3 Reasons It Never Pays to Be Loyal to One Airline

I travel several times a year and typically visit destinations that require me to fly to get there. But even though I'm a frequent flyer, I'm not loyal to one airline. While airline loyalty may make sense for some travelers, I've chosen not to focus on being loyal to one brand. Here are a few reasons why I find it doesn't pay to be loyal to one airline.

1. I don't want to overpay for airfare

If I were loyal to one airline, I'd likely overpay for some of my plane tickets. Some frequent flyers continue flying with a particular carrier to earn or maintain elite status and take advantage of the additional perks they get as loyalists.

But if you always fly with the same airline, you're probably not always getting the best price. Your chosen airline may have more expensive prices than competitors for similar fare types and routes. And every time you overpay, it impacts your checking account balance.

Not being loyal to one airline allows me to compare airfare prices for similar routes across multiple carriers. I can book a route that fits my schedule and vacation budget. That doesn't mean I always choose the cheapest ticket -- but I can make strategic moves to avoid overpaying.

I also like to book flight deals sent to me through a paid flight deal service. I spend around $100 annually for a subscription and have scored some incredible flight deals. Since I receive alerts for various carriers, being loyal to one airline isn't ideal because I'd miss out on savings.

2. My home airport isn't an airline hub

Some travelers live in major cities that are airline hubs. An airline hub is an airline's main airport that serves as a transfer point. Airlines fly in and out of these airports on direct routes more frequently, and many connecting flights are routed through their hubs.

Being loyal to one airline makes sense if you live in a city with a hub airport. You'll have more flight choices and can likely take advantage of more direct routes with a particular airline. You might also find the flights to be more affordable because you're traveling through a hub.

Since my home airport isn't an airline hub, I have little incentive to choose to fly with one airline over another. I will sometimes travel to a neighboring city's airport if it has more direct flight options, or I'll fly out of my home airport on a flight with a connection.

3. I don't value elite flyer perks

Some travelers are loyal to one airline because they've worked hard to achieve elite status. Being an elite flyer can earn you valuable benefits, but I don't particularly value the perks of being an elite status member.

For example, some airlines provide free checked bag perks to elite status members. Since I typically fly with just a carry-on bag, I don't need to save money on checked bag fees. I also don't need to board the plane early, so early boarding perks aren't helpful.

Instead of taking advantage of elite status perks, I use the benefits included with my travel rewards credit cards to improve my trip experience. For instance, when flying through an airport with a Priority Pass lounge, I use my credit card perks to relax and unwind for free.

Consider your goals and needs

Only you can decide if it makes sense to be loyal to one airline. For me, it's best to choose a destination and fly with an airline that offers a route and price that fits my needs. Consider your goals when deciding who to fly with for your next trip. Booking with the airline that best meets your needs is smart. Don't assume that brand loyalty is always the best strategy.