Frequent Flyer Symptoms: Are You a Jet-Setter in Disguise?
I fly a lot. These days, it’s rare for a month to pass without me stepping onto an airplane. Although I’ve settled down a bit in recent years, I still often find myself wandering through airports. Whether I’m traveling for fun, visiting friends, or attending conferences, chances are there’s a plane ticket waiting for me in my inbox.
While my travel schedule is far less hectic than it used to be, I still accumulate a significant amount of frequent flyer miles every year.
I may not clock in the 100,000 miles per year that some true elite flyers do, but my time in the air is enough for me to consider myself a frequent flyer. Here are some signs that you might be one too:
1. You Know Your Passport Number by Heart
Every time you need to fill out travel documents or make an online booking, your passport number rolls off the tongue as smoothly as your phone number.
2. You Refer to Cities by Their Airport Codes
When mentioning a city, you instinctively use its airport code instead, like “I’m heading to LAX tomorrow,” instead of “I’m going to Los Angeles.”
3. Flight Attendants Know Your Name
Every time you fly, flight attendants always greet you by name, as if you’re an old friend.
4. You Have Elite Status in Every Airline Alliance
As a frequent flyer, you hold elite status in major airline alliances, giving you access to additional perks and services.
5. You Think Plane Food is Decent
For most people, plane food is unbearable. But as a frequent flyer, you’ve grown accustomed to the taste and even find it passable.
6. Red Wine on a Plane? Absolutely!
When flight attendants ask if you’d like a drink, you instinctively opt for red wine. After all, sipping a glass of red wine at 30,000 feet is a unique experience.
7. You Spend More Time Finding Flights Than Shopping for Clothes
When planning a trip, you spend hours searching for the cheapest flights on various airlines and booking websites. In comparison, you spend very little time shopping for clothes.
8. You Have Multiple Airline Credit Cards
To accumulate more miles, you’ve applied for several airline credit cards. These cards not only offer various benefits and perks but also allow you to earn extra miles on purchases.
9. You Have Clear, TSA Pre-Check, and Global Entry
As a frequent flyer, you understand the importance of a smooth security check. Therefore, you’ve applied for services like Clear, TSA Pre-Check, and Global Entry to make your travels more convenient.
10. Immigration Officers Recognize You
Whenever you enter a country, immigration officers always greet you by name and warmly acknowledge your presence. It makes you feel proud and satisfied.
11. You Earn Over a Million Miles Annually
As a true frequent flyer, the miles you earn each year are envy-inducing. These miles allow you to upgrade to premium cabins, redeem tickets, and enjoy more premium services.
12. If You Can’t Earn Miles, You Won’t Spend Money
For you, the sole purpose of spending money is to earn miles. Therefore, when purchasing goods or services, you always choose options that allow you to earn miles.
13. You Apply for New Credit Cards for Mile Bonuses
When you learn about a new credit card offering generous mile bonuses, you don’t hesitate to apply. Even if the card doesn’t align with your daily spending habits, you force yourself to use it for the miles.
14. There’s a Plane Named After You
As an extremely frequent flyer, you’ve even received special treatment from airlines—a plane named after you. It fills you with immense pride and honor when flying.
15. You Know How to Combat Jet Lag
For someone who frequently travels across time zones, combating jet lag is a must. You’ve mastered various methods to deal with it, such as adjusting sleep schedules, exercising moderately, and maintaining a regular diet.
16. You Know the Meal Types Offered by Each Airline
Whenever you board a plane, you can accurately predict what type of meal will be served on that flight. It helps you make more informed food choices during your flight.
17. Even Pilots Don’t Fly as Much as You
As a frequent flyer, your mileage even surpasses that of many pilots. It boosts your confidence and assurance when conversing with them.
18. You Spend More Time on Planes Than in Cars
For someone who frequently travels for business or pleasure, planes have become their primary mode of transportation. You find yourself spending more time on planes than in cars.
19. You Know the Exact Time from Home to the Boarding Gate
Before every trip, you always calculate the exact time from home to the airport and from the airport to the boarding gate. It ensures you arrive at the boarding gate on time and avoid missing your flight due to time constraints.
20. You Even Know the Names of the In-Flight Magazine Authors
Whenever you pick up an in-flight magazine, you can accurately name the author of each article. It enhances your interest and motivation while reading.
21. You Are Familiar with the Interior Layout of Every Aircraft Type
As an experienced flyer, you’ve become familiar with the interior layout of various aircraft types. It makes seat selection more comfortable and straightforward for you.
22. You Have Memorized Airport Layouts
Whenever you visit a new airport, you can quickly find the locations of various facilities and services. It allows you to navigate airports with ease.
23. You Can Recite Airline Safety Instructions by Heart
Before every flight, flight attendants demonstrate safety instructions. You, however, can recite them fluently. It gives you peace of mind during your flight.
24. You Can Identify Aircraft Types at a Glance
For frequent flyers, identifying aircraft types by their appearance is second nature. You can also identify aircraft types at a glance.
25. You Can Recognize Airlines by Their Tail Logos
Each airline has its unique tail logo. You can identify which airline it is just by looking at these logos. It adds to your confidence and composure while flying.
26. You’ve Written a Guide on Maximizing Points and Miles
As an expert in accumulating frequent flyer miles, you’ve even written a guide on maximizing points and miles. This guide not only helps you but also benefits other flyers.
27. You Subscribe to Airline News Updates for Fun
For most people, airline news updates are just boring advertisements and promotions. But for you, these updates are essential for staying informed about industry dynamics and obtaining discount information. Therefore, you always subscribe to these updates and enjoy them.
28. You Can Deduce Someone’s Flight Route Based on Their Landing Time
When someone tells you their landing time, you can quickly construct their flight route in your mind. It makes conversations with others more interesting and engaging.
29. You Have Memorized the Departure and Arrival Times of Various Flights
For frequent flyers, memorizing the departure and arrival times of various flights is just part of the territory.
