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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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TPG reader question: Which benefits are better — airline credit card perks or low-tier elite status?
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
October 20, 2020 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
The article compares the benefits of entry-level airline elite status with those of a mid-tier airline credit card, especially during the pandemic's impact on travel.
Gold elite status provides perks like priority check-in, security, boarding, complimentary upgrades, and a checked bag for the elite member.
A mid-tier airline card offers benefits such as a free checked bag for the cardholder and companions, preferred boarding, inflight discounts, and select travel protections.
The value of holding both elite status and a cobranded airline card depends on individual travel frequency and current travel patterns.
What to consider
Elite status requirements were temporarily lowered, with activity from October 2020 to December 2021 counting toward 2021 qualification and status valid through January 2023.
Elite status provides airport and onboard perks not available through a credit card, such as priority security and access to preferred seating.
A credit card can offer additional benefits for traveling companions and trip protections, but may be less valuable if travel is reduced.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of elite status versus credit card perks to help determine which benefits best fit your travel needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Editor’s note: This article is part of a column to answer your credit card questions. If you would like to ask us a question, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at tips@thepointsguy.com.
The current slowdown in travel is also the ideal time to evaluate your credit card strategy, including any cobranded airline cards you may have. TPG is here to help you make sense of the latest card offers as well as what belongs in your wallet — and what doesn't.
Given the shifting environment of airline status benefits — as well as credit card benefits — let's take a deeper dive into one specific program and accompanying airline credit card as an example.
In this week’s edition of our reader question series, Kalen asks:
[pullquote source="Kalen, TPG reader"]I often find myself considering whether I should cancel my Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard since I have AAdvantage Gold elite status. Can you compare the benefits between the card and entry-level Gold status?[/pullquote]
In the U.S., airline credit card benefits and annual fees generally follow the same theme, with specific perks differing slightly between airlines. Among the "big three" U.S. airlines of American, Delta and United, each has at least one of the following cards:
Low-tier no-annual-fee card
Example: American's American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Modest benefits and intended for very occasional flyers
Mid-tier card with an annual fee in the $95-$99 range
Example: American's Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
Notable perks include a free checked bag and preferred boarding
Premium card with an annual fee in the $450-$550 range
Example: American's Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Most noteworthy perk is an airline lounge membership when flying with the airline
The information for the AAdvantageAviator Red World Elite Mastercard and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For the sake of this specific reader question, we'll be comparing the benefits that come with the mid-tier $99-per-year Advantage Aviator Mastercard with the perks of reaching AAdvantage Gold status.
First, all elite-qualifying flight activity flown between Oct. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021, will count towards your 2021 elite-status tracker. That gives you a head start to reaching elite status for next year.
American will also lower the qualifying-thresholds across the board. Any status earned in 2021 will be valid through Jan. 31, 2023. Here's what it takes to earn low-tier Gold status:
Comparing Gold status with the AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard
AAdvantage Gold elite status
AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard
Free check bag(s)
Yes, one bag for elite member only
Yes, one bag for you and up to four companions when traveling domestically
Check-in perks
Priority check-in line
None
Boarding perks
Priority boarding (Group 4)
Preferred boarding (Group 5)
Security perks
Priority security line
None
Onboard perks
Complimentary access to Preferred seats at booking and Main Cabin Extra seats 24 hours before departure. Eligible for 500-mile upgrades, but prioritized last behind other AAdvantage elites
25% inflight food and beverage, $25 annual WiFi credit
Anniversary Companion Certificate after spending $20,000 on the card, select travel protections when making purchases
Low-tier status perks or credit card perks?
Having low-tier elite status can really elevate the flying experience, even if upgrades and other perks of higher-tier status may not be within reach. For instance, preferred and Main Cabin Extra seating can make a tangible difference for a longer flight. There's the added benefit of priority access at the airport and even a dedicated phone line in case you have unexpected delays or issues.
You'll get none of those things with a credit card.
On the other hand, a cobranded card like the AAdvantage Aviator Mastercard can be invaluable for the extra free checked bags available to traveling companions on the same reservation. Additionally, several trip and purchase protection benefits can be a valuable perk, even for non-American Airlines purchases.
There is certainly value in having both airline elite status (even if it's a low-tier) as well as a cobranded airline card. However, the pandemic may force your hand if you're traveling less. In that case, it may make sense to downgrade a card to a no-annual-fee version and use the perks of elite status while you still have them.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
