Why I still choose multiple elite statuses instead of just one
Since my yearly posts about elite status strategy, I've gotten plenty of comments from people who disagree with my methodologies. They argue that I get so much more benefit from going "all-in" on one airline or hotel program. putting all my eggs in one basket.
Sure, I'll give you that. You might be able to earn a few more miles with higher and higher status. You may be able to get someone to drive you around the terminal in a golf cart when you land. But to be frank, I don't think I need any of that.
So what's changed?
I used to be an elite status loyalist, where I insisted on flying American Airlines even if it meant adding a layover. But that all changed when airlines starting monetizing upgrades and benefits better.
I used to be able to score upgrades about 65% of the time when flying during unpopular days like Tuesday. But now, that number is closer to 25% of the time.
I've become an airline free agent, flying whatever flight is cheapest or has the best schedule for me. If I can fly Delta and save $50, I'll choose that one any day!
Why status even matters
During the pandemic, airlines eliminated change fees, increased flexibility, and made regular Economy fares better overall. But then they introduced Basic Economy and placed all sorts of restrictions on those fares. In essence, they took the old Economy, kept the same airfares, and put even more restrictions.
Back in 2018, a $99 Economy fare from BOS to LAS got a free carryon, seat selection, miles, but no free cancellation
Now in 2025, a $99 Basic fare from BOS to LAS might allow a free carryon, but no seat selection, few to no miles, and still not free cancellation.
With elite status, you often get some of these benefits back for free. For example, you'll get a free carryon with United Silver, even though Basic normally doesn't allow it. With AA status you can still pick a seat, even though Basic normally doesn't allow self-selected seat assignments.
I've started booking basic economy
GASP! I know, I know. I used to say NEVER book Basic Economy. That was back when flexibility was the name of the game. At the height of COVID, if one flight was too full, I could easily make a switch to a different flight. If everyone insisted on sitting up front, I could easily switch to a window seat in the back of the plane. Never would I be stuck in a middle seat!
But my perspective has changed quite a bit. Booking Basic Economy saves a TON of money in the long-run. I mean do the math - saving $40 each flight means flying four times in basic economy is the same price as flying thrice in Economy. Now a 25% discount in the long run is quite the savings.
Sure I may earn fewer miles (or even 0 in the case of some airlines), but there's plenty of other ways to earn miles nowadays. When I fly Delta, I often have to gate check a bag. And I get waaaay more miles through the Bags On Time guarantee (1500 miles) than with my $100 fare alone (500 miles).
So if I've started booking BE and am saving so much money, casting a wider net and getting status across multiple programs is more beneficial to me than trying to go all-in on one program.
For example, say I get top-tier United 1K status but want to fly BOS-LAS. Delta and Jetblue have nonstop flights for $150, but United is charging $200 with a layover. What would you do?