Travel Takeaway.... Airline Status
When it comes to booking International Flights for holiday travel, the issue that most of our clients worry about are convenience and cost. Most people want to spend as little amount of time as possible getting there and getting home, so an extra stop over, or a crazy departure or arrival time can really turn you off your usual airline and the fight can be a big part of many peoples budget, but if you have airline status then most people want to use it get the benefits that flow from all the travel they have been doing (usually for work), so we tried it and found:
- Extra Luggage: Most airlines offer more baggage allowance to their Reward Members and the higher the status the higher the allowance. No more having to ration what you take with you or having to stand on the bathroom scales with your bag before you leave home, because measuring 23kgs just by lifting your bag is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Some airline reward programs will also allow you a little bit extra in your carry on allowance, which makes it easier to take the change on board with you.
- Lounge Access: When travelling Internationally it is a chore having to get to the airport up to 2 hours before you fly, but if you can find a lounge that your status will get you into then it just takes the edge off. Some of the lounges around the world are amazing and two prime examples are the First Class Lounges for Qantas in both Melbourne and Sydney, but the airport lounges in Dubai and Doha for their national carriers are mind blowing in size and scale. Whether it be a bite to eat or something to drink, the relaxed atmosphere and the ability to get a seat makes the time waiting for take off just a little easier.
- Upgrades and Reward redemptions: The more status the more chance you have of securing that upgrade either prior to flying or at the gate. It is no secret that airlines prioritise the awarding of upgrades almost exclusively on the basis of status and ticket type. So the more status you have the further up the line you go, even if you applied later than somebody else. Getting an upgrade at the airport is pretty rare but can happen when you the airline has not sold all its seats in a particular higher class or have oversold their seats in a lower class. Which ever way you get an upgrade, you really feel like you have had a win and all that work in getting the status in the first place was truly worth it.
- Priority Boarding: Whilst you are likely to be on the plane for a long time, getting on first can have its advantages, most notably you can get your carry on into the overhead bins before somebody 15 rows behind you has taken it, but you also get to settle in and relax, avoid the awkwardness of someone else sitting in your seat and having to ask them to move and also allows you to organise yourself, your partner and your kids if necessary.
- Everybody seems to have status: So the reality is that more than a third of the people travelling on your flight are like to have some status with the airline and are doing if for exactly the same reasons you are, so whilst the extra luggage and lounge access are likely to be granted, the upgrade all depends on you versus them and if you have family in tow, unless they have equal status you are likely to get bumped and when it comes to priority boarding, it seems everyone has status and doesn’t always seem that much quicker. However, if your favourite airline or an affiliate, is going where you want to, at a time that suits and the price is not an issue, then we say get on that airline you travel with the most, utilise the benefits offered and get the added benefit of earning more points and miles that enhances your status for next time your fly.
So decide what is important to you, cost or convenience and this probably helps you decide which way to go, although if you have high status, you will likely have the decision made for you. Using a Travel Agent with airfares expertise (like us at Travel Coordinates!) will ensure you can access the correct booking classes to be eligible for these upgrades, the best price you get online will usually not allow you to then upgrade.
And we would love your contributions as well, if you think we missed something or just want to say that you agree, then leave a comment and provide other Travel Coordinates clients get the most out of their next holiday and if you need any help getting your Travel plans Coordinated or advice on where to go, what to do or how to get there, then don’t hesitate to reach out.