Usually, we think of point whores which, by nature, we are. Of course, thats a given. What about status though?
We like to get it at our favorite hotels and airlines and rental car companies. The thing we often fail to realize is that we can trade our status and equalize it on another similar, competing chain for free. You have to be a mild dickhead to think of doing this and then actually excute on it. Of course, in business, its just another way of negotiating for the maximum, optimum amount that you are possibly entitled to receiving.
Airlines - Most airlines will match your status at the same level or one level below if you have status on a competing airline. American also has their ‘challenge’ program which is great for consultants: Easily achieve status in a short amount of time (since we’re all travelling freakshows anyways).
Hotels - Most hotels will match their competitors. For instance, Starwood will more often then not give you their platinum status from having nothing if you have platinum at say, Marriott, provided you at least promise to stay at a hotel for several weeks (i.e. you’re willing to start the ’switch’ and getting platinum being the incentive). Starwood will do this match once in your lifetime as far as I know and so once you have it, its up to you to re-achieve each new year.
Rental Car - If only I was a bigger dickhead than I am now, I could elaborate on this but alas, I don’t often rent cars so I could give a shit about them. Anyone care to comment?