[meursault334]

You may want to consider always flying the same airline, getting that airlines credit card and using it for everything, and purchasing a lounge membership to that airline.

If you do this and fly enough your experience will be much better. You can arrive to the airport later because you can use the elite/first class line at security. If you need to check bags there will be a priority line and finally if you need to change something you will have access to a priority phone line that is answered in a timely manner and the customer service agents in the lounges will help you quickly and effectively. Also, many change fees will be eliminated and you will occasionally be upgraded to first class.

Edit: they will also put special tags on your luggage that will cause it to come out first and get lost less.

Edit2: They will also treat you better on the plane. They have a list of where everyone with status is sitting and they make an effort to be nice. It helps if you are also nice to them.

[Steeeve]

While it's true that you can buy your way to decent customer service, I'm of the opinion that airlines should treat all customers as if they will one day have a $50k travel budget.