Shortcuts to Elite Travel Status with Greg the Frequent Miler

#182: We share 10+ insider secrets and shortcuts to earning elite status with airlines and hotels. We cover the basics of elite status and how to leverage credit cards, points and miles, and status matches to maximize travel perks. We also explore non-traditional methods like gifting and buying, vacation homes and corporate partnerships to earn and maintain status.

Greg Davis-Kean is the founder of Frequent Miler, a blog dedicated to helping people maximize their travel rewards and loyalty programs, mostly without flying. He is also the host of the Frequent Miler on the Air podcast.

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Resources Mentioned

Greg Davis-Kean: Frequent Miler | Frequent Miler on the Air | Twitter

• Southwest Companion Pass Complete Guide
• Episode #221: Roll your own airline elite status
• Episode #222: Roll your own hotel elite status
• Flying by the Seat of our Points: Last Minute Travel Challenge

ATH Podcast

• Luxury Hotel Upgrade Program
• Episode #86: The Best Deals for a Vacation Rentals, Exchanges, Fractionals, Timeshares and More!

Invitation-Only Statuses

• Delta 360°
• United Global Services®
• ConciergeKey

Other Resources

• Exclusive Resorts
• FoundersCard
• StatusMatcher
• StatusMatch
• AirlineStatus

Credit Cards:

• American Express Centurion
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• For other cards mentioned visit our Best Credit Cards Page

Full Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(02:21) The Basics of Elite Status

(05:13) Can You Earn Status With Flights Booked With Points & Miles?

(06:39) Elite Status Perks on Different Levels

(08:32) How Airline Alliances Fit Into Status

(10:34) Earning Airline Status via Credit Cards

(15:27) Airlines That Make It Easy to Earn Status

(21:24) Perks of Hotel Status

(23:45) Ways to Earn Hyatt Status

(29:17) Can You Spend Money Outside of Credit Cards to Earn Status?

(30:42) How Status Matches Work

(35:08) Airline Status Offers

(40:28) Getting “Walked” From a Hotel

(41:32) Gifting an Elite Status

(42:09) Lifetime Status

(45:21) Buying Elite Status

(46:31) Leveraging Corporate Partnerships for Status Perks

(48:38) Vacation Home Memberships

(49:24) Is Chasing Elite Status Worth It?

(52:47) Rolling Your Own Airline and Hotel Elite Status

(54:27) Car Rental Status

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Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.