Airline elite status has never been on my travel goals as I consider myself an airline "free agent" meaning I will book and fly on any airline that would give a deal, but this year I might fly enough on Philippine Airlines to get close to earning elite status.
Mabuhay Miles has 4 tiers. The second tier is when you'll start to earn elite benefits and to qualify you'll need to achieve one of the following within the calendar year
Earn 25,000 Tier/Flight Miles on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights
Fly 30 one-way qualifying flights on any class of service on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights
Fly 15 one-way qualifying flights on Business Class on Philippine Airlines and Code-Share flights
If you've got the cash then flying 15 one-way business class flights would be the fastest way to earn elite status. Cheapest would probably be flying 30 one-way economy flights.
During the pandemic, qualifications were reduced and you'd only need 18 one-way economy flights to qualify, but it's now the era of revenge travel and qualification requirements are back to normal.
Unlike hotel loyalty programs, flight redemptions don't count towards your flight qualifications like hotel room redemptions. I only found out last year actually when I redeemed a round-trip business class trip to Manila and was not awarded anything.
Elite Benefits
Lounge access
Probably the most valuable perk of being a Mabuhay Miles elite member as you can enjoy unlimited food and drinks before your flight saving you a meal while feeling relaxed before your flight.
The downside is not all airports have a lounge so make sure to check ahead.
Bonus miles
You'll receive a Tier-based bonus of 25% for all Philippine Airlines and PAL Express-operated flights:
Economy Class/ Comfort Class/ Premium Economy Class - based on earned Miles
Business Class - based on the actual distance flown
This perk could help you rack up on Mabuhay Miles and could be worthwhile since Economy Supersaver and Economy Saver only gives you 10% and 50% miles respectively.
Priority check-in
A good perk to have especially when the lines are long. Valuable if you hate waiting in lines.
Priority airport standby
The least valuable perk for someone like me as I'm not a business traveler and I rarely need to book a flight on the same day or so. Might be useful if you miss connections and the next flight out is full. Unless you're in one of those 2 situations you'll probably not need this elite benefit.
Additional luggage allowance
You'll receive an additional luggage allowance of ten (10) kg flying on Philippine Airlines (except to/from the USA, Canada, Middle East, Japan, and Guam) and PAL Express.
As an over-packer, this perk can come in really handy for someone like me. I find it weird though that PAL Express is excluded since a lot of local flights are operated by PAL Express. So depending on how they enforce this would make a difference.
Bottomline
I'm almost halfway through qualifying for the 30 economy flights route with a few more PAL trips on the near horizon for me and it's only April. I'd say I have a solid chance of making elite status this year assuming I continue to travel with PAL.
I do have a ton of KrisFlyer miles which I plan to use and avoid devaluation so I'll have to make some decisions in the future if the elite status is worth spending a few extra thousand pesos on.
If I'm close to making it by December I might make a mileage run just to become an elite member for the first time.
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