Did You Know: Airlines Have Secret Elite Status Levels

2023-02-05 16:56:15 By : Mr. Jack Chiang

Who’s offering and how to earn them.

Points and miles enthusiasts will be familiar with airline loyalty programs and tiers. It's much more than counting the distance you fly on a given leg; sometimes, miles are earned based on ticket cost, a percentage of distance traveled based on the cabin class, or money spent using a partner credit card, to name a few. The most frequent travelers may find themselves earning the top status of programs such as Diamond Medallion with Delta SkyMiles, Super Elite with Air Canada Aeroplan, or Platinum with Air France-KLM Flying Blue. However, what if we could reach even higher tiers with extreme benefits? Fortunately, for the diehard mileage warriors, there's hope.

With its base in Dubai International Airport, Emirates offers its frequent flyers status through its Skywards program. Typically, the highest possible tier is Skywards Platinum and includes benefits like first class check-in, Emirates lounge access for you and any guests, and bonus miles. But, if you spend upwards of $1 million with the airline, or in some cases, fly in their premium cabins weekly on cash tickets, you unlock a new tier called "iO."

For those who achieve Skywards iO status, the airline will reach out and hand-deliver you a welcome gift bag with luxury items and an enrollment card. In addition to the plentiful benefits Platinum status offers, expect a personal driver from home to the airport and from the airport to aircraft if the plane is at a remote stand. Skywards iO members may also receive box seat tickets to sporting events the airline sponsors.

Although SkyMiles Diamond Medallion members through Delta Air Lines get complimentary upgrades to first class five days early and to Delta One on departure day, a VIP hotline, and CLEAR membership, it's not the most exclusive tier. Delta does mention their "360" status level at the bottom of the Diamond Medallion benefits page, but they only say it's by invite only, and there's no specific goal to achieve it.

In an interview with cntraveler, a previous Delta 360 member stated they had flown nearly 330,000 miles and spent $79,000 with the airline before being notified. Like Skywards iO members, those invited to Delta 360 can expect an extravagant welcome bag with gifts like AirPod Pros or Tiffany champagne flutes with a bottle to go. Sports car gate transfers are also open to this tier. One practical benefit is being notified before anyone else if a weather or maintenance issue will cause a delay and a team that does anything to get 360 members rebooked to their destination as soon as possible.

While the name points to a few lounges behind secret doors in major Australian airports, the Chairman's Lounge is also an invite-only club mainly composed of high-profile government officials, CEOs or other executives, sports players, and celebrities. Although not so secret as other unlabeled status tiers, it's just as notoriously difficult to receive the notice.

Even for weekly business flyers that make it to Qantas Platinum One status, there's no guarantee of an invitation. According to Point Hacks, Australian firms that spend over $1 million with the airline yearly may be considered, along with those popular with the media. But those who get the call are allowed to enter those tucked away VIP lounges, which model Qantas first class lounges but with a different color scheme.

In addition to special lounge access, Chairman's Lounge members can enjoy all the perks of oneworld Emerald and Qantas Platinum status. If taking an international flight from Sydney or Melbourne, members can expect a call to schedule a complimentary spa before departure. And not only are Chairman's Lounge travelers first in line for upgrades and rebookings, but they also have access to typically blocked seating assignments.

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No matter where you are in the world, there's bound to be an airline nearby offering one of these invite-only status tiers. The other two major US carriers have hidden tiers, American Airlines ConciergeKey and United Airlines Global Services. Air New Zealand has a VIP lounge service, Elite Priority One, similar to Qantas.

For European readers, SAS offers the Pandion Club, with perks like guaranteed seats on sold-out flights and status with hotel chains. Air France-KLM hands out Platinum Ultimate status to those who spend over $110,000 and fly at least 200,000 miles annually. And in Asia, Singapore Airlines' first and business class loyalists have the potential to earn Solitaire PPS Club status, which comes with private check-in, first class lounge access, speedy immigration, and priority for award travel.

What are your thoughts on these secret status tiers? Let us know in the comments below!

Sources: cntraveler, Point Hacks, Delta, Singapore Airlines

With a background in Chinese language and marketing, Justin merged his passions for air travel and communication to become a writer for the Simple Flying team. He closely monitors industry changes on a global scale, with particular interest in the East Asian and North American markets.