Why We Stopped Chasing Airline Status—and Started Traveling Better

For a long time, airline status felt like a badge of honor. Gold. Platinum. Priority everything. As travel vloggers, we lived in airports, racked up miles the old-fashioned way, and enjoyed the perks that came with it. But over the past few years, something fundamental shifted—both in how airlines define “loyalty” and in how we choose to travel.

Airlines quietly moved the goalposts. Status stopped being about how often you flew and started being about how much you spent, especially on co-branded credit cards. Suddenly, someone flying twice a year with massive card spend could outrank a frequent traveler hopping planes every month. We watched hard-earned status fade away—not because we stopped traveling, but because we stopped playing a game that no longer rewarded the behavior it once did.

And honestly? We’re okay with that.

Instead of chasing status, we’ve leaned fully into miles and points—and it’s been the better option. With the right credit cards and a thoughtful strategy, we consistently book preferred seats, extra legroom, and even lie-flat business class without needing elite status at all. Lounge access? Covered. Priority boarding? Easy. Seat selection? Handled.

What makes this shift even more freeing is the mindset change it forces. We believe travel should serve your life—not the other way around. Chasing airline status slowly turns travel into an obligation: extra segments you don’t need, inconvenient routings, higher fares, and the pressure to stay “loyal” when it no longer makes sense. Points flip that dynamic completely.

When you focus on miles and points, every purchase becomes part of the journey—not just flights. Groceries, utilities, insurance, business expenses—everyday spending quietly funds future travel. Instead of hoping an airline recognizes your loyalty, you build your own travel currency that works across airlines, alliances, and even hotels.

There’s also a clarity that status rarely offers anymore. Airline benefits have become unpredictable—upgrades that never clear, elite lines that aren’t very elite, lounges that feel overcrowded and underwhelming. Points are honest. You redeem for the seat you want, on the flight you choose, when you need it. No gate-side disappointment. No crossed fingers.

For couples and families balancing work, kids, and real life, this matters even more. We don’t always have the flexibility to fly midweek or take unnecessary positioning flights just to preserve status. Points let us prioritize nonstop routes, better departure times, and seats that make long journeys genuinely enjoyable.

Airline status used to feel like the prize. These days, it feels like the distraction. Miles and points put the control back where it belongs—with the traveler. And that’s exactly how we prefer to travel: better, not just more.