Did you make it over the elite goal line or to the next status level?
If the answer is yes, keep going. If no, then this is the month when you should decide whether it’s worth buying your elite status level for 2010. Three U.S. carriers offer such buybacks.
American: “2010 Elite Status Renewal” is offered to 2009 Gold and Platinum members who flew at least one qualifying elite segment in 2009, and did not participate in the 2009 “Renewal” program. Gold status costs $349 if you flew more than 20,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or 24 Elite Qualifying Points (EQPs), and $449 if you flew fewer. Platinum elites with more than 40,000 EQMs or 48 EQPs have to shell out $549; their comrades who didn’t get that far will pay $100 more. Offer valid through Apr. 30.
More information: American Elite Renewal
United: “Purchase Elite Qualifying Miles/Segments” is available to 2009 Premier and Premier Executives within 15,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or 15 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) of the goal. The costs range from $300 for those needing 1,000 EQMs/1 EQS to $2,050 (15,000 EQMs/15 EQSs). Offer valid through Feb. 28. Note: Beginning this spring, you’re not buying elite status back for just one airline, but for two: United elites will also receive benefits on Star Alliance partner Continental.
More information: United Purchase EQMs
US Airways: “Buy up to Preferred” is offered year-round to any member. Bottom-tier status costs $1,300, top-tier is $4,000, or just use it to top off EQMs or EQSs as needed (the cost starts at $249 for two EQSs or up to 1,999 EQMs).
More information: US Airways Buy up to Preferred
[aside headline="Delta Elites, Remember That…" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]Rolling over EQMs is only granted to elite members. For everyone else, the mileage meter resets to zero on Jan. 1.[/aside]
Is Buying Back Your Status Worth It?
There’s no pat answer. It depends on how frequently you fly and how attached you’ve become to your tier. Here’s a list of the benefits you’d forfeit or face longer odds in getting.
- Upgrades: The number one reason for having elite status, especially when it comes to domestic travel (also offered for companions traveling with elites).
- No Baggage Fees: Most elite members are allowed up to two free bags and get priority baggage handling. Airlines keep raising the fee to check luggage; right now the first bag is $20 and up, the second $30 and up.
- Preferred Seats: You get the first shot at exit and bulkhead rows in coach—for free. United and US Airways now sell these seats to non-elites for $5 to $120 one-way depending on the route.
- Mileage Bonuses and Minimum Mileage Guarantee: Most elite programs offer at least a 25% mileage bonus and award a minimum 500 miles, even if the flight is shorter.
- Priority Boarding and Check-in: Even if you’re flying coach, you can go to the First or Business Class check-in counter and security lanes, both of which are bound to be shorter than those for steerage. You also get to board first, which is a godsend if you’re sitting in coach on a full flight, as you avoid the Darwinian struggle for bin space.
- Alliance Benefits: Your elite status carries over to other alliance members, which nets decent recognition at times.
[aside headline="Next Month:" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]How the American Express Black Card gets you elite access with three airlines.[/aside]
Before You Reach for Your Credit Card…
Some people don’t need elite status. You may be one of them. So before you pay the ransom to regain your status, here’s a profile of the flyer who can do without it:
- Buys First or Business Class tickets and chooses an airline based on the most direct route rather than to rack up miles
- Won’t travel as much in 2010 as in 2009.
- Doesn’t care about baggage fees because only travels with carry-on.