Platinum status on an airline - how it happens

I have never won the Olympic Gold medal. I never aimed for it either. No really. Why should I settle for Gold when I could go for Platinum. In case you are that person who likes to read the last page of a murder mystery to find out the murderer's name and mobile number, this article is for you. Yes, I did achieve my goal. You are the lucky one who will learn the secret without shelling out the fee I paid. Yes, nothing in this world is free, except unsolicited advice.

The ad had caught my eye. "Do you have it in you to be Platinum? Find out on Sunday." I looked around discreetly to see if anyone was looking at me clicking a photo of the ad. No one was around. The street dog, got up, stretched himself and ran off. I ran off home. Made the call and made the payment. Soon someone sent a SMS where I was to meet the man who is said to have sold plastic to the ocean.

You have to really WANT it

He was charismatic. What did you expect - your boring neighbourhood accountant? The crowd was lapping it up. I was late, but wanted to get my money's worth. So I also started lapping.

He told us how he got Platinum status from his lowly beginnings. I could feel my eyes welling up. I bit my lips.

"I was like you, an average traveller. I stood in lines. Paid for my meals. Got the middle seat ALWAYS. But now I have Platinum status. The airlines sends two cars to pick me up from home. My luggage travels Platinum too. Any ticket I buy gets an upgrade. Sometimes they upgrade me even before I buy the ticket. You can have all this. But you must really ... I mean, rrrrrreally wanna get Platinum."

"Do you wanna ... really wanna?" The crowd was louder. I mumbled. "Yes, I wanna...

"Motivational speaker: "Wanna what ...?"

Crowd: "Platinum... Platinum ... Platinum"

I bought the credit card that was supposed to make it happen.

Join the elite

Gruffy at the sales counter said, "Lets activate the card by buying your first air ticket. This is a short trip. You will leave in the morning tomorrow and come back tomorrow evening. That is how you will get to Silver status in a day." Before I could say no, I had the ticket booked. I reached the airport and stood in line with the millions. Until I reached the check-in counter.

"You have Silver status. Would you like to buy healthy snacks befitting your status as a Silver category frequent flyer?"

I like eating junk food. But with Silver status, I could not show my true colors. I signed up for the "healthy snacks" option that turned out to be salt-free, fat-free and taste free stuff that was worse than what they serve to prisoners on death-row. But as Silver Status frequent flyer I had developed taste for this.

The Golden Opportunity

As soon as I touched down that evening, I got a message on my phone that said, "The Golden Opportunity is within reach. Complete 15 flights in 30 days and be a Gold Fly."

The next part of upgrading my status was painful. I had to apply for leave and take a loan. In that process I lost three precious days. I used to land at an airport and again queue up at the Departure Gate. Even the canines with the Airport Security would not sniff my baggage. (Could it be that the stench of the unwashed laundry was scaring the dogs?).

Being part of the elite Gold Club was great. I could board the aircraft early.

Some people asked me, "But you have to now wait for the economy class passengers. How is that a privilege? There is something wrong." I just smiled at their ignorance. I was eligible to get free biscuits on every flight. I had to pay for the water bottle though. That would be free only once I reached the Platinum Class. That too happened.

Platinum - the Final Mile

My credit card debt had shot through the roof. But I was treated like a VIP at the airport. I could now board the aircraft before the pilot.

"Now you have to open the door of the aircraft yourself and welcome the pilot and crew. Then you wait for the Gold and Silver category to board. Then you wait for commoners like me to board..." I think, my friend was jealous of my success.

So what was the privilege of being in the Platinum Class? I don't know that as yet. Before I could use my miles, the airlines went belly up. I have decided... enough time spent being away from the common person. I must start mingling with the commoners. It is always great to stay grounded.=========

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to any airport/ airline/ free snacks or frequent flyer schemes is purely a coincidence. Really... coincidences do happen ... honestly.