Which airline loyalty programme has the lowest elite status threshold?
The lowest published entry threshold in any major airline loyalty programme is Egret Miles Egret Silver (20 points), then Enrich Elite Silver (35 Elite Points), then Flying Blue Silver (100 XP). Those numbers are not directly comparable — a Qpoint is not a Status Credit, and each programme sets its own earning rate — and 4 of them use small-denomination currencies whose whole ladder is measured in hundreds rather than tens of thousands: Egret Miles Egret Silver (20 points), Enrich Elite Silver (35 Elite Points), Flying Blue Silver (100 XP), Privilege Club Silver (135 Qpoints). So the ranked list below measures the same thing in flights instead. Measured in economy returns on LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR) from London Heathrow, the cheapest entry tiers to reach are ShebaMiles Blue (1 return), then Eastern Miles Silver (2 returns), then EuroBonus Silver (2 returns). That is the credits one economy return earns toward the tier, computed through the same engine as the calculators, rounded up to whole returns. LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR) became a two-airport pair on 18 September 2026 because the Star Alliance carriers flying London Heathrow to New York serve Newark rather than JFK, so a JFK-only pair left every Star programme unrankable on a technicality of airport code. Each row names the airport its own figure was computed on, and the distance used is that airport's. Thresholds checked 16 October 2026.
Not usually. The entry tier of most programmes sits below the rung that confers alliance lounge access — Oneworld Sapphire, SkyTeam Elite Plus or Star Alliance Gold — so the cheapest status is rarely the useful one. The last column of the table below says, for each programme, whether its entry rung is also its lounge rung. Compare the lounge rungs themselves on lounge access by programme. How every figure here is derived is set out in the methodology. For the vocabulary, see what tier points are and what a status run is; to plan one, use the tier run planner, and for the cheaper route for many readers, status matches and challenges.
The genuinely lowest entry tiers
The rule: each programme is ranked by how many economy returns from London Heathrow it takes to reach its entry tier from zero — on LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR) (long-haul) and LHR–CDG (short-haul), with the booking class resolved by the same resolver the calculators use, priced by the same earning engine, and rounded up to whole returns. LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR) became a two-airport pair on 18 September 2026 because the Star Alliance carriers flying London Heathrow to New York serve Newark rather than JFK, so a JFK-only pair left every Star programme unrankable on a technicality of airport code. Each row names the airport its own figure was computed on, and the distance used is that airport's.
| Programme | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR) returns | LHR–CDG returns | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShebaMiles | Blue | 3,000 miles | 1 on UA to EWR (class Y) | Not rankable — no rule captured | — |
| Eastern Miles | Silver | 15,000 miles | 2 on DL to JFK (class Y) | 15 on AF to CDG (class Y) | Conditions beyond the threshold |
| EuroBonus | Silver | 20,000 Level points | 2 on VS to JFK (class Y) | 20 on AF to CDG (class Y) | — |
| GarudaMiles | Silver | 10,000 miles | 2 on DL to JFK (class Y) | Not rankable — no rule captured | — |
| LifeMiles | Red Plus | 6,000 Elite miles | 2 on UA to EWR (class Y) | Not rankable — no rule captured | — |
| Lotusmiles | Titanium | 15,000 qualifying miles | 2 on VS to JFK (class H) | 35 on AF to CDG (class Y) | — |
| Royal Orchid Plus | Silver | 10,000 miles | 2 on UA to EWR (class Y) | Not rankable — no rule captured | — |
| SUMA | Silver | 18,000 Level miles | 2 on VS to JFK (class Y) | 42 on AF to CDG (class Y) | Conditions beyond the threshold |
Ranked on LHR–NYC (JFK or EWR), with the other reference route shown alongside. The carrier, airport and booking class beside each figure are the best-earning combination the captured route network offers on that pair; a different fare on the same route earns differently, which is what the linked calculator is for. A programme whose own metal earns from the fare is shown with the flat bonus its fare types pay and stays out of the ranking, because the basket carries no fare. A dash means no figure has been captured for that column, not that the requirement does not exist — read the programme's own page before relying on it.
9 programmes the reference basket cannot price, and why
- AAdvantage — earning is keyed on the fare. Earning on this carrier is a proportion of the fare, so there is no distance-based figure to rank without the price paid.
- Alfursan — no rule captured. No published rate captured for this carrier pair in any of the cabin's booking classes — not a statement that it earns nothing.
- Asante Rewards — no rule captured. No published rate captured for this carrier pair in any of the cabin's booking classes — not a statement that it earns nothing.
- Asiana Club — no rule captured. No published rate captured for this carrier pair in any of the cabin's booking classes — not a statement that it earns nothing.
- Atmos Rewards — no rule captured. No published rate captured for this carrier pair in any of the cabin's booking classes — not a statement that it earns nothing.
- Iberia Club — earning is keyed on the fare. Earning on this carrier is a proportion of the fare, so there is no distance-based figure to rank without the price paid.
- MileagePlus — earning is keyed on the fare. Earning on this carrier is a proportion of the fare, so there is no distance-based figure to rank without the price paid.
- Sindbad — zero-earning class. No status earning in this booking class (published)
- The British Airways Club — earning is keyed on the fare. Earning on this carrier is a proportion of the fare, so there is no distance-based figure to rank without the price paid. What it does publish for this pair: from 0 Tier Points + £-based on economy (up to 450 by fare type) on BA to JFK — a flat bonus before any spend, not a total, so it still cannot be turned into a number of returns.
Every programme’s entry tier, by status currency
49 programmes, grouped by the currency their thresholds are measured in and ordered cheapest first inside each group. Across groups the numbers are not comparable, which is why they are not mixed into one list. A dash means no figure has been captured for that column, not that the requirement does not exist — read the programme's own page before relying on it.
miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShebaMiles | Star Alliance | Blue | 3,000 | miles | Calendar year; Silver and Gold run for the rest of it plus 12 months, Platinum plus 24 | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
| GarudaMiles | SkyTeam | Silver | 10,000 | miles | A 12-month accumulation period; whether it is rolling or fixed is not on the pages we hold | 10,000 | — | Platinum (provisional) |
| Royal Orchid Plus | Star Alliance | Silver | 10,000 | miles | 12 or 24 rolling months, within a 24-month validity for Silver and Gold | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
| Eastern Miles | SkyTeam | Silver | 15,000 | miles | Rolling 12 months (thresholds in kilometres, plus a mandatory annual spend gate) | Same as to reach | Plus CNY 20,000 of annual spend (mandatory, not an alternative) | Not scored |
| Asiana Club | Star Alliance | Gold | 20,000 | miles | 24 months from a personal base date | — | — | Not scored |
| Cedar Miles | SkyTeam | Silver | 20,000 | miles | Calendar year (1 January to 31 December) | — | — | Not scored |
| ConnectMiles | Star Alliance | Silver | 20,000 | miles | Calendar year; status valid to the end of February two years on | — | At least 4 flown Copa Airlines segments | Gold |
| Voyager | Star Alliance | Silver | 20,000 | miles | Calendar year (1 January to 31 December) | 19,000 | — | Gold |
| Aerolíneas Plus | SkyTeam | Gold | 25,000 | miles | The last 12 months, assessed monthly; a category lasts one year from the following month | — | — | Not scored |
| EgyptAir Plus | Star Alliance | Silver | 30,000 | miles | A Silver or Gold tier is valid for 2 years from upgrade or renewal; Platinum's evaluation period is 5 years | 15,000 | — | Gold |
| Infinity MileageLands | Star Alliance | Silver | 30,000 | miles | A 12-month period within your current card to move up; the whole card to renew; a card is valid for 2 years | — | At least 4 EVA Air or UNI Air international sectors | Gold |
points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egret Miles | SkyTeam | Egret Silver | 20 | points (small denomination) | Calendar year; tier status remains valid until 31 December of the following year | — | — | Egret Platinum |
| Maharaja Club | Star Alliance | Silver | 15,000 | points | Rolling 365 days; a tier lasts one year | Same as to reach | At least 4,500 Tier Points on Air India or Air India Express | Gold |
| Asante Rewards | SkyTeam | Silver | 20,000 | points | A rolling 12 months to move up; 365 days from the start of your status to renew | 15,000 | — | Gold |
| PhoenixMiles | Star Alliance | Silver | 40,000 | points | 12 whole months, counted back from the current month to move up and from the month before your status ends to renew; a new status runs to the end of the 24th month after the upgrade month | 35,000 | — | Gold |
Status Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathay | Oneworld | Silver | 300 | Status Points | Two counts in 2026: your own membership period, and 1 January to 31 December, which sets your 2027 status; then 1 January to 31 December each year | Same as to reach | At least one eligible sector on Cathay Pacific | Gold |
| Dynasty Flyer | SkyTeam | Gold | 360 | Status Points | Any consecutive 12 months to move up; the two-year validity to renew; a tier is valid for two years | — | At least 180 Status Points from China Airlines or Mandarin Airlines self-operated flights | Emerald |
| Airpoints | Star Alliance | Koru Silver | 450 | Status Points | Any 12 months; your end of tier date is the last day of the month, 12 months ahead | 405 | At least 225 Status Points from qualifying flights — Air New Zealand operated, partner airline or eligible Star Alliance | Koru Gold |
| Atmos Rewards | Oneworld | Silver | 20,000 | Status Points | Calendar year; status runs through the next full calendar year plus one month | — | — | Gold |
Tier Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Club (calculator) | SkyTeam | Silver | 400 | Tier Points | 12 months; your membership year runs from the day after you reach Silver or Gold to that month's end plus 12 months | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
| Sindbad | Oneworld | Silver | 500 | Tier Points | Any consecutive 12 months; a tier is valid for one year | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
| The British Airways Club (calculator) | Oneworld | Bronze | 3,500 | Tier Points | Tier point collection year, 1 April to 31 March; a tier lasts for the rest of the membership year to 30 April plus the next one | — | — | Silver |
| Finnair Plus (calculator) | Oneworld | Silver | 15,000 | Tier Points | A personal 12-month tracking period from the day you join; tier points reset to zero when it ends | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
Tier Miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Club | Oneworld | Silver Jay | 15,000 | Tier Miles | A consecutive twelve months within your card's validity: one year for Silver Jay and Gold Sparrow, two for Platinum Hawk | 12,000 | At least 4 Royal Jordanian flights — still in the published terms, though RJ appears not to have enforced this since late 2024 | Gold Sparrow |
| FlySmiLes | Oneworld | Classic | 20,000 | Tier Miles | Rolling 12 months; a tier is valid for 12 months and the card for 13 | 15,000 | At least 1 SriLankan Airlines sector | Gold |
| Miles+Bonus | Star Alliance | Silver | 35,000 | Tier Miles | 12 consecutive months from the oldest flight whose miles have not expired or been used for an upgrade | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
Elite miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LifeMiles | Star Alliance | Red Plus | 6,000 | Elite miles | Calendar year (1 January to 31 December) | — | — | Gold |
| KrisFlyer (calculator) | Star Alliance | Elite Silver | 25,000 | Elite miles | 12 consecutive months; membership lasts 12 months | Same as to reach | — | Elite Gold |
Elite Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrich | Oneworld | Elite Silver | 35 | Elite Points (small denomination) | Calendar year; a term is the year you qualify plus the next calendar year | — | — | Elite Gold |
| Iberia Club | Oneworld | Plata | 3,500 | Elite Points | 1 April to 31 March; tier status is updated on 31 March | — | — | Oro |
Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles & More (calculator) | Star Alliance | Frequent Traveller | 650 | Points | Calendar year; status runs to the end of February the year after next | — | At least 325 of the 650 must be Qualifying Points, earned on Lufthansa Group airlines and Miles & More co-issuing partners | Senator |
| Aeroméxico Rewards | SkyTeam | Silver | 25,000 | Points | Calendar year (1 January to 31 December) | Same as to reach | — | Platinum |
Status Miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safar Flyer | Oneworld | Silver | 20,000 | Status Miles | Calendar year (1 January to 31 December) | 18,000 | At least 10,000 Status Miles and/or 2 flights on Royal Air Maroc metal | Gold |
| Miles&Smiles | Star Alliance | Classic Plus | 25,000 | Status Miles | The preceding 12 months, moving daily; status is valid to the last day of the month 2 years from the start date | 17,000 | — | Elite |
FLY ON Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAL Mileage Bank | Oneworld | Crystal | 30,000 | FLY ON Points | Calendar year; FLY ON services run until 31 March of the second year after you qualify | — | At least 15,000 FLY ON Points must be earned on JAL Group flights | Sapphire |
Level miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUMA | SkyTeam | Silver | 18,000 | Level miles | 12 consecutive months; a level lasts 12 months from the day it is achieved | Same as to reach | At least 4 flights on Air Europa metal within the 12-month period | Gold |
Level points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EuroBonus | SkyTeam | Silver | 20,000 | Level points | 12 months from your join month, with a 3-month grace period | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
Loyalty Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAdvantage (calculator) | Oneworld | Gold | 40,000 | Loyalty Points | 12 months from 1 March; status runs to 31 March of the following full year | — | — | Platinum |
MQD
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyMiles (calculator) | SkyTeam | Silver | 5,000 | MQD | Calendar year (1 January – 31 December), hard reset; status runs to 31 January of the year after next | — | — | Gold |
PQP
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MileagePlus (calculator) | Star Alliance | Premier Silver | 6,000 | PQP | Calendar year; status runs to 31 January of the year after next | — | At least four paid flight segments operated by United or United Express in the calendar year | Premier Gold |
Premium Points
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Mileage Club | Star Alliance | Bronze | 30,000 | Premium Points | Calendar year; Premium service starts on 1 April and is valid for one year | — | At least 15,000 Premium Points on ANA Group flights | Platinum |
Qpoints
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Privilege Club (calculator) | Oneworld | Silver | 135 | Qpoints (small denomination) | Any consecutive 12 months to move up; the previous 12 or 24 months to renew; a tier lasts 12 months | 110 | Renewal also requires at least 20% of Qpoints — or 4 sectors in 12 months — on flights both marketed and operated by Qatar Airways | Gold |
qualifying miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotusmiles | SkyTeam | Titanium | 15,000 | qualifying miles | 12 consecutive months, which Vietnam Airlines' pages count in two ways; a tier card is valid for 12 months | Same as to reach | — | Platinum |
SKYPASS miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKYPASS | SkyTeam | Morning Calm Club | 50,000 | SKYPASS miles | Lifetime accumulation — no annual reset; Morning Calm Club runs on a two-year cycle | 30,000 | At least 30,000 of the 50,000 miles must come from Korean Air flight-number flights; partner miles can make up the rest (80 Korean Air boarding points is the alternative) | Morning Calm Select |
SQC
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan (calculator) | Star Alliance | 25K | 25,000 | SQC | Calendar year; Core Benefits run for the rest of that year and until the end of the following year | — | — | 50K |
Status Credits
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas Frequent Flyer (calculator) | Oneworld | Silver | 300 | Status Credits | Your own Membership Year, from the month after your join month; tiers are valid for a minimum of one year | 250 | Four flights with a QF, JQ or GK flight number on the ticket (to attain and to retain) | Gold |
status miles
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles&Go | Star Alliance | Silver | 30,000 | status miles | 12 months from the month after joining (anniversary-based) | 20,000 | — | Gold |
Tier Credits
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfursan | SkyTeam | Silver | 25,000 | Tier Credits | Calendar year; Saudia's pages differ on how long Silver and Gold last | 20,000 | — | Gold |
XP
| Programme | Alliance | Entry tier | Threshold from zero | Currency | Qualifying window | To retain | Conditions | Lounge tier? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Blue (calculator) | SkyTeam | Silver | 100 | XP (small denomination) | Up to 12 months from your first Mile or XP, restarting when you level up; a level lasts 12 months | Same as to reach | — | Gold |
Keeping a tier is a different bar from reaching it. The “to retain” column is what the programme publishes for a member who already holds the tier, over the same qualification window as the reaching figure. “Same as to reach” means the programme says the same figure that reaches the tier keeps it. A dash means no retention figure comparable with the reaching one is shown for that rung, not that renewal is automatic; where the programme publishes one over a different window, its note gives it.