By the Numbers: Stats on What It Really Takes to Get Frequent Flyer Status

Published on Dec. 22, 2023

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KEY POINTS

The biggest U.S. airlines have frequent flyer programs with lots of extra perks, including complimentary upgrades and fee waivers.
American Airlines bases frequent flyer status on the Loyalty Points you've earned, and Delta has a similar system based on Medallion Qualification Dollars.
Southwest's program requires meeting either a flight or points minimum, and United requires a combination of the two.

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For decades, airlines have operated frequent flyer programs to reward loyal customers. There are normally multiple tiers in these programs. Each status tier includes perks, such as complimentary upgrades when available.

Airlines used to base your status on how many miles you'd flown, but it has gotten more complicated. Many of them now base frequent flyer status on spending, or on a combination of spending and mileage. This often includes spending on airfare, as well as on any airline credit cards you have.

If you're deciding which program to focus on for frequent flyer status, you'll find the requirements and notable benefits for the four largest U.S. airlines below.

American Airlines AAdvantage®

American Airlines bases your AAdvantage® status entirely on Loyalty Points. Each eligible AAdvantage® mile you earn is equal to one Loyalty point. Since American Airlines credit cards earn miles, they also earn Loyalty Points that can help you raise your AAdvantage® status. This makes American Airlines one of the easier airlines for frequent flyer status -- if you spend enough on your credit cards.

Tier	Requirements	Top Benefits
AAdvantage Gold®	40,000 Loyalty Points	Complimentary upgrades when available (24-hour upgrade window) 40% mileage status bonus One free checked bag
AAdvantage Platinum®	75,000 Loyalty Points	Complimentary upgrades when available (48-hour upgrade window) 60% mileage status bonus One free checked bag
AAdvantage Platinum Pro®	125,000 Loyalty Points	Complimentary upgrades when available (72-hour upgrade window) 80% mileage status bonus Three free checked bags
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®	200,000 Loyalty Points	Complimentary upgrades when available (100-hour upgrade window) 120% mileage status bonus Three free checked bags

Data source: American Airlines

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles®

Delta Air Lines recently made changes to its SkyMiles® program. Starting on Jan. 1, 2024, members earn Medallion status through Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). You can earn MQDs by flying with Delta and its partners, booking Delta vacation packages, and using some of the more expensive Delta credit cards.

Tier	Requirements (starting Jan. 1, 2024)	Top Benefits
Silver Medallion	$5,000 MQDs	Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades on eligible tickets (begins 24 hours prior to departure) Waived baggage fees Priority check-in and boarding
Gold Medallion	$10,000 MQDs	Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades on eligible tickets (begins 72 hours prior to departure) Waived baggage fees and same-day confirmed fees Priority check-in, boarding, and security line access Expedited baggage service
Platinum Medallion	$15,000 MQDs	Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades on eligible tickets (begins 120 hours prior to departure) Waived baggage fees and same-day confirmed fees Priority check-in, boarding, and security line access Expedited baggage service
Diamond Medallion	$28,000 MQDs	Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades on eligible tickets (begins 120 hours prior to departure) Waived baggage fees and same-day confirmed fees Priority check-in, highest priority boarding boarding, and priority security line access Expedited baggage service

Data source: Delta Air Lines.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Southwest Rapid Rewards has fewer tiers than most programs. There are two: A-List and A-List Preferred. You can reach them either through taking enough flights or earning tier-qualifying points. The fastest way to earn points is with one of the Southwest credit cards.

In addition to frequent flyer status, the Rapid Rewards program also offers a Companion Pass. This is one of the most valuable perks that Southwest offers, so it has even higher requirements than A-List Preferred status.

Tier	Requirements	Top Benefits
A-List	25 qualifying one-way flights (20 starting January 2024) or 35,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year	25% earning bonus Priority boarding Priority lane and express lane Dedicated A-List member phone line
A-List Preferred	50 qualifying one-way flights (40 starting January 2024) or 70,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year	100% earning bonus Free in-flight internet Up to two premium drinks (available for each flight 176 miles or more) Priority boarding Priority lane and express lane Dedicated A-List member phone line
Companion Pass	100 qualifying one-way flights or 135,000 tier-qualifying points in a calendar year	Choose one person to fly with you, free of airline charges (doesn't include taxes and fees from $5.60 one-way) every time you purchase or redeem points for a flight

Data source: Southwest Airlines.

United Airlines MileagePlus®

The United MileagePlus® program uses two qualifying activities:

Premier qualifying flights (PQFs): Based on the number of flight segments flown.
Premier qualifying points (PQPs): Based on airfare cost. Some United credit cards can also earn PQPs, up to annual PQP limits that depend on the card.

There are two ways to reach frequent flyer status with United. You can either meet a PQF and PQP requirement, or meet a higher PQP-only requirement.

Tier	Requirements	Top Benefits
Premier Silver	12 PQFs and 4,000 PQPs or 5,000 PQPs	Eligible for complimentary Premier upgrades Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in for you and one companion One complimentary checked bag 7x miles earned on every flight
Premier Gold	24 PQFs and 8,000 PQPs or 10,000 PQPs	Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in for you and one companion Star Alliance Gold Status Two complimentary checked bags 8x miles earned on every flight
Premier Platinum	36 PQFs and 12,000 PQPs or 15,000 PQPs	40 PlusPoints Complimentary access to Economy Plus at check-in for you and one companion Three complimentary checked bags 9x miles earned on every flight
Premier 1K	54 PQFs and 18,000 PQPs or 24,000 PQPs	280 PlusPoints Pre-boarding One free drink and snack in economy Three complimentary checked bags 11x miles earned on every flight

Data source: United.

Should you try to get frequent flyer status?

It makes sense to go for frequent flyer status if you travel with the same airline several times per year. In that case, check out the travel credit cards that the airline offers to see if they can help you elevate your status more quickly.

The benefits you get as a frequent flyer can help your finances and make traveling with that airline more enjoyable. Complimentary upgrades, in particular, are a fantastic benefit. The higher your status is with an airline, the more likely you are to qualify for an upgrade.

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