Flying the ‘elite’ skies

When an airline invites “elite” passengers to board, you may wonder what those travelers know that you don’t -- namely, how they got to be elite.

The answer is simple: They flew lots of miles on one carrier. Oh, some may have cheated a bit and bought their miles, but the bottom line is that they were loyal customers, faithfully flying with that carrier and racking up air mileage.

If you don’t fly often, think of elite passengers as going steady with the airline, while you may just be on a first or second date.

Now, here’s the question you may want to ask yourself before pursuing elite status: Is it worth the time and effort and, occasionally, the higher fare and less attractive route, to be monogamous?

To decide, consider the benefits. Airlines are wooing passengers with perks such as priority check-in, early boarding, bonus miles, upgrades (purchased, earned and sometimes complimentary) and free baggage check (except for excess weight or bag- gage).

Elite status requirements vary by airline and are explained on each carrier’s website. For airline details, go to latimes.com/airlinephones.

For those who long to be elite -- and those who want to maintain their status (that also requires you to mind your miles), here are some of the ways you can earn the good life.

Within mileage programs, there is elite status, but it doesn’t end there. At American Airlines, for instance, you can become gold, platinum or platinum executive.

American also offers something it calls a challenge; it can be gold or platinum. It lets you earn elite status in three rather than 12 months. American charges a fee to participate -- $80 for gold and $150 for platinum -- and you can do this only twice in your lifetime.

Upgrades are a key advantage of American’s elite programs. Gold elite members can seek an upgrade 24 hours ahead of departure time. Platinum program members can get upgraded as early as 72 hours before departure. If you are hoping to get upgraded at the airport, platinum status trumps gold every time.

To qualify for the extra miles that can lead to even greater status, a passenger must earn 5,000 points (not miles) for gold status and 10,000 points for platinum. Points are earned based on a factor of miles flown. Business and full economy fares earn 1.5 points per mile, discount economy fares earn 1 point per mile and deep-discount economy fares earn a half-a-point per mile.

Customers must choose wisely: If you opt for platinum and accrue fewer than 10,000 points but more than 5,000, you’ll have neither platinum nor gold status.

If you are low in the mileage food chain and foresee a lot of flights within a three-month period, the challenge program may make sense. If you’re a bargain hunter and often fly on deeply discounted fares, maybe not.

Before buying a fare, double-check with the carrier to make sure you will earn points. Some consolidator fares and deeply discounted international fares earn no points.

At US Airways, through June 30, Dividend Miles members can enroll in a preferred program for a fee that entitles them to priority check-in and boarding, unlimited upgrades to first class and more during the 90-day period.

Your current mileage level with US Airways determines your fee. If you’re at base, the airline’s lowest level, it costs $200 to shoot for gold and $600 for platinum. US Airways also lets you buy preferred status.

Alaska, American, AirTran, Delta, United and Continental will sometimes grant you elite status, at no charge, with proof of your elite status with another carrier.

To do so, contact the mileage program’s customer service and request an elite status match. But remember, even if you provide proof of elite status, this does not guarantee acceptance. If the airline does enroll you in a status match program, it will spell out the requirements, which usually include flying a minimum number of miles within 90 days.

For travelers hoping to maintain their elite status, it’s a rewarding time to fly. Alaska, American, Continental, Delta and United are offering double qualification miles for flights through June 15 (or June 30 for Alaska Airlines). Delta’s and United’s promotions offer triple qualifying miles for premium fares.

At Southwest, Rapid Rewards members can earn A-List status this year by booking and flying just five round-trip flights or 10 one-way trips through June 15.

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travel@latimes.com