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