Over the course of the past month, we’ve taken a look at the loyalty programs of America’s four major airlines and which ones provide the most rewards to loyal flyers: American Airlines’ AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards and United MileagePlus. Among them, I’ve discovered these truths to be self-evident:
- Delta offers the most ways to earn loyalty status if you hold and use their credit cards for primary spending.
- Southwest offers arguably the best benefit of all in the Companion Pass, with the most ways to earn it – but it may only be good if you actually use it.
- American and United offer decent programs, but only for those who fly their airlines most of all. With limited ways to earn elite status, you would have to be dedicated to get any rewards.
While they may be the biggest, these are not the only elite frequent flyer programs. Many other smaller carriers – including the low-cost carriers – offer their flyers the chance to earn rewards for their continued business.
But is it worth it? We looked at five lesser-known frequent flyer programs in the United States today to consider if elite status is valuable even aboard smaller carriers.
Alaska Airlines: Mileage Plan MVP
Of all the smaller programs, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is one of my favorites. Not only can Mileage Plan miles be used for Alaska Airlines and Virgin America flights, but are also redeemable for American Airlines flights – sometimes at a lower rate than AAdvantage miles.
In addition, Mileage Plan is still a “distance-based” program – meaning you earn Mileage Plan miles based on how much you fly, not how much you spend. You can also earn status by flying select partners, like American Airlines: 25,000 miles flown on select partner carriers qualifies you for Mileage Plan MVP status. At the base level, MVP status earns two free checked bags when flying Alaska or Virgin America, preferred seating, along with priority check-in and boarding.
Is it worth it? If you live in a city serviced by Alaska or Virgin America, this elite status can be very rewarding. Without a minimum spending requirement and opportunities to earn status by flying other carriers, getting a reward on Alaska can add up quickly. If you don’t live in a city served by Alaska or Virgin America, you’re better off earning miles from an Alaska Airlines credit card and using them towards flights.
JetBlue: TrueBlue Mosaic
JetBlue’s TrueBlue frequent flyer program is a favorite of Northeastern flyers, because of their relatively large footprint in New York, Boston, and across the east. Their elite program, TrueBlue Mosaic, is equally beloved: with 30 segments and 12,000 base flight points, or 15,000 base flight points, you earn elite status. If you only purchased economy Blue fares or Mint fares, elite status would only cost $5,000 in qualifying spend.
Mosaic flyers get the most flexibility with their itineraries, thanks to waived cancellation and change fees on their tickets. In addition, Mosaic elites get two checked bags free, priority check-in and dedicated security lanes. Best of all, Mosaic elites get a free alcoholic beverage on board, along with a 15,000 TrueBlue point gift for earning their status.
Is it worth it? You would have to fly a lot of JetBlue to make TrueBlue Mosaic worthwhile. If JetBlue is your primary airline, then go for status: $5,000 is not a lot to earn elite status with one carrier. But if you won’t be flying JetBlue often or don’t fly to JetBlue cities, it may be best to let this one pass by.
Sun Country Airlines: Ufly Rewards
The vacation airline from Minnesota also offers their flyers rewards for frequent travels – but without elite status. With Ufly Rewards, you earn a flat 10 points per dollar on airfare, vacation packages and select fees you may incur, including upgrades, seat selection and checked luggage. Those points are redeemable at a flat rate: 110 points equals $1 on off-peak trips, while 130 points equals $1 on peak travel.
Removing the fact that there’s no elite status for the most loyal flyers, the points don’t add up to much in the long run. Ufly rewards are worth .7 cents on peak trips, and just under one cent each (.91 cents) on off-peak trips. The only nice thing about the program is that you can pool miles with up to ten people, making family travel a little more rewarding.
Is it worth it? Frankly, no – because there’s no elite status to earn. Even if you fly Sun Country with a family, the miles don’t add up. You would get better returns for your spending with a points-earning or cash-back card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Spirit Airlines: Free Spirit
Believe it or not, Spirit Airlines has a frequent flyer program, but (alas), it doesn’t come with a cheeky name. The aptly titled Free Spirit program allows you to earn frequent flyer miles that can be put towards future Spirit flights.
As a low-cost carrier, Spirit doesn’t offer you any upgrades for your continued loyalty, but you can earn all the miles you physically fly in those big yellow airplanes. At the Elite tier – unlocked by earning 12,000 Free Spirit miles over 6 months, spending $1,200 in airfare over 6 months, or holding the Spirit World MasterCard credit card – you would earn 100 percent of miles flown on non-refundable airfare. At the VIP level, you could earn even more, but you would have to earn 24,000 miles or spend $2,400 on base fares in six months.
Is it worth it? Do you really want to fly that much Spirit? Even if you did, all you would earn is more Spirit flights for your miles. Avoid this one – unless you want to give new definition to “frugal travel.”
Frontier Airlines: Frequent Flyer
Spirit isn’t the only low-cost carrier that offers elite status for your frugality. Frontier Airlines’ Frequent Flyer program offers elite status if you fly 20,000 miles or 25 one-way segments in the span of one calendar year.
What do you get with Frequent Flyer Elite? Quite a bit, for a low-cost carrier. Elites get priority check-in, boarding and security, along with one free carry-on bag. Advance seat assignment is also available for as long as you hold elite status – but you could also get the chance to upgrade to Stretch Seating as well. Finally, extra fees may be waived for elites: everything from call center reservation fees to same day change and standby fees.
Is it worth it? For a low-cost carrier, this one is surprisingly worth it. The ability to upgrade, paired with a free carry-on bag can make your trip a lot more comfortable. If you like to live frugal down to the last dollar and don’t mind the no-frills approach of Frontier, this elite status may not be too bad.
Which elite status is your favorite? Give us an argument for your favorite program in the comments below!
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