HOUSTON — It used to be that earning elite status with an airline could get you some pretty powerful perks, from first-class upgrades to miles for free flights and access to luxurious lounges.
But as the Wall Street Journal reports, travelers are questioning whether it’s worth sticking with the same airline every time they fly.
Part of the problem is the pandemic. When everyone stopped traveling, customers couldn’t earn the miles necessary to keep their elite status. For a while, airlines eased restrictions, but that changed this year. About 20 million travel loyalty program members had their status downgraded according to the journal.
On top of that, customers say using the perks that come along with elite status has gotten harder. The number of miles needed to book flights has surged, including doubling in some cases.
Also with fuller flights, getting an upgrade to business or first class is a lot harder, simply because the seats aren’t available. To make it worse, the lounges are so packed that people report having to wait in long lines just to get their free drink.
So, what can you do?
Many fliers have returned to shopping around, but the experts still say it is worth it to sign up for loyalty programs. If you don’t, you could be leaving free money on the table. While some of the flashy perks may be harder to get, don’t overlook advantages like a dedicated phone line for elite travelers when you run into trouble.