Frequent flyers used to enjoy the red carpet treatment — free upgrades, pre-flight lounges, and dedicated support lines — for sticking with one airline and using its credit cards. But for many, that red carpet is no longer in reach. Status pursuits on major airlines have become more demanding and expensive — while the benefits have become harder to come by.

Stop chasing: Airlines have learned a thing or two from a Disney villain — when everyone is super has status, no one will be has status. To keep airline status exclusive, airlines have raised the amount of money and flights required to unlock status — including Delta, United, and American. Many loyal travellers who once swore allegiance to a specific carrier now feel alienated by these changes.

• One long-time benefit of status was free upgrades, but now major airlines sell most of their premium seats — meaning fewer free upgrades for status holders.
• Worsening matters; airline miles don’t go as far as they used to due to dynamic pricing, which reduces the value of accumulating miles.

Statusless is Bliss

By making status harder to earn, airlines are essentially saying, “We want fewer people to have status.” Rather than resist, it might be simpler (and cheaper) to let them have their wish. Still, there are plenty of ways to make the most of your travel.

• Some consumers are abandoning airline credit cards for general-purpose travel cards — most of which offer Priority Pass or branded lounge access and better rewards on purchases.
• Others are using “status matches” or “status challenges” to take their status to competitors — many mid-size domestic airlines like Alaska, JetBlue, or Frontier boast superior status programs.

Better than status: While avid travellers may still be able to earn status despite the higher requirements, the best move for most will be to choose the cheapest economy fare available. For those who travel often, credit cards like the Capital One Venture X, American Express Platinum, and Chase Sapphire Reserve may offer greater cashback than airline cards — and make your pre-flight experience much more enjoyable