Is Chasing Elite Status With Airlines and Hotels Worth It?

Many of the major airlines and hotels offer loyalty programs. Not only can you earn points through these programs, but if you travel enough, you could even score a shiny new status for yourself. You could become a silver member, or a gold member, or a platinum member…you get the drift.

These elite status tiers include complimentary benefits, so they can be valuable for frequent travelers. They may entitle you to free upgrades, waived fees, bonus points on bookings, and much more.

Perks like these are nice to have, and some travelers go all out chasing elite status. The most extreme examples are mileage runs and mattress runs. A mileage run is a flight taken only to earn points toward elite status with an airline. The traveler may even turn around and go home right away. A mattress run is a hotel stay booked for the same reason. The person who booked it might simply check in with the hotel's app, and never even use the room.

If you travel regularly, you may be wondering just how worthwhile it is to chase elite status. Here's what you should know before you try it.

Elite status is valuable, but not that valuable

When I first heard about mileage and mattress runs, I thought they were an absolutely ridiculous idea. After having some time to think about it, I still feel that way.

For starters, it's wasteful. You're booking a seat or a room that someone else who actually needs it could use. And none of the benefits of elite status are so valuable that it's worth going out of your way for it. See for yourself. Pull up the loyalty programs for any airlines and hotels you like. Check out the benefits each elite status tier offers. Also, look at the requirements to reach those tiers, so you know how much work or spending on your credit cards would be involved.

Some of the benefits are useful, such as free hotel breakfasts and waived baggage fees with airlines. However, the most valuable benefits are largely of the "when available" variety. Free upgrades, when available. Early check-in and late checkout, when available. Even with elite status, the best perks aren't guaranteed.

Here are the other problems with chasing elite status:

• You only benefit from it when you book with that airline or hotel. To get the most value from elite status, you need to use it regularly.
• That airline or hotel might not be an option on all your trips. If you have status with Marriott Bonvoy, but the best hotel option where you're going is a Hilton, then your status isn't useful.
• Loyalty program rules and benefits can change at any time. In a recent example, Delta made changes to its SkyMiles program that were so unpopular with members that it decided to walk some of them back.

A better way to get elite status

If you travel often, and there's an airline or hotel chain you like, then it could be worth booking with it whenever possible. Elite status isn't worth chasing, but if you can get it naturally as part of your lifestyle, then that's a different story.

Travel credit cards are another option to consider to speed up the process. Many airline credit cards allow you to earn points based on your spending that can qualify you for elite status. Hotel credit cards have the same type of benefit, and some of them also include complimentary elite status. So, if you book regularly with a specific airline or hotel, look into its credit card options.

Don't overcomplicate things

Chasing elite status takes time, effort, and money. It's the perfect example of how some people overcomplicate their lives for very little benefit.

Because compared to the cost and hard work that goes into getting elite status, you probably won't come out that far ahead, if at all. You might score the occasional free upgrade. But if you save up and don't spend money on mileage or mattress runs, you may have enough to fly business class or book a nicer hotel room outright.

You can have a fun time traveling with or without elite status. Most of the benefits are also available to anyone who doesn't mind spending the cash or credit card points. It's often best to keep it simple, and that applies here. There are much better ways to spend your time than chasing status with an airline or hotel.