Why airlines should consider adjusting elite requirements again
It's been nearly a year since every major U.S. airline extended elite status.
By throwing in the towel, airlines could start fresh in 2021, giving flyers a blank slate on which to earn status this year. But, travel is still down significantly from pre-pandemic highs, and without some more help from the airlines, elite ranks will be thinned.
American and United unveiled reduced thresholds and promotions late last year. Delta finally announced its status accelerator offer on Wednesday.
Now more than ever, more can be done to woo frequent flyers back to the skies. Demand is picking up and more Americans are getting vaccinated. With many pandemic-weary travelers traveling for the first time since last March, it's time for (a modified) round two of the elite-status extensions.
Soft landing for all
2020 was one of the worst years ever for the aviation industry. With the stay-at-home orders and quarantine requirements, it made sense that every airline outright extended status for another year.
With demand, especially among leisure travelers, recovering, this year is shaping up to be different. As such, there's little reason for airlines to extend status again. By doing that — as some have suggested — loyalists no longer have as much of an incentive to continue flying their preferred carrier.
No matter how quickly demand bounces back, however, many international destinations will remain closed. Business travel will still be down significantly since the pre-pandemic highs. That's why airlines should instead consider a soft landing for all.
Loyalty programs could tell elites that regardless of how much progress you make at requalifying, you'll enjoy status in 2022 at one level lower than the current tier.
If you were elite in 2019, odds are you're still a valuable flyer for your preferred carrier. So even if you don't organically requalify, airlines ought to recognize that value; after all, the goal of loyalty programs and elite status is to continually generate incremental revenue.
How loyal would you feel if you were a top-tier elite in 2019, but then started flying in 2022 as a general member?
Related: All of the elite qualification changes you need to know about for 2021
Thresholds need a reality check
American Airlines already reduced elite requirements by about 20% to 33% and United reduced its by roughly 25%. Delta just announced a 50% to 75% status accelerator, and the carrier rolled over all Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) earned in 2020.
Nevertheless, until long-haul travel meaningfully resumes, the big 3 U.S. airlines would do well to rethink their reduced elite-qualifying thresholds.
For example, AA and Delta have a distance-based component to elite qualification.
We're a quarter into 2021, and the farthest the average American can travel is Hawaii, or the Maldives if you're feeling adventurous. An American Airlines elite would need to fly from Dallas to Honolulu and back roughly once a month in coach to earn top-tier status. Monthly trips to Hawaii sound great in theory, but that doesn't fit a typical travel pattern.
United awards Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) based on airfare spend. A top-tier Premier 1K needs to earn 11,250 PQPs to requalify this year (after factoring in the 2021 starter bonus). Spending over $10,000 in domestic and short-haul international airfare is equivalent to over $800 a month, assuming someone is traveling every month of the year.
Without attainable goalposts, loyal flyers might give up before trying, thereby defeating the purpose of the loyalty program.
Take a look at JetBlue.
The New York-based carrier halved the flying requirements for Mosaic status and even introduced a new pathway to status that combines cobranded card spend and "butt-in-seat" flying. Earning Moasic this year requires $2,000 of spend on JetBlue flights and 15 segments — that's significantly more attainable than some of the legacy carriers, especially considering that airfares are on the rise once again.
Targeted promotions to close the gap
With a soft landing and reduced qualifying thresholds, targeted promotions can help close the gap to retaining elite status — and keep loyal flyers on the elite-status hamster wheel, even as travel slowly rebounds.
Loyalty programs have been talking about personalization for years. Well, it's time to apply that concept to earning status in 2021.
If you frequently travel solo, perhaps you should be awarded double elite-qualifying credit for flying with a friend or family member for the first time.
Maybe you used to purchase last-minute premium-cabin seats when flying for work, but you've been buying coach recently. Wouldn't you be more incentivized to upgrade your next flight if you earned double or triple the qualifying credit?
Throughout 2020 and into 2021, carriers have launched a slew of brand-new routes, many of which are point-to-point bypassing hubs. To boost load factors, generate buzz and help elites close the requalification gap, why not offer a new route bonus? This isn't a new idea, either. For much of this century, it was a tried-and-true idea for carriers adding new service. Northwest Airlines -- and many others -- frequently offered bonus redeemable miles for flying new routes. This could be a good year for carriers to consider a qualifying bonus.
United's MIle Play program has historically offered targeted offers for completing certain activities, like taking a given number of premium-cabin flights or purchasing an extra-legroom seat on an upcoming trip.
With the infrastructure already built, United should consider offering promotions to anyone flying these days, while American, Delta and others could consider developing a more personalized offer hub. (United offered all flyers bonus PQPs for the first three trips of 2021, but that promotion expired on March 31.)
The good news? It's possible that more promos are on the way.
“As the year progresses, if we need to launch additional promos to help members get there, of course we’ll do that,” Luc Bondar, United's president of MileagePlus said late last year.
Rick Elieson, American's president of AAdvantage, told TPG in October that “if we haven’t [made the right goalposts], we’ll figure out ways to adapt. We want people to have an engaged and rewarding experience with American.”
Though we have no insider information, loyalty executives have promised to reassess the elite qualification as the year progresses. Now, the clock's ticking for another round of adjustments or promotions.
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| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.