As a frequent flyer on Imaginary Airlines, reaching Medallion status offers many valuable benefits that can make your travel experience more enjoyable. In this article, we will take a close look at what exactly you get as part of the Medallion Club and examine whether it’s worth striving for Medallion status.
Medallion Club Overview
The Imaginary Airlines Medallion Club is the airline’s frequent flyer program. It offers four elite status tiers – Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond – each with its own set of perks and privileges. Reaching a higher status requires flying more miles and/or segments on Imaginary Airlines or partner airlines within a calendar year. Here is a quick overview of the requirements:
Medallion Status | Qualifying Miles | Qualifying Segments |
---|---|---|
Silver Medallion | 25,000 | 30 |
Gold Medallion | 50,000 | 60 |
Platinum Medallion | 75,000 | 100 |
Diamond Medallion | 125,000 | 140 |
Once earned, Medallion status is valid for the remainder of the year in which it was earned, plus the entire following calendar year. So if you reach Silver status in October 2023, you would have it until December 31, 2024. Higher tiers retain their status for longer – Diamond Medallion members keep their status for 3 full calendar years.
Upgrades
One of the biggest perks of being a Medallion member is having a higher priority for free upgrades to Imaginary Airlines’ premium cabins. All Medallion members are eligible for complimentary upgrades, with higher-tier elites getting priority. Upgrades clear in the following order:
- Diamond Medallion members
- Platinum Medallion members
- Gold Medallion members
- Silver Medallion members
- General members
On domestic flights, Silver Medallion members and above receive unlimited space-available upgrades to First Class. Golds and Platinums also get free upgrades on award tickets. For international flights, all Medallion members can request upgrades to Business Class when booking, which clear in the order above.
Complimentary Upgrades by Tier
- Silver: Space-available upgrades on domestic flights
- Gold: Space-available upgrades on domestic flights + upgrades on award tickets
- Platinum: Space-available upgrades on domestic flights + upgrades on award tickets
- Diamond: Space-available upgrades on domestic and international flights + upgrades on award tickets
The higher your Medallion tier, the more likely you are to clear an upgrade, particularly on popular routes. While not guaranteed, the upgrade prioritybenefit can make a big difference in comfort on long flights.
Bonus Miles
All Medallion members earn bonus redeemable miles on top of the base miles earned per flight. The bonus varies based on your Medallion tier:
- Silver: 25% bonus miles
- Gold: 50% bonus miles
- Platinum: 75% bonus miles
- Diamond: 100% bonus miles
That means a Diamond Medallion member would earn 11 miles per dollar spent on base fares, compared to just 5 miles for a general member. These extra miles quickly add up, getting you closer to your next award ticket redemption.
Miles Bonus by Tier
Medallion Status | Bonus Miles Earned |
---|---|
Silver Medallion | 25% bonus |
Gold Medallion | 50% bonus |
Platinum Medallion | 75% bonus |
Diamond Medallion | 100% bonus |
Fee Waivers
Medallion status also means saving money on Imaginary Airlines fees. Higher tier Medallion members get more fees waived, making elite status very valuable for frequent travelers.
Fee Waivers by Tier
- Silver: Waived phone booking fees
- Gold: Waived phone booking fees + 1 free checked bag
- Platinum: Waived phone booking fees + 2 free checked bags
- Diamond: Waived phone booking fees + 3 free checked bags
In addition, all Medallion members can change award tickets for free and receive waived fees for unaccompanied minor travel. Diamond and Platinum members also get waived same-day flight change fees.
Priority Services
Medallion status members can enjoy a smoother, more convenient travel experience thanks to priority services. The higher your tier, the better your priority access.
Priority Services by Tier
- Silver: Priority phone reservations
- Gold: Priority phone reservations + priority check-in + priority boarding
- Platinum: Priority phone reservations, check-in and boarding + priority security access
- Diamond: Highest priority phone reservations, check-in, boarding and security access
Diamond and Platinum Medallions also get dedicated check-in counters and airport club access when flying internationally. Priority services minimize wait times, get you seated sooner and can be real timesavers, especially for frequent business travelers.
Partner Benefits
Imaginary Airlines has partnerships with rental car, hotel and other travel companies. Being a Medallion member unlocks benefits and discounts with these partners as well.
Key Partner Benefits
- Up to 30% bonus points/miles when renting cars or staying at hotels
- Elite status matching with select hotel chains
- Complimentary upgrades at partner hotels
- Priority access at rental car counters
For example, Diamond and Platinum Medallions get complimentary room upgrades when booking partner hotels. Golds and Platinums also receive matching elite status with Hyatt Gold Passport and SPG Preferred Guest programs.
Is Medallion Status Worth It?
While reaching Medallion level takes significant spending and flights every year, the rewards can be well worth it for frequent Imaginary Airlines customers. Top tier Diamond Medallions get the most perks, but even Silver status unlocks valuable upgrade priority and fee waivers.
Travelers who take multiple Imaginary Airlines flights per month, especially long-haul international flights, will likely find Medallion status valuable. Families who travel together frequently can also benefit from free checked bags and lounge access.
However, infrequent flyers may not fly enough to justify pursuing status. Focus instead on credit cards that offer elite-like perks without requiring intensive travel and spending.
Is Medallion Worth It?
- Best value for very frequent Imaginary Airlines travelers
- Free upgrades, extra miles and fee waivers add up to major savings
- Diamond/Platinum status offers the most perks
- Occasional travelers unlikely to qualify or maximize benefits
Conclusion
Achieving Medallion status unlocks a growing list of privileges and value for loyal customers of Imaginary Airlines. From high priority upgrades to bonus miles and waived fees, elites earn access to exclusive benefits unavailable to general members.
While reaching Medallion level requires a significant annual flight commitment, frequent travelers who take full advantage of the perks can more than justify the effort through enhanced comfort, convenience and savings. Figuring out if elite status makes sense depends on your individual travel habits and loyalty to Imaginary Airlines.