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The title to this article can be interpreted in at least two ways; one way you could look at it as what you can do to get through quickly once it’s your turn. Another way to look at it includes not only looking at once it’s your turn, but also how to move through quicker than other passengers. These tips will cover both ways of looking at it, and should definitely be used together if possible.
Let’s start by looking at what you can do to make the process quicker for yourself once it’s your turn. The main rule here is: Be Prepared! Know what to expect before you reach the checkpoint. Visit the airport’s website beforehand and read up on the security screening process. Do you need to show ID (most often: yes); know what types of ID are acceptable and required. Check whether or not you have to remove tablet computers and e-readers. Some airports require this while others don’t. Travelling with a laptop? It will probably have to be screened separately. Most countries also require you to be a passenger departing from that airport on the day to gain access into the secure area. Have your boarding pass ready and available for inspection together with your ID so you don’t have to waste time looking for it when asked. Don’t put it away until you are through, you may need to show it again.
Another easy thing you can do to be prepared is put everything that’s in your pockets into your carry-on. If you are carrying as few loose items as possible, you can really speed things along because as opposed to having to dig through your pockets and put everything in a tray separately all you have to do is put your bag on the conveyor belt. Speaking of belts; now is also the time to remove it. You’d be surprised how many people forget to empty their pockets or take off their belt and then have to be frisked because they set off the scanners and detectors.
If you are travelling with large electronics, know where they are and have them easily accessible. More often than not they have to be scanned separately, and can have nothing on top or underneath. If you travel frequently in or through the US, have a look at TSA approved laptop bags. Usually they feature a zipper compartment that clears the laptop pouch from the rest of the bag when it is scanned.
Make sure you have no liquids in your carry-on. We should all know to limit ourselves to one small clear plastic bag with individual small containers of liquid; but many people forget that water bottle, or duty-free purchase they quickly stuck in the bag. Do a check before your bag goes through on whether you have taken out all liquids. Oh, and that small plastic bag; remember to take it out and have it screened separately too.
Wear easy to remove shoes. You can save a lot of time at security by choosing the right footwear. We do not recommend sandals, or other types of open shoes from a safety perspective; but I’d leave the lace-up utility boots in the suitcase, or at home. Have your shoes ready to be taken off by the time you reach the conveyor belt. Not all countries require you to take off your shoes, so remember to make a note of it when you check the airport’s website. Also try to avoid any shoes with metal in them.
Sound like a lot to remember, well it is. As with anything, practice makes perfect and you’ll get a routine down quickly. But how about being quicker through security than many of your other travelling companions?! It is possible. In the US there are schemes like TSA PRE and CLEAR that will do background checks on you and give you a dedicated security queue to use which may mean that you don’t have to take off your shoes, remove your liquids bag, or take out your laptop. Other countries have similar schemes that are paid for, such as Privium in the Netherlands; or Nexus in Canada.
Have elite status. Many airports have dedicated lanes for frequent travellers with elite status in their airline. Sometimes to access these special lanes you don’t even need to have elite status, but your airline or the airport will sell it to you. Make sure to check on your airport’s website if there is a priority security option. Often times, a business-class or first-class ticket will grant you access to these queues.
Other ways of getting priority security can come through credit cards (AmEx platinum at Toronto Pearson Airport for example); or lounge memberships. Always remember though, you will have to go through security to get on a plane, and these options may not always be available. Remain friendly and stay calm.
Are you a sun seeker or a snow owl? When winter comes around those of us in the more extreme latitudes tend to have our preferences and many of them involve getting away. For those seeking a luxury escape, there are plenty of options. Why not take a cruise and stop at multiple destinations along the way. Or if even that is still not exclusive enough, hire a yacht and crew and you determine where to go and what to see surrounded by unparalleled luxury.
Looking at the destinations that the New York Times has picked as its top 52 places to see in 2016, we’ve spotted a few great VIP winter destinations, and we’ll add a few of our own too. What do you think? Let us know using the hashtag #VIPWinter2016.
In no particular order,
Virgin Islands
The New York Times specifically states St. John as the place to go before retail takes over one of the more secluded coves. Boasting a great climate and stunning vistas there are perfect retreats right across the chain of islands. Not far from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean destinations; the Virgin Islands are a great place to go, to soak up some sun while relaxing on the beach.
Iceland
If you’re trying to escape the cold in the winter then this destination probably isn’t for you. This tiny island nation near the arctic is a great destination in the winter for those seeking a more adventurous holiday. For those not willing to venture too far off the beaten path Iceland has the perfect mix of rugged scenery and modern convenience. Enjoy the thermal baths while admiring the northern lights overhead.
Cuba
Travel to Cuba is slowly opening up for Americans, but the rest of the world has been able to explore this nation for years. The New York Times focuses in on the western tip of the island, but there’s so much to see and explore. For the all-inclusive beach-resort lovers there are plenty of options; but why not check out Havana for a more unconventional holiday.
Colorado
Nothing says winter skiing quite like Colorado. Luxury resorts Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge… These have become almost synonymous with luxury ski getaways. With a season that can last well into April, Colorado ranks among our favourite winter destinations for the active traveller.
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The cruise industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. With many cruise lines offering ships that are getting bigger and bigger, more and more people are beginning to take to the seas for their next vacation. Launched in 2010 Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas took the crown of biggest passenger vessel away from its sister-ship Oasis of the Seas by a mere two inches. Both ships can accommodate a whopping 6,296 passengers at full capacity with over 2,000 crew on board. Whilst the numbers are certainly impressive, Royal Caribbean has set out to cater to a wide range of travellers. Offering service levels which range from a 150 square foot interior stateroom, to the over ten times larger Royal Loft Suite measuring in at 1,599 square foot not including the 874 square foot balcony; Royal Caribbean gives the travellers choice in what they can get all in one ship.
Though impressive, size isn’t everything in cruise ships. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Carnival all cater to a wide audience. There are, however, cruise lines with smaller, more niche cruise ships that cater to an elite level of passenger willing to spend more; but deserving of the utmost in pampering and luxury. Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which is part of Norwegian Cruise Lines, offer an “all-inclusive” cruise designed for the luxury traveller. When the ship launched in 2001, the Seven Seas Mariner broke with convention and was the first all-suite all-balcony ship. With a passenger to crew ratio of 700:445 it can easily be said that the focus is on offering a personalized, individual service to guests.
Crystal Cruises is another name in the lineup of luxury cruise providers. Once part of the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha; it operated independently from the major passenger lines sailing with a fleet of two ships until 2015 when the line was sold to Genting Hong Kong which owns Star Cruises and is a major shareholder in Norwegian Cruise Lines. Also in 2015, Crystal added a third vessel to its fleet the Crystal Esprit billing it as the most exclusive luxury yacht at sea. Hosting only 62 passengers; the Crystal Esprit is a departure from the traditional cruise format and certainly caters to a very selective audience.
What can these cruise lines offer their passengers? Innovation is fast-paced in the cruise industry. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class cruise ships were the first to offer an open interior section of the ship. Called central park, the cruise ship staterooms feature in two “towers” facing one another, with an open section in between. This has created new deck space and opportunities for the ships to create entertainment and dining venues, otherwise not available on the ships. On its Quantum class ships, Royal Caribbean has features such as a skydive simulator; full indoor gym ‘arena’ and flow-rider wave simulators. Designed to keep the guests entertained while at sea; Cruise lines are using these features as major selling points to attract the active crowd.
It’s true that the face of the industry is changing. Bigger is better is the mantra among the major lines; but, traditionalists can still find a cruise that is suitable for their tastes. The all-suite vessels and luxury lines such as Princess, and Holland America cater to a more targeted audience. On board these cruises you’ll find more frequent formal nights and a strict adherence to dress code. Remember to pack your tuxedo, or evening jacket or you may find yourself shut out from the main dining room and shuffling for food at the buffet. Celebrity cruises has recently relaxed its formal night dress code to smart-casual. Whereas jeans were once faux-pas; now as long as you are tidy and your clothing fits the atmosphere you are still welcomed in. Shorts, and ‘pool attire’ remain not-done for now, though there are cruise lines that are relaxing on this too.
When cruising, take a close look at your style and what you feel comfortable with. Each line has a demographic in mind. It should go without saying that Disney Cruises favour families with children; whereas carnival targets the young professional crowd in addition to families. Whatever your style, take some time to read reviews and go online to look at what is on offer on your ship. Some ships have vast outdoor play areas and water parks; whereas some others lay a heavy emphasis on spas and relaxation. If you are travelling as a family, you may also be surprised to learn that there are some adult-only areas aboard many ships (besides the bars).
The term boutique in the English language epitomizes fashionable, upscale, unique, and independent lifestyles. Boutiques tap into a niche of the market and distinguish themselves from the bigger players who cater to a wider audience. When it comes to hotels, boutique hotels are not about the product but about the experience. Boutique hotels aim to offer their guests an upscale experience that cannot be matched by the bigger chains. Each hotel adds its own flair and a sense of individuality to the guest experience. Whether it be the smaller size of the hotel, or its unique setting and features; boutique hotels are each unlike any other.
Whilst the large hotel groups, despite being segmented, still focus on the mass market and appeal to as many travellers as possible; their properties often appear as if they’ve been formed from a mold. Boutique hotels redefine the experience and actively attempt to appeal to personal taste and preference which is often eschewed among the name-brand hotels in the interest of neutrality and mass-appeal. Though this isn’t going to go away entirely, many of the large hotel groups have launched brands that emulate and tap in to the boutique hotel experience.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) launched the Indigo brand of hotels with a view to create “the individuality of a boutique hotel with the reliability of one of the world’s leading hotel companies.” Starwood competes with its W brand of hotels which focuses on the experience and luxury lifestyle. Hyatt’s Andaz properties are “boutique-inspired” priding themselves with an individualized service model and progressive style. Recognizing the need to speak to the market of the sophisticated traveller these hotels are designed to offer that sense of individuality and connectedness with the cities and areas they are located in.
Whether it’s a secluded retreat in a small privately owned hotel, or a break from the mold in a thriving metropolis you’re looking for; there are plenty of options. VIP Upgrades will help you explore these options in our upcoming Boutique Hotels series. Keep checking back to this blog for more.
Chain Boutique Hotels versus Independent
Realizing that their existing brands were not tapping into a lucrative segment of the market of the traveller who is looking for individual flair and stylish sophistication; hotel chains such as Intercontinental Hotels Group, Starwood, Hyatt, and others looked to develop brands that would appeal to the young urban professional, and double income no kids crowd. Many people in this target audience have to travel for work, and their companies have had long-standing relationships with the major hotel brands, often with negotiated rates and discounts. As a result, they are often put up in the run-of-the-mill properties on their corporate trips. Having become disenfranchised with this “style” of hotel, these travellers have created their own market segment for when they are on holiday and are seeking a retreat and break from the mundane nature of their work. When on vacation, often the last thing you want to be reminded of, or feel like is work.
This desire to break from the mold has led to a number of small, independent hotels being able to thrive and tap in to this desire. Quaint, idyllic settings and personalized service set these properties apart from their mega-hotel counterparts. Realizing that they were losing out on a market segment, and an opportunity to allow travellers to redeem their earned loyalty rewards points, the big hotel chains have developed their own brands to appeal to these travellers.
Whilst an attempt is made to create a unique product, the thing that the big hotels do still lack is a personal touch and sense of individuality. For the traveller who cares more about the destination, and doesn’t spend much time in the hotel, regardless, these brands can offer a nice balance of unique flair and manicured luxury. But when it comes down to the truly personal touch, independently run, small hotels definitely win out; but be prepared to pay a little more for the privilege.
Airline ticket pricing is perhaps one of the least predictable elements of travel. There are many factors that can influence the price of tickets and these change on a minute-to-minute basis sometimes. Airline tickets are sold with various different conditions and generally the ticket you buy is for travel from your origin city to your destination city. These fares each have a letter-code associated with them. Sometimes you’ll see this listed as the fare code, or booking class. These booking codes define the conditions with which the fare must be sold. For example, certain fares must be purchased at least 21 days in advance. For a passenger to be able to book a seat on a particular flight using that fare, there has to be availability in that fare bucket. Even though the plane may only be divided into Economy and First Class, not all seats will be sold at the lowest fare. Airlines manage this and generally as the date of the flight approaches, more and more of the inexpensive tickets are sold out and the passenger can only buy the more expensive tickets. The best strategy here is to book early.
Another way to get a good deal on seats is to be flexible in your dates. Sometimes we have to travel on specific dates, we cannot get around it. However, if you are able to travel with a bit of wriggle room, you’ll find that you can save a significant amount on airfare sometimes. Travelling on very popular days such as the Friday before a holiday or a long weekend sees availability dry up very quickly and unless you book early you won’t be able to find a good deal. But, fly on the Wednesday or Thursday beforehand, and you could potentially save. This also means that you’re avoiding the very busy travel days; another bonus.
Often we want to get to where we’re going in the quickest manner possible which ideally would be a direct or non-stop flight from our home city to our destination. Airlines that fly the direct routes know that you value this so they will often charge you more than their competitors who will get you to where you need to go but with a connection. Business travellers who are less productive for each minute they’re in the air value the time saved, and generally their company is paying so there’s no personal loss for the higher fares. However, as a leisure traveller you can save up to half or even more of the cost of a direct flight if you choose to connect.
Airlines will also put their flights on sale. Look out for e-mail and other promotions. Sign up for the airline’s frequent flier programmes and check your inbox regularly if you’re looking to book a flight. Also see if there is a new airline flying to your airport. Often, when an airline launches a new route, they’ll offer promotional fares.
One of the best ways to shop around is to use a website such as flights.google.com with your dates, origin, and destination. It will often search all of the sites that are able to book the ticket for you and it will give you a direct link to purchase once you’ve selected what you want. It’s quite intuitive and it will offer suggestions on what’s cheaper. Hipmunk is another great comparison website that will rate your trip based on agony.
Look at alternate airports. Flying to New York, there are 3 main airports that serve the city and each has many airlines flying in or out of it.If a city has multiple airports close by, don’t limit yourself to one, search around and you may be able to find a better deal.
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Airlines first introduced business class as a class between economy and first to cater to the traveller that may not quite have the budget for first class, but wants more luxury than economy. Since then, many airlines have given up altogether on first class and have branded their highest cabin as a business class product. The markets change and evolve and so to do the products. First class seats of the 70s 80s and 90s would now best be suited in a business class cabin and even then we’d note that they’re outdated. Airlines have introduced flat beds and such advanced seats that the product that was once first is no longer recognizable.
The product that was once economy class, however, shows a striking resemblance to what we see today. Airlines are doing what they can to get more passengers on their planes so the seats have become narrower, slimmer, spaced closer together, lighter, and the list goes on. First and business class, it would seem, has improved significantly for the passenger but economy class has led to more compromises being made on space and passenger comfort. Granted, many airlines now feature entertainment systems that weren’t available in the past, as well as quieter jets capable of flying at higher pressures, and humidity levels which all increases passenger comfort, but the seat has remained the same.
Many airlines have responded to the complaints of passengers that they were being squeezed in wherever possible. British Airways, for example, reduced the number of seats from 10 across to 9 across on a number of its Boeing 777 aircraft after passengers started to complain. American Airlines experimented with a system it called More Room throughout Coach, offering all economy class passengers increased legroom over their competitors by removing seats from their aircraft.
Ultimately this didn’t last, but it was a precursor to a trend among US carriers to offer certain seats with additional pitch and leg-room for a fee. United now offers Economy Plus, Delta offers Economy Comfort, and American offers Main Cabin Extra. All of these products are a number of seats, generally in the first rows of economy, which feature extra legroom and can come with other perks such as free bags, or priority boarding. Often these seats are offered for free, or at a reduced cost to the airline’s elite frequent flyer members.
This is not a Premium Economy product. What sets premium economy apart is a dedicated cabin with a different seat and often a more personalized service with better offerings for food and drink. Airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and now even Air Canada and Lufthansa are offering a third or sometimes even fourth cabin of service on their flights called Premium Economy.
Often sold at a cost between business, and economy; these seats are for those who are willing to pay a little more for added comfort and tailored service, while they’re not prepared to pay the money it would cost to fly in business or first class. So look for it on your next flight but beware, there are impostors out there.
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American Airlines’ AAdvantage programme is the oldest, still existing frequent flier programme in the world. Started as a loyalty programme to reward frequent fliers in an age of deregulation in the United States, many airlines soon followed suit and Frequent Flier programmes go hand in hand with airlines tickets. Airlines quickly saw an opportunity to keep people on their planes and be loyal to the brand. To reward greater loyalty, airlines started to offer higher tiers in the programmes with greater rewards and services; recognizing those passengers who flew a great deal with the airline often on high-value tickets. As a measure of this loyalty; the customer is usually credited points, or miles into an account. These are based on the fare class and cabin flown, as well as the distance of the flight.
Once the customer has accumulated a certain number of points or miles, they can exchange there towards payment for flights. The structure and amount of points needed varies greatly from airline to airline and is too complicated to discuss in one document, but the overall premise of reward programmes is generally the same. Major differences that we can highlight are to do with availability and other fees associated. Many US carriers, faced with greater competition, have been very generous with the rewards given to people exchanging their loyalty points for flights. Rewards can in some cases be as low as 12,500 miles on united for a one-way trans-continental economy class flight regardless of the number of connections. The passenger only pays between $40 and $160 in taxes and fees. The points are used for all of the other costs.
Over in Europe, British Airways, for example, will only charge 4,500 Avios (the name of their points ‘currency’) for the shortest of short-haul flights, however, BA is an airline that will only apply the points exchanged to the base-fare of the ticket, meaning the passenger has to pay all the taxes, fees, and surcharges. While on short-haul flights this is usually very little; on long-haul flights these fees can amount to over $1000 in cases. It is therefore very important that you know what the true costs are before you start saving or take advantage of a special offer. To BA’s credit, for many short-haul flights they have introduced a scheme called Reward Flight Saver which offers a fixed cash-component fare in addition to the miles needed to book the flight.
Whilst airlines used to only offer reward flights and “free” tickets on their own flights; with the rise of global airline alliances miles can be earned and redeemed on partner airlines’ flights too. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Northwest (now Delta) pioneered this level of cooperation and integration, and were the first major carriers to work so closely together that their loyalty benefits became almost mutually assured. Nowadays, within the three major alliances; oneworld, Skyteam and Star Alliance, points earned in one programme can very easily be redeemed for flights on many other carriers.
In the case of BA as above where the taxes and fees can amount to more than the cost of an economy-class ticket, the use of miles on partner airlines can sometimes reduce this. It really pays to shop around when looking for a flight and open up the possibility of flying on a partner airline to avoid some of the high costs that would otherwise be charged by the carrier whose points you are using. Another thing to look out for are connections. Some airlines charge per-segment based on distance of the flights, and not for travel between the origin and destination. This, however, is the exception and not the rule. Most airlines will charge a fixed price in miles charged based on travel beween zones. For example, LAX to LHR would be classed as North America to Europe and you’d pay the same price if you flew direct, or if you had a connection in Chicago, or New York on American Arilines (for example) whereas if you flew BA and your flight had connections each flight would be priced individually.
When it comes to the airlines that charge high fees for reward travel such as Air Canada or British Airways, the best value almost never lies in economy class travel, but rather in premium cabin travel and upgrades. You have to pay more points, but for what usually amounts to the price of a discounted economy class ticket you may be able to fly on a flexible business class ticket.
By far one of the best ways to use your frequent flier points is to upgrade. Be careful when purchasing your ticket, because not all fares can be upgraded using miles or points and there may not be availability but if there is you’re in for a treat. Upgrades usually cost far less in points than full reward tickets do and as a bonus, you usually earn miles for the cabin you’ve paid to fly in which effectively further reduces the miles cost of the ticket.
So whether you’re saving up for that once-in-a-lifetime round-the-world trip; or you want to fly in more comfort on your next trans-Atlantic hop… it pays to shop around and do your homework before spending the miles.
Many travellers face delays and cancellations. For the airlines, these are a daily occurrence and airline staff take care of rerouting and accommodating people on different flights. So what if this happens to you?
There are many ways and times a flight can be cancelled. We all think of cancellations as something that happens while we are trying to get to our destination. Be it a late aircraft, mechanical issue, or the weather; delays and cancellations happen at the last minute. But your flight can also be cancelled weeks or even months in advance because of schedule changes. Usually in this case, the airline will rebook you on another flight. Be sure to check your bookings online occasionally, because sometimes you won’t be notified or contacted regarding the changes.
In Europe, and increasingly in many other countries; there are consumer protections on what your rights are and what the airlines’ obligations are when dealing with a cancelled flight. The most important thing to remember is that the airline has the duty to honour your ticket and get you to your destination. It is also always wise to have travel insurance. Many credit cards will automatically provide insurance for your trip but be sure to read the policy and make sure you know what’s covered. Another option is to buy trip-specific insurance policies; or take out a multi-trip annual plan. Insurance can help you where the airline will not by refunding you for hotels and accommodation; or even if you have to buy a return ticket on another airline. Be sure to check with your provider to see what is covered.
When you are faced with a cancellation, you may find that the airline has already rebooked you. If you have an internet connection, log in to your booking on the airline’s website and see if this is the case. If you are using a mobile phone, you may even be able to get your new boarding pass sent to the device. If not, try using a check-in kiosk to print off your new boarding pass. You may still even be able to choose your seat.
If you haven’t been rebooked, or if your new flights don’t work for you, the first person you should speak to is a ticketing agent. You can do this in person, or you can call. Sometimes, when there are many cancellations calling can be quicker. Be polite. The staff are not there to make your travel difficult and they want to get you to where you are going in the most efficient manner. But remember that they do have to get you to your destination in a timely and reasonable manner. If they aren’t able to offer you a flight that works, ask if they can put you on a different airline. It helps if you do your homework a bit and look at the other flights yourself so you can present them with the options. Just presenting the staff with the options doesn’t mean that they’ll be able to make the changes, but it shows that you are trying to think with them and you’re doing some of the leg work.
Your new flight may be the next day, or in some cases later in the week. Airlines in Europe are obliged to provide you with accommodation and meals regardless of the circumstances, but many airlines do not offer this, or honour this obligation freely. So be prepared to make your own arrangements and try to claim it back once the trip is done. Keep your receipts.
Airlines in the US have differing policies on when they will provide accommodation. If the circumstances are beyond the airline’s control, you’re usually on your own to rely on your travel insurance for coverage. Make sure you get a statement from the airline with the reason for the cancellation, and keep all receipts.
This by far is not a comprehensive list of all circumstances and scenarios, but there’s one last option that we will look at, and that’s a refund. If your flight is cancelled, and your trip no longer serves a purpose (e.g. you’ll miss the meeting you’re scheduled for) then the airlines will issue you a full refund of that portion of the trip. Check with your airline and read the terms and conditions of your ticket to see what their specific policy is. And we’ll repeat it once more; make sure you have good travel insurance.
Comments Off on How to Get Easy Elite Airline Status – Status Matches & Challenges
Airline frequent flyer programs give extra benefits (upgrades, free checked bags, and lounge access among them) when you attain upper-tier “status,” and they sometimes offer incentives to switch your loyalty from the program you use the most. It’s called a “status match” in airline parlance. So if you’d like to leverage your status on one airline’s program to get status on another airline, here’s how to do it.
Airlines are competing for your business especially when carriers merge and become stronger. They know they can lure flyers away from other airlines because of their expanded network, and many flyers take the bait especially when media coverage touts the new airline’s program.
The coming American Airlines-US Airways merger has opened new possibilities. American is a member of OneWorld, and US Airways is a member of Star Alliance. The new carrier will belong to Oneworld, and it will work hard to bring over Star Alliance loyalists from the US Airways program while also courting other airline elite members to take advantage of the new airline’s expanded program.
Carriers often provide status matches to certain tiers within their program to give new customers a chance to see what it’s like in the loyalty program without having to do all of the work to get there.
What is required of most airlines is usually a copy of one’s current elite credentials and account activity. Some airlines are more lenient than others especially when a traveler is paying higher, more lucrative fares.
Other airlines offer challenges requiring new members to show they will be loyal by flying a certain amount within a specified time period to maintain a status level for the whole year. Be aware that some airlines limit the number of challenges available per member within a certain period of time so be sure to ask as it varies frequently. For example, if you take a status match this year, you may not be eligible for it again next year. And some airlines offer status matches just once per member.
When applying for a status match, it is wise to decide if another airline may serve your needs better than another. And while one carrier may not have worked for you in the past, recent mergers may have made it a better. For example, Charlotte, N.C. travelers may not have been interested in American’s AAdvantage program before, but now that it is merging with US Airways, it is the new “home program”.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska offers status matches by simply showing that you have elite status with another carrier. No mileage requirements or co-pay hoops to jump through. Status matches can only be done once. Send a copy of your account statement, driver’s license or passport, and elite level card from another carrier to elite.flyer@alaskaair.com . Matches take about two weeks to process; those requested before Nov. 1 of the calendar year are good until the following February. Those requested after Nov. 1 are good for the entire following year.
MVP Gold 75K, the airline’s top level, is not eligible for a status match; only its bottom two levels. If you have substantial travel on Alaska coming up and are elite with another carrier, this may be a great option to enjoy some elite perks.
American Airlines
AA does not offer an outright status match opting instead to challenge new members to fly a certain amount within a period of time in addition to paying a fee. The airline offers the challenge for all but their top tiers although these are sometimes granted an exception based on the types of fares paid and number of trips taken. To ask about a challenge from your current carrier, call 800-882-8880.
The cost varies depending upon when it is requested in the calendar year. Flyers will spend around $120 for a Gold challenge (lowest elite tier) and $180-240 for a Platinum challenge (middle elite tier). The gist of the challenge is that one must fly 5,000 Elite Qualifying Points (not the same as miles) within three months or 10,000 Elite Qualifying Points within three months to earn Gold and Platinum status respectively. The caveat with the new Elite Qualifying Points system is that discounted fares only count for half (one mile=half a point) while more expensive tickets count as a whole point or 1.5 points (one mile=one point). Typically, American does not offer elite status during the challenge period meaning no upgrades for new American flyers until they complete the requirements successfully.
Delta Air Lines
DL offers immediate status matches based on various factors including current travel with one’s existing airline. To qualify, visit this special web page to submit your information online . People who have requested status matches before are not eligible, and you must be a non-Medallion member at the time of requesting the match. Status is granted immediately so that participants can enjoy the benefits as they work to meet the requirements. Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion levels are eligible for matches and are earned based on the Medallion Qualifying Miles or Medallion Qualifying Segments earned. Like American, these are based on the type of fare purchased . No matter when the status is earned, it is good until the following February. In 2014, Delta is overhauling its Medallion program adding in a new component requiring people to spend a certain amount of money with the airline. This may throw a wrench into its current status match program so if you want status with Delta, do it quickly.
United Airlines
UA offers a simple elite match program. The airline offers status matches to an equivalent level with one’s current program and requires a corresponding number of miles to be flown within 90 days to maintain that specific status. Uniquely, status match participants can fly on either United or Copa Airlines to qualify, and all fares are eligible. The new status can be earned based on mileage flown or on the number of flight segments flown within 90 days, which is helpful for people who travel frequently but on short-distance flights. During the challenge period, one gets the status automatically allowing upgrade and elite bonus miles opportunities. Email premiermatch@united.com to qualify, but visit United for more information first. No fees are required to participate. Only status for the lower tiers of the program (Premier Silver, Premier, Gold, and Premier Platinum) are available for match. If people have asked for a status match with either United or Continental in the past five years, they do not qualify for a status match.
US Airways
US offers a similar trial challenge program to American’s, which requires a fee. It costs $200 to make a run for Silver, $400 for Gold, and $600 for Platinum. The fees for this program are a bit expensive, but worth it for those who have immediate travel needs on US Airways. The requirements in place include a trial period of 90 days flying 7,500 miles or ten segments for Silver; 15,000 miles or 20 segments for Gold; 22,500 miles or 30 segments for Platinum; or 30,000 miles or 40 segments for top-tier Chairman’s Preferred. It is open to anyone even if you don’t have elite status with another carrier, which is a nice perk for new flyers. US Airways is one of the few airline programs that offers a challenge to match up to its top tier. This is one of the simplest elite trial programs out there and may be worth it for those looking to grab top status before the completion of the merger with American (since AA’s status match program is based on type of fare booked). Status is awarded immediately so participants can enjoy it while meeting the requirements. Or, flyers can simply buy Preferred status at the astronomical cost of $1,499 for Silver all the way up to $3,999 for Chairman’s Preferred. Some companies that require people to travel frequently may be willing to pony up for this cost so that travelers can benefit from free checked bags and first class upgrades.
Virgin America
Virgin America occasionally offers status match challenges . Simply email a copy (screen shots will do) of your elite account summary with another airline to statusmatch@virginamerica.com . The deadline to meet the airline’s requirements of flying 8,000 status points (not miles) for Elevate Silver or 12,000 status points for Elevate Gold status is June 30, 2013. Five status points are earned for every dollar spent with the airline. Cardholders of the Virgin America Visa Signature credit card have significantly reduced status point requirements to retain status. Participants receive Elevate status immediately to enjoy as they work toward their goal, but to keep status all year, they must meet the status point requirements.
Turkish Airlines
The Turkish Status match has been around for a while, but the terms have changed it a bit. It used to be that you simply sent over an email to them including digital copies of your “proof” (a screenshot of your current statement and membership level). However, it seems to be that TK will no longer match without hard copies.
First and Foremost – Who is Eligible for TK Status Match?
The cool thing about this match is that Turkish Airlines will match other Star Alliance Gold members, as well as Skyteam Elite Plus and Oneworld Emerald members. In other words, members already holding US Airways Gold Preferred, United Premier Gold, American Executive Platinum, and Delta Gold Medallion or higher have the opportunity of enjoying the sought-out haven of lounge access prior to take-off.
Now that you’re eligible for the match, here’s what you’ll have to do:
First, create a free Miles&Smiles account. Scan a HARD COPY (digital copies/screenshots of statements and cards are no longer acceptable) of both your current statement and membership card from your existing and qualifying program as mentioned from above. Note: Some people have been asked to provide a copy of their passport too. Next, Fill out the contact form on the TK website and write a short message, including your Miles&Smiles account number, stating that you’d like to be status matched. Don’t forget to attach the requested proof files above. Following your submission, you will be given a reference number so you can later trace the status of your request.
The completion of the match can take a few business days to several months, depending on the amount of requests in progress and if all of the required documentation is included. Miles&Smiles Elite is valid for 2 years.
Aegean Airlines
What makes Aegean special is that its frequent flyer programme is easiest in the world to obtain top-tier Gold status. It is certainly the easiest way to get Star Alliance Gold.
And, as part of Star Alliance, a Gold card from Aegean gives you the same benefits as a Gold card issued by Lufthansa – lounge access with all Star Alliance members (plus a guest), priority boarding, extra baggage allowance etc. The programme is easy to understand:
You receive 1,000 status miles for signing up – these miles have generally counted towards status although some recent reports suggest they don’t any longer. Credit 3,000 (4,000 if the 1,000 don’t count) further status miles within 12 months and you become ‘Blue’. Credit 16,000 (17,000 if the 1,000 don’t count) further status miles within a further 12 months and you become ‘Gold’ Once you are Gold, you will remain Gold forever (or until Aegean change their rules!) as long as you credit one flight to your account every 36 months. None of these flights need to be on Aegean. The programme runs on a yearly basis from when you change tiers and does not work by calendar year.
Getting 20,000 status miles is relatively easy – although, as ever, you should make sure that your tickets are in relevant qualifying fare classes. (Not all discounted economy tickets will earn 100% mileage, for instance.)
BritishMidland
British Midland was perhaps the only non-North American program with a regular status match program. Sadly, now that the airline is owned by British Airways (and has all but disappeared), status matches are no longer available (with the exception that all Diamond Club members were invited to a free status match at British Airways).
Airlines that will not generally match status:
•Air Canada
•Lufthansa
•British Airways – with some exceptions for very significant revenue or through a corporate contract
Comments Off on How to Get Upgraded On the Airplane
All about FIRST: Airline Classes of Travel
Most modern non-budget airlines operate up to four classes of travel on long-haul flights. Most upgrades are only up one level, as airlines are more likely to move someone in the class above up too, though occasionally if you’re a single traveller, it can happen. The four main classes are…
Economy class. Small seat, basic food, basic service.
With around 31 inches of legroom on most long-haul carriers, ‘cattle class’ offers the most basic service, and is primarily the domain of leisure travellers.
What’s included can vary widely, though. Nifty website SeatGuru.com shows whether an airline includes in-seat video and games, alcohol and more.
A relatively new class and certainly not on every airline, premium economy offers a similar overall service to regular economy, but around six extra inches of legroom with seats that fold back further, making sleeping much easier, especially if you’re tall.
Business class. Big possibly flat seat, luxury food & service
Flying business on European short-haul flights isn’t so exciting; many book it to get access to the lounge (see cheap lounge access instead). Going long-haul business class is a different story, with all sorts of benefits.
This highly profitable class is made to impress, so travellers get faster check-in, top quality menus, and many transatlantic business class seats can be rendered totally flat for sleeping.
First class. High-end luxury, and exceptional cost.
True first class only exists on premium commercial routes, so beware as a few airlines call their business class “first”. It means the creme de la creme of comfort, both on the plane and at the airport. Often the seat can be replaced by a full bed with bedding. Massages may also be available as well as the highest quality of personal concierge service.
How to get a free flight upgrade
There are a huge number of urban legends about flight upgrades. We’ve all heard someone boast that having bought a New York return for two pounds twenty, they sweet-talked the check-in staff and were bumped up to first class on every flight for the next 17 years. Sadly it’s not true. Free or ‘operational’ upgrades do happen, but it’s rare. If you’re lucky enough to get one, consider it a privilege. There are a host of hot tips to boost your chance of a free upgrade from minuscule to just unlikely. As most are neither arduous nor difficult, why not give them a go? It’s possible to steal a march on the competition even before you’ve decided on a flight. Anything that gets you nearer the front of the queue for the front of the plane’s a good thing.
Before doing anything:
(A) Ask friends who work for the airline to pull some strings
The old adage it’s not what you know, but who you know works here. If you’ve got close friends at the check-in desk, or better still, higher up in the airline, they may be able to wangle you occasional special privileges. Some airlines also give their staff upgrade vouchers, which’ll effectively buy you an upgrade if there’s a higher class seat available.
(B) Use your title
If you have an impressive title, be it Doctor, Professor, Judge, Councillor, or especially if you’re a VIP, there’s a mountain of anecdotal evidence to back the idea you’ve a stronger chance of getting an upgrade. You have to let them know beforehand for it to work.
So if you’re booking through a travel agent, ask them to note this on a file. If you’re booking on the web and are a Doctor or Reverend (and it says so on your passport), use your title when booking.
(C) Don’t order special meals
If you order a special in-flight meal – such as vegetarian, vegan, halal or kosher – you may destroy your upgrade potential, as flights rarely carry spares, especially for higher class seats whose food costs more. So you’re likely to be overlooked for someone less picky.
Upgrade Methods With A Higher Success Rate
1
Buy an upgrade. This is by far the easiest, most sure-fire way to get an upgrade. However, unless you fly often with the airline and have earned elite status, it’s also the most expensive way to enjoy the perks of first class.
2
Become a frequent flier. Airlines categorize their customers based on how often they fly—or more to the point, how much they spend! At 50k miles a year, you are in the middle of the “elite” zone, a position that makes you important to the airline. You’ll be rewarded with various perks along the way—from quick check-ins, to bonus miles, to first-class upgrades.
If you don’t normally travel a lot for business or pleasure, consider “mileage running.” This is the process of finding cheap, long flights and taking them whenever possible. The destination is not important—only the distance. A good rule of thumb for determining if a mileage run is worth it is if the price-per-mile cost is $.02 or below. Check out online resources at VIPupgrades for greater detail on how to do this.
3
Check in at the airport kiosk. Arrive at the airport a couple hours early, and check in using the airline’s kiosk. You will be able to modify your seat assignment as available, and if there are any first-class seats available, you may be able to purchase an upgrade at a significantly reduced cost.
4
Check in early. When there is one upgrade available and two elite flyers are requesting it, all else being equal: the one who checks in first gets it. You must have elite status with the airline for this to work.
5
Get bumped! Take advantage of opportunities that arise during the normal course of travel. All airlines over-book flights, and sometimes, when they least expect it, everybody shows up for the flight. When that happens, they have to find people willing to be bumped from that flight. That could be you! If the flight is very overbooked, your bargaining position is strong. Approach the gate agent, and be as genuinely charming and sympathetic as you can be. Ask them if they would consider rebooking you in return for an upgrade voucher in addition to whatever other incentives they might offering.
This will be more likely to work if you don’t have checked baggage, which would entail much more work on the part of the airlines in order to bump you.
6
Find discounted tickets. Some airlines have relaxed upgrade policies for full-fare coach tickets. You may also have friends who have upgrade vouchers they may be willing to sell.
7
Plan long-term. If you are a regular flier, are considering doing mileage runs, and are planning a big trip that you want to enjoy in first-class style, you can also purchase miles directly from the airlines. Visit your airline’s website, and locate the “Purchase Miles” page, generally located in the frequent-flier part of the site.
8
Book directly with the airline. When you book directly with the airline, there is the possibility of also adding an OSI (Other Significant Information) notation to your record. Based on that, ask about the possibility of an upgrade to first class. If you are a travel agent, travel writer, event planner, or captain of industry, it certainly won’t hurt your chances!
9
Buy a full fare coach ticket and ask for a first class seat. Many airlines have a fare code that automatically grants first class privileges, but you have to ask. Call the airline directly and ask them how much a coach class ticket with first class seating privilege will cost. This will be much less than a first class ticket. Be careful though, like most coach tickets it will probably be non-refundable.
10
Shop around. Reward airlines that have reasonable prices for business-class travel. As with any airline, if you fly frequently, they appreciate your business, and a struggling upstart might appreciate your business even more.
Upgrade Methods With a Lower Success Rate
1
Book with a Travel Agent. Agents are routinely allotted a certain number of upgrade vouchers. This will not come free but you can persuade your agent for a business class flight voucher if they have any available. If you’re not a frequent user of a particular travel agent, they have very little incentive to try and get you an upgrade. Whatever discretionary vouchers they may have will most certainly go to the people who have contributed the most to their agency.
Travel agents have much less input regarding your status now than they used to. Your seat assignments are done via computer now, and computers don’t take into account notes that a travel agent may have added to your record. Computers are quite content to simply count the miles and use your earned status.
2
Use a mileage broker. Mileage brokers buy mileage from frequent fliers, and resell those miles to other travelers. This is very risky. Airlines have very strict policies against buying frequent flier miles from a 3rd party. If they catch you doing this, you will likely lose your ticket, and you may also lose all your miles, earned or purchased. As a result of strict airline policies, brokers are hard to come by.
3
Ask the ticket counter agent nicely. This will almost never work. In most cases, on most airlines, the ticket agent is not authorized to upgrade. Only the manager is, so if there is only one person at the ticketing counter, you are talking to them. You will most likely need to use miles to get your upgrade. However, you might be able to ask the ticket counter agent to kindly add a code to your ticket. That signifies to the gate agent that you are potentially eligible for an upgrade.
4
If you were late because of a partner airline, make sure the airline is aware of that: it is their fault and they need to fix it. Both airlines need to be on the same E-ticket number, so both airlines are responsible for getting you to your destination. If they can’t get you to your destination on time, that’s a great time to ask—as nicely as possible—for another flight, plus an upgrade voucher for your troubles.
5
If you happen to be a travel agent, show your Iata or ARC ID. Again, if and only if seats are available will an airline offer a free upgrade and even though a travel agent might have some pull (this pull ended in the late 90’s), you always have to assume that frequent flyer status will help more than just travel agent status. If you have both, you will only improve your chances of an upgrade. It certainly does not hurt to try.
6
Ask a flight attendant for an upgrade if you see a seat available. Typically flight attendants never upgrade passengers and simply asking for an upgrade is not going to work. However, there are legitimate reasons why a flight attendant might upgrade you. Here are a few: A problem with your seat. In some cases where your seat has malfunctioned and you cannot comfortably sit there, i.e. a seat-belt problem or the seat will not stay in the up position, the flight attendant will make an attempt to find you another seat. If no other seats are available in coach yet space is available in first, you may be moved to first class. However, this is a very rare occurrence, and you should never try to purposely break your seat. Also note that if there is an elite flier in coach, they may get the bump to first class, and you would take the elite member’s old seat.
Choose Seats at the bulkhead, where families with children get seated. This can result in an upgrade if they need your seat, which they often do.
A problem with a fellow passenger. If by chance you are sitting next to a passenger and you have a legitimate complaint such as harassment, the flight attendant can, at their discretion, move you to another seat. If there are only seats available in first class, up you go!
7
Get to know the airline employees you deal with regularly. Do you fly in and out of a certain airport regularly? If so, getting to know the agents you deal with often yields rewards. When a delay occurs, you could be the first person they think of to upgrade, or at least put to on a better flight. They will appreciate your loyalty and friendship, and will accommodate you accordingly.
8
Look the part. Dress like a business executive and at the very least, business casual. This means no jeans, athletic shoes or wear or other very casual attire. Looking like a first class passenger helps. Airlines are more willing to upgrade passengers who look as though they will fit in with those who willingly paid the extra money. You may also be able to get a seat in business class. Be aware that most upgrades are not based on looks, but on status. If don’t travel frequently but look like an MBA all-star, and the choice is between you and a sloppy-looking but extremely well-traveled NBA all-star, your Gucci’s just won’t count.
