(Video) Sunday Reader Question: Pulling Rank With Elite Status Lines
TPG reader Brad writes:
"I just checked into the Hyatt Regency O'Hare for my company's annual training week. Obviously check-in was a nightmare with all of the people coming in. I have Hyatt elite status so I walked right up to the Platinum/Diamond line and waited behind the guy being checked in. Everyone else was annoyed and one guy even came up and reminded me that there was a line. I showed him my Platinum card and explained that this was the preferred desk, which was enough to defuse him. But given the casual traveler's ignorance of these lines even existing, and the general frustration of seeing someone skip in front of a huge line, is it considered a faux pas or poor taste to 'pull rank' and take advantage of these lines? Or is it a well-deserved and somewhat thankless perk for slaving your life away on the road?"
In short: Definitely a well-deserved perk for participating in the loyalty program, so don't feel bad about taking advantage of it! That being said, I'd still exercise common sense when utilizing elite lines, whether in an airport or hotel.
Five Don'ts of Elite Lines
1) Don't unnecessarily queue. This pertains mostly to airline boarding - you should respect the gate area and that most are tight spaces, so stand off to the side and then board as your zone is called. It's really aggravating when passengers (even elites who are chomping at the bit to use their priority boarding perk) crowd the area and mess up the normal flow of boarding. Most airlines allow pre-boarding of families and passengers with disabilities, so clogging the area is annoying and these people are often called gate lice.
2) Don't try to pull rank within the elite line. I once saw someone cut into the front of the elite lane at a hotel because they had top tier status. Who cares?! The line is usually for all hotel elite members and there is no extra priority for those with higher status. Even though you think you should be treated better than the rest, come down from your high horse and wait like everyone else.
3) Don't use an expedited line for the sake of using it. I once saw an elite passenger make the sole gate agent who was boarding a regional jet, move over to the elite ticketing machine to scan his pass - when there was no line in the regular boarding lane! If the line is short or non-existent just queue like everyone else. The lines are there for convenience when needed - not to stroke egos.
4) Don't be a DYKWIA (Don't You Know Who I Am?). In general these people think they are better humans because of their elite status. Honestly, elite status is a cool perk, but don't let it define you. It's great for saving time and getting better service, but it doesn't make you better than someone else. Don't let it go to your head!
With all of these things in mind...
5) Don't be afraid to enforce the benefits provided to you through your elite status. Often front-line employees like hotel check-in desks and gate agents ignore standard procedure to make their lives easier - even if it's against company policy. Always be polite, but never feel bad for using an elite lane, because they were created to be used! Frequent travelers make up a disproportionate amount of revenue and profit for travel companies, so don't think they make these rules out of kindness - you are a good customer and should be rewarded for it!
[card card-name='Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express ' card-id='22035076' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees