diary- As everyone knows, you can get airline miles in various ways. First, you sign up for an airline's frequent flyer program, which usually results in an enrollment bonus. Then, from flying actual miles, using airline-affiliated hotels and rental cars when you travel (usually showing them your boarding pass upon arrival), using an airline-affiliated credit card that gives miles for spending, signing up for long-distance phone or other services such as MCI that have airline mileage affiliations, etc.
- All miles earned go into your account, but only some of them are eligible to give you elite status within your frequent flyer program. You have to read the fine print to discover which can be used for free flight awards and which are "status" miles. Often, discounted fares don't quality for status, as the airlines try to motivate people to pay full price by offering elite status only when you do.
- There are different tiers of eliteness. Once you reach a certain level, you start earning "bonus" miles every time you fly. As one FTer said to me, in a tone that sounded like he was speaking of sex, "It gets really sweet once you start earning double miles."
- From what I can tell, the other main elite benefit is that you can often pay for coach but ride in first or business class, getting better food, free booze, and other amenities along with all that extra space. In general, you get coddled.
