When does airline elite status expire?
Editor's Note
Qualifying for and maintaining airline elite status is usually a yearly endeavor unless you have lifetime elite status. As we approach the end of 2024, it's worth checking that your status qualification requirements are squared away.
It's possible to earn status at any point throughout the year, and each loyalty program is different. So, as the year ends, you might wonder, "When does my airline status expire?" In this guide, we'll discuss when airline elite status expires for several major U.S. airline loyalty programs.
Airline elite status basics
To fully understand when your airline elite status expires, you should consider two sets of dates:
- Qualification period: How long you have to earn the elite status
- Membership term: How long you keep elite status once you earn it
Most major U.S. airlines use a calendar year as their qualification period. However, there is one notable exception. Following American Airlines' switch to Loyalty Points in March 2022, the qualification period for AAdvantage is now March 1 through Feb. 28 (or Feb. 29) of the following year.
Once you've qualified, the other set of dates to understand is the membership term. Membership terms vary slightly from airline to airline, but they describe the period during which your elite status is valid.
If you're starting from scratch, you may want to try to qualify early within your qualification period. Doing so can maximize how long you'll enjoy your elite benefits. Now, let's take a more detailed look at the elite status expiration policies of several U.S. airline loyalty programs.
Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status typically expires on the Dec. 31 following the calendar year you earned your status.
For example, if you qualify for MVP Gold in November 2024, your status will be valid through Dec. 31, 2025.
Related: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: How to earn and redeem miles
American Airlines AAdvantage
As mentioned above, American Airlines AAdvantage switched to Loyalty Points in March 2022. Now, Loyalty Points are how you earn American Airlines elite status. The Loyalty Points posted to your account for the 12 months starting March 1 of each year determine your status tier.
The status qualification year starts March 1 and runs through the last day of February. However, once you earn elite status with AAdvantage, your membership term is through March 31 after your qualification year ends. So the Loyalty Points you earn between March 1, 2024, and Feb. 28, 2025, will get you status through March 31, 2026.
It is possible to qualify for American elite status with credit card spending. As such, some of the best American Airlines cards — including the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) — have become increasingly more important for American Airlines elite members.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines AAdvantage miles
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
Delta Medallion elite status is typically valid for 13 months following the calendar year you earned the status. For example, if you earn status in 2024, your status will expire Jan. 31, 2026.
Delta also has a Reclaim My Status program that may be helpful if a qualifying life event causes you to lose status or earn a lower status. If approved, Reclaim My Status gives you back your status from the previous Medallion year for three months, during which you must meet a specific Medallion Qualification Dollar threshold on qualifying Delta flights.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Delta Medallion elite status
JetBlue TrueBlue
JetBlue Mosaic status is valid through the end of the calendar year after which you qualify. For example, if you earn Mosaic status in November 2024, it'll be valid through Dec. 31, 2025.
Related: How to get upgraded on JetBlue
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Southwest offers the famed Companion Pass, but this perk isn't an elite status. However, Southwest does offer two elite tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. A-List, A-List Preferred and the Companion Pass are generally valid for the year in which you earn them and one full calendar year afterward.
If you have your eye on the Companion Pass, you should try to qualify as early in the year as possible to get close to two full years of free companion flights. However, Southwest occasionally offers promotional Companion Passes or promotional elite status with different expiration dates.
Related: Best Southwest Airlines credit cards
United Airlines MileagePlus
United uses the term "program year" to refer to the timeline in which your United MileagePlus elite status is valid. The program year with United Airlines runs through Jan. 31 of the following year. Thus, your status is good for the year you earn it, all of the following year and a month into the next year.
Related: Your guide to the United MileagePlus program
Bottom line
Earning airline elite status can unlock many perks. To reap the benefits from the hard work required to achieve status with an airline, you want to know when your status is valid and when it will expire. This knowledge will help you maximize your status and prepare for the next year of qualifying for status.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.