Everything you need to know about million miler status

Million miler status is an elusive, hard-to-reach status awarded to those who fly one million miles or more with an airline.

A handful of airlines recognize million miler status, but, argues Gilbert Ott, the director of partnerships at Point.me, “Two million or three million is the new one million.”
Here’s everything you need to know about million miler status.

How to Qualify

The qualifications to reach million miler status are actually quite simple: fly one million miles.

Benefits of Million Miler Programs
The benefits of being a million miler will depend on the specific program and your level. Mainly, you’ll earn lifetime elite status.

Each time you add a million miles, your perks increase.

Apart from elite status and a few gifts here and there, the main benefit is knowing you’ve reached a threshold few others have reached.

Comparing Million Miler Programs

Four U.S. airlines offer a million miler program: Delta, United, American, and Alaska. Although the programs are essentially the same, there are a few distinct differences to be aware of.

American Airlines

After flying one million miles, you earn lifetime AAdvantage Gold status and 35,000 bonus miles. After two million miles, you earn AAdvantage Platinum status and four one-way upgrades, plus four more for each additional million miles you earn.

With lifetime AAdvantage Gold status, you get perks like priority check-in at the business class counter, Group 4 boarding, and one free checked bag.

Delta Air Lines

Delta has several levels of million miler status. Each level comes with an annual medallion status, higher priority for complimentary upgrades, and special bag tags. You can also choose from a selection of gifts each time you hit a million miles.

One million: Gold Medallion status
Two million: Platinum Medallion status
Three and four million: Diamond Medallion status
Five+ million: Delta 360

United Airlines

United works similarly to Delta. Each level comes with an annual Premier elite status and the opportunity to share your status with a spouse or someone who lives with you. With each million miles, you receive a higher level of status.

One million: Premier Gold status
Two million: Premier Platinum status
Three million: Premier 1K status
Four million: United Global Services

Alaska Airlines

At one million miles, you earn lifetime MVP Gold status and a complimentary meal when meals are served in the main cabin on their flights. At two million miles, you’ll receive lifetime MVP Gold 75k status. If you want to aim for an even higher status, you will receive 20,000 elite qualifying miles each calendar year. You can also share your elite status with someone in your household for life. If you earn a higher elite status than your lifetime status gives you, you can also share that one.