The first quarter of the year is a great time to re-evaluate your loyalties to frequent flyer programs. You have the rest of the year to reallocate your flights and credit card spending in order to earn elite status for the rest of the year as well as 2018. With so many devaluations, mergers, and new reciprocal elite benefits you may be inclined to change the programs which you prioritize.
Here’s the scoop on how to earn status on an alliance and not just an airline. The oneworld alliance may be smaller the other two major ones, but its 14 members (plus 21 affiliated members) can literally take you anywhere in the populated world.
If you regularly fly on Air Berlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Iberia, Finnair, Japan Airlines, LATAM Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines, or SriLankan Airlines, it’s a safe bet that you might benefit from oneworld tier status.
Did you know that many travel rewards credit cards come with annual spending bonuses? These bonuses can often boost you to higher levels of elite status. But there is an element of art as well as science in determining whether to ramp up spend on a specific card. We’ll break it down for you here.
If you have seen people at the airport sleeping on the floor, shaving in the restrooms, and generally looking as if they have spenT hours and hours at the airport, they probably have. Some of these situations might be due to long layovers, but some of them are caused by flight cancellations and lengthy delays. The US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics states that so far in 2016, almost 458,000 flights have been delayed, almost 35,000 flights have been canceled, and almost 7,000 flights have been diverted, and that only includes the data for the U.S.
You don’t have to get a personal credit card that’s part of a major rewards program to
Citi offers two premium travel cards, the Prestige and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. If you travel often and are considering a high-end rewards card, they’re both great options.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United all offer premium co-branded credit cards. If you often fly on those carriers, the cards can be very valuable and make your travel experience much more pleasant. At $450, the annual fee for these cards is quite hefty, but they come packed with benefits and perks.
There is nothing better than spending some time in a lounge when your traveling and between flights, whether you’re looking to relax, score some food, grab a shower or even book a massage.
American has a strong roster of airport clubs, which ballooned in number when it acquired the network of former US Airways Clubs. Now, all are known as Admirals Clubs, which offer a slew of benefits for those with access. This guide gives you the ins and outs of how to get in, what to enjoy inside, and some tips on the best clubs and discounts to enjoy them.
Paying extra to check your bag on
First and foremost, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard is for people who travel a lot. If you’re a business traveler on the road several times a month, the hefty $450 annual fee might not phase you, especially considering the benefits that come with it.
Credit card companies have introduced some exciting offers in the past month or two. Citi made some waves with its offer for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Approved applicants were enticed with 100,000 American AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in three months.
