Source: The Points Guy
Summary
The author shares their experience with earning foreign airline elite status, specifically with Asiana Club Diamond, Malaysia Enrich Gold, and Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite. They discuss the benefits of foreign airline status, such as domestic lounge access, different qualification requirements, and more options for earning status. However, they also mention the downsides, including fewer upgrades, less same-day change flexibility, and limited cobranded credit cards. The author concludes that foreign airline status may make sense for travelers who prioritize lounge access, book inexpensive long-haul flights, and travel internationally more than domestically.
Our Reading
The escape is carefully planned.
Foreign airline elite status can unlock benefits on U.S. airlines that even U.S. elite members don’t get.
Domestic lounge access is a major perk of foreign airline status.
Qualification requirements for foreign airline status can be easier to meet than those of U.S. airlines.
There are many international airline loyalty programs to consider, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Foreign airline status can be a good option for travelers who prioritize lounge access and book inexpensive long-haul flights.
Author: Evan Null
