[rolltiide]

Learn how to pack and its not a chore. A woman taught me some techniques to optimize packing and space, and ironically other women say its only possible because I am a man.

When you have preauthorization from the government for security the controls are not time consuming, and means less variance in how long you need to get to your plane

So that means much less waiting, but if you wish to wait then you typically have several lounge options to choose from if you desire

And with status you board earlier which also means less drama regarding getting on or whats going to happen to your carryon bag

It requires some finesse but its a much more parallel experience to casual travelers subject to the full stress of air travel

Also with the points you are more frequently booking convenient flights that would otherwise be economically irrational

[ghaff]

With Pre-Check, I'm usually through security in the US pretty quickly. But I hate feeling rushed or worrying about being late so I still normally leave plenty of time and, as you say, can usually hang out in a lounge and/or get a meal so it's pretty comfortable.

I worked for a guy once and when we traveled together (pre-9/11) he'd get a cab from our downtown location to the airport planning to arrive 30 minutes or whatever before the flight. Drove me crazy.

[Scoundreller]

> And with status you board earlier which also means less drama regarding getting on or whats going to happen to your carryon bag

But then you have to deal with once-yearly flyers in Zone 72 bashing their rollon over your feet and into your chair.

Personally, I fear the day airlines force me to board first. I'll enjoy the gate while everyone else boards a plane that will depart at the same time for everyone.

[Aloha]

I'm on the road 150+ nights a year.

Packing can be easy. For example, I roll everything, makes it much easier to tetris them into the bag and they don't come out as wrinkled on the other end, they also compress a little better.

Similarly TSA PreCheck is a must, yes, I hate effectively paying a bribe to bypass the security theatre, but I also hate dealing with getting undressed at the checkpoint - the fact is, the security theatre exists to keep the infrequently flying public feeling safe - and if that results in more relaxed travelers, that also makes my life better.

I mostly focus on Hotel Status over airlines, thats gonna change, I'll likely try for status this year or next at American.

[ghaff]

I don't find hotel status buys me a huge amount. I prioritize Marriott all other things being equal and I probably get upgraded more than the average joe as a result. But I don't find perks like lounges that big a deal and often stay in suite hotels anyway where they don't even exist.

I'd rather stay in a convenient location than do unnatural acts to stay with a specific chain. There also tend to be much bigger cost differences among hotels than airlines.

[rolltiide]

Hotel status doesn't do much, in isolation. Late checkouts and more reliable room upgrades aren't much incentive. They also let you accumulate points faster for... drumroll... more hotel stays and status chasing!

The thing I do like about Hotel rewards programs are that:

They are more likely to let you transfer your points to other services such as airlines

The points themselves can get your rooms at the tier exchange rates that are totally decoupled from dollars

And you still get progress towards your next status even while using the points. Something that airlines do not do.

Sometimes the status can be matched between other services. I like the MGM Resorts status match with Hyatt.

[Aloha]

Exactly, and marriott points are quite flexible too - I would rather do Hyatt if I'm being honest, but Hyatt doest have enough hotels to work for me.

[rolltiide]

But that Marriott portfolio is super broad now

[Aloha]

The Starwood side of the house is still hit or miss, I'm 90% legacy Marriott and 10% legacy Starwood because of that.

[novok]

One thing I found out recently is that at some airports, pre-check has hours, and it can be somewhat hard to figure out when your leaving, and annoying that you have to. Found that out recently when I had a evening flight leaving from las vegas :/