The perks of elite status vary across airlines, as do the requirements for earning it. This handy guide gives you an at-a-glance rundown.
Mileage and segments are for Economy Class travel; status is attained either via miles flown, segments flown or points, unless otherwise indicated
Airline
(Program) | Alliance | Miles/
Segments
to Level 1
Elite Status | Miles/
Segments
to Level 2
Elite Status | Miles/
Segments
to Level 3
Elite Status | Elite
Check-In
Counter? | Free
VIP
Lounge Access? | Aerolineas
Argentinas
(Aerolineas Plus) | SkyTeam | 25,000 / 30
(or 15,000 +
15 sgmts.) | 50,000 / 60 (or 30,000 +
30 sgmts.) | ---------- | v | v | | (Club Premier) | SkyTeam | 50,000 | 80,000 | 100,000 | v | v
top 2
tiers | (AAdvantage) | oneworld | 25,000 / 30 | 50,000 / 60 | 100,000 /
100 | v | Fee dis-
count | AviancaTaca
(LifeMiles) | Star Alliance | 22,000 / 25 | 40,000 / 45 | 75,000 / 85 | v | v | Copa Airlines
(MileagePlus) | Star Allliance | 25,000 / 30 | 50,000 / 60 | 75,000 / 90 | v | v int'l:
top 3
tiers;
discount for rest | Delta Air Lines
(SkyMiles) | SkyTeam | 25,000 / 30 | 50,000 / 60 | 75,000 / 100
| v
top 3
tiers | v
tier 4
only;
discount tiers 2
and 3 | GOL/Varig
(Smiles) | Air France,
KLM, Delta | 10,000 | 20,000 | 35,000 | v
top 2
tiers | v
top 2
tiers | JetBlue*
(TrueBlue) | Partnerships
with
American
Airlines
Emirates,
Hawaiian
Airlines
| 12,000 pts.
+ 30 sgmts.
(or 15,000
pts.) | ---------- | ---------- | | | LAN
(LANPASS) | oneworld | 40,000 with
LAN, TAM
or oneworld
or
30 legs with
LAN or TAM | 80,000 with LAN, TAM
or oneworld
or
60 legs with LAN or TAM | 150,000 with
LAN, TAM
or oneworld
or
100 sgmts.
with LAN or
TAM
| v | v
top 3
tiers | Southwest
(Rapid Rewards) | none | 35,000
or 25 flights | 70,000
or 50 flights | ---------- | v | | TAM
(Fidelidade)
| Star Alliance | 12,000 pts. | 48,000 pts. | 100,000 pts. | v
top 3
tiers | v
top 3
tiers | United Airlines
(Mileage Plus) | Star Alliance | 25,000 / 30 | 50,000 / 60 | 75,000 / 90 | v | v
int'l: top 3 tiers |
*Base fare earns three points per US$ spent/six points per US$ spent when booked on Jetblue.com |
Level 4 Elite Status
Several airline loyalty programs now offer a 4th level of Elite status:
Copa Airlines: 100,000 miles / 120 segments
Delta Air Lines: 125,000 miles / 140 segments
LAN: 210,000 miles with LAN or TAM or 180,000 with 16 medium or long haul legs with LAN or
TAM in Business Class TAM: 150,000 points
United Airlines: 100,000 miles / 120 segments
