost as though entry-level status entitles you to benefits similar to premium economy passengers (i.e. priority check-in, and free baggage), the benefits of mid-tier status is similar to those of flying business class (lounge access, boarding, and check-in, as well as the priority baggage, boarding, and security), and top-tier status is akin to flying first class (lounge access and check-in as well as priority baggage, boarding, and security).

If so, what’s the point of having elite status if you frequently fly in Business or First Class? Let’s talk about the benefits from flying up front and then examine the similarities and gaps.

Premium Cabin Benefits:

This section is more nuanced that you might think at first blush, given the trend to “unbundling” business class fares in recent years. We see Business Class Light fares from Air France and KLM, British Airways, Finnair, Lufthansa Group Airlines (Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Swiss Airlines) and Qatar Airlines.

Essentially, you can buy a regular business class ticket or a “Business Light” fare with no lounge access or complimentary baggage. On Air France and KLM, you cannot choose a seat. It is almost a certainty that others will follow suit. That being said, here are the typical perks of flying in an international premium cabin:

• Better seat
  • This goes without saying but you are guaranteeing a Business Class or First Class seat by purchasing one of these tickets. If there is a higher class (i.e. First Class when booking Business Class), you are not eligible for an upgrade unless you also have status.
• Lounge Access
  • You get lounge access when flying in Business or First Class (except when flying within the US) just by having this ticket.
  • Note that as I discuss above, many airlines are moving away from this model by “unbundling” and selling only a seat, without the perks such as lounge access. That being said, most times when you fly up front, you will have access to a lounge.
• Free baggage
  • Generally you get either 2 or 3 free checked bags depending on whether you are flying in business or first.
• Priority baggage, boarding, check-in, and security
  • Once again, the check-in would be either business or first, depending on the class you are flying.
  • In certain circumstances, you will be escorted to the plane from the lounge or can board directly from the lounge. The latter almost exclusively applies to A380 flights, usually with Emirates.
• Better treatment
  • This aspect is often overlooked. Let’s face it, flying economy in this day and age can be aptly described as being in the “cattle class”– you are herded onto a plan by generally unhappy and sometimes surly Flight Attendants and are often lucky to receive some peanuts and water (on US carriers).
  • There is a world of difference between that description and having personalized service with a multi-course meal and wine accompaniments. Not every crew is perfect, but you will generally have much more positive interactions when flying in premium cabins. From check-in to arrival, every step of the way is just a bit better than the alternative of flying in economy!

Similarities and Differences:

Hopefully the two above sections gave a solid overview of what having elite status and flying in a premium cabin provide. Let’s examine where the overlaps occur and how they differ:

Both provide:

• Better treatment
  • While the exact details differ (ex. frequent flyers have a dedicated phone line to call when issues arise while premium cabin flyers are able to take advantage of a more stress-free process at the airport and on the plane), having either apply to you means that you will be taken care of.
• Priority baggage, check-in, and security
  • Both groups of travelers have expedited access to lines in airport. From the moment that you arrive at the airport (with check-in) until the time when you pick up your bags at arrival (priority baggage) and everything in between (priority security and boarding), you will have access to shorter and more efficient lines.
  • Depending on your level of status, one group or the other may have a higher level of all of these– at hub airports, there can be a first class and business class check-in and boarding generally goes 1) highest elite status 2) premium cabin travelers 3) other elite status members
• Free baggage
  • No matter how high or low your status, both groups of people are guaranteed free baggage. This can be as many as 2 to 3 free checked bags or just 1 free checked bag, for entry-level status members.
• Lounge access
  • When you fly internationally and have either elite status (above entry-level) or are in a premium cabin, you are entitled to lounge access. While the lounge that you are entitled to visit may vary drastically, depending on cabin, elite status level, airport, airline, etc., you can rest assured that you may visit a lounge.

Now for the difference:

• Guaranteed Premium Seat
  • Death and taxes are the only two guarantees in life or so goes the famous quote. If you have booked a premium cabin ticket, you are guaranteed a premium cabin seat. If you are an elite status member, you may receive an upgrade to a premium cabin no matter what class you book, but it is far from guaranteed. Especially on premium international routes (think New York-London/Paris/Tokyo), your status does not member, you will likely not be upgraded.

Ok, so there’s only one major difference between what you get from holding elite status versus booking a premium cabin ticket. So, that must mean the two are equivalent right? Well, the seat (and all that comes with it; i.e. service, fine dining, alcohol, etc.) is inarguably the most important category of all, especially on long and/or red-eye flights.

Evan’s Thoughts:

I fly quite frequently and often in premium cabins, both First and Business Class. I hold elite status with both Delta and American Airlines. As such, I’ve had many experiences with flying in premium cabins without elite status (namely on any Star Alliance carrier), flying in economy with elite status (on oneworld and SkyTeam airlines), and in premium cabins with elite status. Here are my thoughts on this topic:

• A premium cabin seat is priority #1.
  • From getting a good night’s sleep to having better service and meals (including drinks), this is so important to me, especially on long or red-eye flights. I recently flew economy across the Atlantic (during the daytime) and was reminded why even the worst Business Class flight is better than the best Economy Class flight.
• Elite Status is like insurance– you need it most during times of stress or hardship.
  • When a flight is delayed or cancelled, I don’t make a beeline for the overwhelmed gate agent. Instead, I head to the lounge or call the dedicated phone line for elites. Those two groups of agents are much more competent and helpful and I get to skip the line.
• Upgrades are a nice concept… they should be a pleasant surprise and never be expected.
  • Even on domestic routes, upgrades are few and far between these days. More people than ever are purchasing premium cabins– case in point in 2014, Delta sold 25% of Domestic First Class Seats. Today? They sell 84% of Domestic First Class Seats! Add in how many top-tier elites there are and you can see why it is foolish to expect any upgrades.
  • Few, if any, airlines upgrade their elite members on international routes.
• The optimal combo is obviously Elite Status with a Premium Cabin ticket.
  • That being said, if you are unable to choose both, having either is a great way to improve your travel experience.
  • If you must choose one over the other, consider Premium Cabin ticket for a guaranteed Business/First Class seat and pursue Elite Status for better treatment. Just remember, it may be much cheaper to get elite status than purchase a Premium Cabin ticket!

At the end of the day, you probably want to travel as comfortably as possible. This article shines some light on the two most common ways to do that with flights: flying in premium cabins and having elite status. Personally, I will not much miss my Delta elite status when it expires in January 2024. I rarely get an upgrade and SkyTeam Elite Status is not worth much on partner airlines. The biggest loss is the lack of priority check-in at busy airports.

That being said, I do value American Airlines Elite Status and am working to hit Platinum (mid-tier status) or Platinum Pro (upper mid-tier status) and get oneworld Sapphire (with Platinum) or Emerald (with Platinum Pro or higher) this year, up from entry-level Gold status. I often fly oneworld partners such as Qatar, Japan Airlines, and British Airways when travelling and value the lounge access on the rare occasions when I do not earn it from my fare class!

As always, reach out with any questions. Do you have prefer elite status, booking a premium cabin flight, or both?

Evan