Airline and Hotel Elite Status Soft Landing Reports?
So yesterday was judgement day for most loyalty programs - March 1, when those who didn't retain elite status either get dropped to non-status all together or sometimes you get lucky and only get bumped down a level, which is otherwise known as a soft landing.
Soft landing programs are usually informal and not publicized. So I'm curious to find out - did any loyalty programs offer soft landings this year? Was anyone granted status even though they didn't technically earn it?
I dropped from Delta Diamond to Platinum yesterday, but retained my American Airlines Executive Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador (which doesn't run on the calendar year) and Starwood Platinum. The difference between Diamond and Platinum isn't all that great, so I didn't think much about it. Curious to hear everyone else's experience! Have a great weekend, wherever your travels may take you. I'll see many of you Sunday at the New York Times Travel Show!
[card card-name='Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® MasterCard®' card-id='22144516' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app