If you fly 49,999 miles or less each year, here's how the programs line up.

If you’re a low-tier elite, you know how it is: You’re now at the bottom of the loyalty program totem pole. The airlines are draining the perks pond, leaving you high and dry. (And those 100,000-milers are getting most of what’s left.) This is especially true at Continental and Delta. Both airlines have been making significant program changes — annually — that make it more difficult for most to upgrade. US Airways bottom-tier elites have an added worry — whether the airline will even survive. At this point, American and United (bankruptcy notwithstanding) are the carriers with which you stand a decent chance of faring well.

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So if you’re at the bottom of the food chain, here’s a survival guide. Below I highlight a few programs that excel at one aspect or another, and I offer some strategies that will help you swim with the bigger fish. Following that is a ranking of the major loyalty programs in terms of how they serve the bottom-tier elite.

Best Program for Time-of-Ticketing Upgrades: Delta (despite the poor performance noted above) confirms upgrades at time of ticketing even for Silver members, the lowest level, with Y, B and M fares. What makes this a deal for many, especially business travelers, is that the airline is offering some very attractive M fares right now (see right). Runner-Up: Continental and Northwest also allow bottom-tier elites to upgrade at time of ticketing for Y-type bookings, but applicable fares are usually much higher — though still often less than regular First Class fares.

Best Strategy for Companion Upgrades: Diversify, just like you do with your stock portfolio. If an airline allows you to upgrade your companion as yourself (as American and United do), why do both of you need to have elite status on the same carrier? If American and United serve the routes you often fly, each of you should be earning elite credit in different programs. That way you can buy pairs of tickets on each carrier, which will double the chances of getting an upgrade. (There’s a reissue fee of $50 per ticket on Delta, $100 on Continental. You might consider this an “upgrade fee,” which some airlines like American and United charge. Moreover, with more than one elite card, you can shop for the best fare, routing, and departure time — with double the options! (See page 2 FCF 2/05 for more on this strategy.)

Forget about elite status — go for international returns.

Best Strategy for Terminal Frustration: Forget about elite status. That’s right, bail out. If you’re seldom getting upgraded, why hang around? Fly the carrier with the best fare, route, or seat, whichever is your priority — and be a slave no more. Or, better yet, start earning credit with your favorite domestic carrier’s international partner’s loyalty program. (More on this coming soon!)

GRADING THE BIG SEVEN BOTTOM-TIER ELITE PROGRAMS

Air Canada – D

Prestige: What’s to like? It offers neither elite upgrades nor mileage upgrades. The only people who should fly this carrier are those who have no choice.

American – B+

AAdvantage Gold: The way to take advantage of American is to find routes where there’s a two-class cabin but all seats are sold at economy fares. Some examples: Boston-Dublin, Boston-Manchester, and domestic markets operating with B-777 aircraft. On such flights you can confirm a First Class seat at time of ticketing while paying an economy fare — if you’re an elite. Domestic elite upgrades have better chances of coming through than Continental because American charges a $25 fee per 500 miles — a good thing because it cuts the list of those trying to upgrade in half. Recent changes to international mileage upgrades ($500 r/t surcharge) are definitely cause for considering another strategy.

[aside headline="Past FCF Issues with more on deciding which loyalty program is for you:" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]

• Free Flip Side of Free Upgrades – Jan. 2004
 
• Domestic Upgradable Fares: 101 The Overlooked Loyalty Factor – Feb. 2004
 
• Mileage Upgrades to Europe: 101 The Overlooked Loyalty Factor, Part II – Aug. 2004
 
• Elite Status Membership: Becoming Dispensable? – Nov. 2004

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Continental – C

OnePass Silver: Its new policy — fare paid trumps when purchased — discriminates against low-fare paying travelers. It’s great for the passenger paying full-fare; bad for those of us who shop for the lowest fare, so we can forget about an upgrade here. If you do pay the top rate (Y class), remember that Continental offers free upgrades at time of ticketing (however the Y fare is frequently more than the lowest First Class fare). Reciprocal elite upgrade privileges with Northwest can help with aggressive ticketing strategies, like ticketing on both carriers, to increase your upgrade chances. One other demerit for this program: It only offers full elite credit when booking heavily discounted coach if you book on continental.com. That excludes business travelers who have to book through their corporate travel agency.

Delta – C

Silver Medallion: Delta’s policy of “free” upgrades at time of booking — with Y, B, or M fares — is (for some) the hidden gem of the carrier’s new, everchanging, and always unpredictable Medallion program. Most other fares are eligible for “free” upgrades only one day prior to departure. An example: Atlanta-Mexico City round-trip M fare is $530, only $120 more than the lowest coach fare and about half the regular Business Class fare. (See fares on page 2 for more.) Also remarkable: The airline allocates more seats for elites to upgrade than it does SkyMiles members trying to use miles to upgrade. The carrier’s fast track to elite status, with the Amex Delta card, is a major benefit — and one that’s frequently overlooked. And the reduction in the change fee to $50 (most other majors are at $100) is a boon for the traveler making itinerary changes to find an upgrade just before departure (see last month’s FCF for more on this). Delta’s domestic First Class fares are (mostly) lower system-wide and there’s good availability. The bad — and it’s a big bad — is that the advent of Song has resulted in a substantial cut in the number of First Class seats altogether.

Northwest – C+

WorldPerks Silver: Reciprocal elite upgrade privileges with Continental is a plus, as are free upgrades at time of ticketing with Y fares. International mileage upgrades are often difficult to confirm. A plus for business travelers: Pay a Y or B fare and the airline opens more seats up for mileage upgrade awards. A big plus: It’s the only domestic carrier to recently invest in a new Business Class product. But most people fly this carrier because it serves the routes they fly.

United – B-

Premier: Allows these members to confirm upgrades at 48 hours before departure (most other programs are 24 hours for first-tier elites). That allows more time to search for other flights, should your upgrade not be confirmed. United charges $50 per 500 miles for an upgrade — again, that’s actually a good thing for many because it cuts down the demand — which increases availability. Bottom-tier elites should also consider the carrier’s new prepaid travel card (see more on page 5 FCF 3/05).

United offers an Economy Plus cabin on most North America and many international flights, a sound alternative when First or Business Class is sold out because seats have up to five inches more legroom. Reciprocal elite upgrade privileges with US Airways can only be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure.

US Airways – D

Silver Preferred: While the airline is in bankruptcy, it’s pulling seats and service from First Class. Like Air Canada, it’s only for those who have no other option — or if the fare is irresistible. If you still want fasttrack to elite on this carrier, get the Visa Signature credit card. It offers 10,000 miles toward elite.