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When Do My Airline Benefits Begin Once I Earn Elite Status?

Nov. 01, 2015
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3 min read
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When Do My Airline Benefits Begin Once I Earn Elite Status?
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TPG reader Bart emailed to ask about earning elite status:

“I'm about to take a trip that will put me over the mileage threshold for United Premier Silver status (I've already met the revenue requirements). I have other upcoming travel, and would love a shot at an upgrade. How long will it take for my status to kick in?”

Airline elite status can be highly rewarding, and if you're going to put the loyalty and effort into earning status with an airline, you'd like to have as long as possible to enjoy it. Ideally, elite status would be granted immediately, but generally there's a delay between when you qualify and when you can start reaping the benefits.

United Premier Silver status offers perks like a higher mileage earning rate, complimentary access to Economy Plus seating, free checked bags and more. Bart is hoping for an upgrade on flights in the near future, and wants to know if his status will be updated quickly enough for him to qualify. United.com offers the following guidelines:

"As soon as you qualify for a higher level, we will automatically upgrade your Premier status, your new benefits will be effective, and we will send you a new membership card."

While that makes it sound like elite benefits are available instantaneously, in practice (and according to United reps) you can expect to wait about 24-72 hours from when you complete the flight that puts you over the threshold. If the system doesn't recognize your status by then, or if you're traveling again within that window, you can try calling the United Premier desk to see if they'll help you out.

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American Airlines updates your elite status instantaneously once you qualify.

Similarly, Delta says SkyMiles members should expect to wait one to two days (48 hours max) for Medallion status to show up after meeting eligibility requirements. However, in this case, the system updates automatically, so calling to expedite the process probably won't help. This is true whether you're moving up from no status to Silver Medallion or from Platinum to Diamond.

For its part, American says that AAdvantage elite status updates immediately upon completion of your qualifying travel. So if you earned status on the first leg of a trip, your benefits should (in theory) be available on your connecting flight. That makes it a lot easier to score an upgrade when you're planning an American Airlines mileage run.

Your experience may vary with other airlines (or even with the three discussed above). If you find yourself in a situation where you've earned elite status, but it isn't being recognized by the system, just ask for what you need. If you're polite and reasonable, I think most airline reps and gate agents will be sympathetic to your cause.

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.