I knew some attorneys who used to do this. Once upon a time you could just buy the ticket and get the miles, not actually setting foot on the flight. But post-911 that is no longer an option.
There are really interesting benefits from some of these plans. I knew one guy who's premium membership, because of a package deal between airlines and hotels, would get free minibar in the hotel. That was a game changer.
> would get free minibar in the hotel. That was a game changer.
Free chocolate bars and half-bottles of mediocre Champagne is a game changer? Seems like a very low bar to set! Could replicate that experience for $50 in a nearby gas station if you really wanted to eat that many peanuts and average beer.
Hell, free beer/wine/sometimes liquor, as well as free appetizers, snacks, cookies, dessert and more is a pretty common perk available in the concierge lounge at most large hotels...
Eh, real status is an exec lounge with a happy hour 5-8pm with top shelf booze and decent food. SPG was the best, but has gone down hill a bit since Marriott took over. Westin Ebisu Tokyo even has special drink nights where they bring a set of different liquors in a theme. Best hotel staff anywhere.
Nope. I'm not sure it's a post-911 thing per se, but status miles are mostly "butt in seat" miles. Even if you've paid for the flight, forfeit the amount, and don't take the flight, you don't get the miles in most cases.
(Business/First typically give you some multiplier.)
There are really interesting benefits from some of these plans. I knew one guy who's premium membership, because of a package deal between airlines and hotels, would get free minibar in the hotel. That was a game changer.