Eat Your Way to (Dining) Elite

Eat Your Way to (Dining) Elite

Members of several frequent flyer programs are being asked to “rev up” their dining to earn elite dining status and are being offered double miles as elite dining members until the end of 2007.

American AAdvantage members need simply to spend $250 or more in qualified dining until Dec. 31 to earn Elite Dining Status, which brings with it 10 miles per dining dollar spent (double the normal elite bonus) for the rest of 2006 and all of 2007. Members will also earn a 1,000 bonus miles for reaching elite.

United Mileage Plus members can fast track to elite by the end of the year when having four or more qualifying dines of at least $25 (quick math tells you that you can qualify for elite with just $100; but there’s no 1,000 miles bonus for reaching elite). Alaska Mileage Plan members can get to elite by having five or more qualifying dines of at least $20 until year’s end, with no bonus miles for reaching elite. Delta’s promotion for the fast track has ended earlier than the rest, but elite members will earn double miles through 2007.

US Airways Dividend Miles, Northwest WorldPerks, British Airways Executive Club and Midwest Miles members will earn double miles if elite, but there is no special promotion being offered to get you to elite faster — members would need to have 12 or more qualifying transactions within a year to obtain elite status. Midwest Miles members who move fast can still earn 250 bonus miles after two dines until Dec. 31 (must register for promotion).

Continental OnePass elite dining members will also get double miles through 2007, and if new to the program, will earn 1,000 bonus miles just for signing up. However, they are not being offered a promotion to speed up the process to elite (must have 12 or more transactions).

Members must register for these promotions before dining, and pay with a credit or debit card registered with the dining program associated with their preferred airline. Tax and tips count toward miles earned. Miles are awarded based on the first $600 members spend per restaurant, per month.

All of these dining programs are part of the Rewards Network. If you haven’t been on the Web site lately, be sure to take a look at the new member rating reviews where diners tell all about their latest dining experience. You’ll no longer be in the dark searching for those dining miles.