Sally French

And Megan, I will let you know, I am not above flying Spirit or Frontier.

Yes, handcuffed is it. Exactly. That is why these elite status programs exist. And I am serious. I see people who will book the more expensive flight just to get something like a free drink and free Wi-Fi, a small chance that they get a seat upgrade. They're conveniently forgetting that it would still just be cheaper to buy that champagne on their own with not even having elite status.

Yes, handcuffed is it. Exactly. That is why these elite status programs exist. And I am serious. I see people who will book the more expensive flight just to get something like a free drink and free Wi-Fi, a small chance that they get a seat upgrade. They're conveniently forgetting that it would still just be cheaper to buy that champagne on their own with not even having elite status.

Yes, handcuffed is it. Exactly. That is why these elite status programs exist. And I am serious. I see people who will book the more expensive flight just to get something like a free drink and free Wi-Fi, a small chance that they get a seat upgrade. They're conveniently forgetting that it would still just be cheaper to buy that champagne on their own with not even having elite status.

No, I'm serious. My sister's like, I'm only going to fly United because I might get a seat upgrade. I have United Silver status.

No, I'm serious. My sister's like, I'm only going to fly United because I might get a seat upgrade. I have United Silver status.

No, I'm serious. My sister's like, I'm only going to fly United because I might get a seat upgrade. I have United Silver status.

I want to know, do you actually get upgraded? And I don't want this podcast to be all about me and my non-status. So since you do say you have American status, let's talk about it, and then we'll get into some other airlines maybe on a future episode.

I want to know, do you actually get upgraded? And I don't want this podcast to be all about me and my non-status. So since you do say you have American status, let's talk about it, and then we'll get into some other airlines maybe on a future episode.

I want to know, do you actually get upgraded? And I don't want this podcast to be all about me and my non-status. So since you do say you have American status, let's talk about it, and then we'll get into some other airlines maybe on a future episode.

Yes, but it even seems so hard to get those low tier statuses. And then it's like, yes, I got like my one free drink that was worth $10. So Megan, tell me, how did you get elite status? Because I actually don't think you're traveling that much on American Airlines, right?

Yes, but it even seems so hard to get those low tier statuses. And then it's like, yes, I got like my one free drink that was worth $10. So Megan, tell me, how did you get elite status? Because I actually don't think you're traveling that much on American Airlines, right?

Yes, but it even seems so hard to get those low tier statuses. And then it's like, yes, I got like my one free drink that was worth $10. So Megan, tell me, how did you get elite status? Because I actually don't think you're traveling that much on American Airlines, right?

Okay, that makes sense. And this is an important strategy that most people don't realize. Many airlines, including American, Delta, and United, let you earn elite status not just by flying, but by spending on a co-branded credit card.

Okay, that makes sense. And this is an important strategy that most people don't realize. Many airlines, including American, Delta, and United, let you earn elite status not just by flying, but by spending on a co-branded credit card.

Okay, that makes sense. And this is an important strategy that most people don't realize. Many airlines, including American, Delta, and United, let you earn elite status not just by flying, but by spending on a co-branded credit card.

Yes, that's nice.

Yes, that's nice.

Yes, that's nice.

Okay, so gold status with American is pretty good. It gets you free upgrades when available, of course. Priority check-in, slightly better boarding if you care about that.