Here’s some high level of comparison among the major U.S. carriers’ frequent flyer programs.
| Tiers | Spending Requirements | Complimentary Upgrades | Fee Waivers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 3 | No | Yes | Yes |
| American | 3 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Delta | 4 | Yes | Yes | Some |
| JetBlue | 1 | Yes | No | Yes |
| Southwest | 2 | No | No | No fees |
| United | 4 | Yes | Yes | Some |
| Virgin America | 2 | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Without the spending requirements, Alaska, American, and Southwest really stood out.