Elite status games are getting more expensive to play
by Brian Kelly
Hi everyone,
First, I want to share that our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area. You are at the forefront of our thoughts. Our team has put together a guide with the latest Southern California travel and waiver information, resources for those affected and a way to help if you feel inclined.
I’m still out on leave this week, but in my absence I asked TPG’s managing news editor, Clint Henderson, to share his elite status strategies for the new year.
Really hope you all are staying safe and staying well,
It’s always a bit jarring to see zero hotel nights and zero airline status points in my various airline and hotel apps.
While not every status tracker ends with the old year, even programs like American Airlines AAdvantage that have a different status year will soon reset.
We all need to decide now whether we will commit to getting back on the hamster wheel for status in 2026.
It’s a tough decision because not only have status requirements gotten tougher and more expensive to reach, but the benefits are increasingly weaker. It’s much more difficult these days to get free upgrades, use upgrade instruments or even maximize our mileage redemptions. It’s one of the biggest trends we are watching in 2025.
A few of my own decisions are easy. I’ve got top-tier Diamond status with Hilton via a credit card. Cards also help me earn Platinum status with IHG and Marriott, so I won’t be pushing hard on those programs.
This year, I’m focused primarily on reearning top-tier Hyatt Globalist status, which requires 60 nights. I’ll get some of those by spending on my World of Hyatt Credit Card. Hyatt just came out with an updated welcome offer on this card and a best-ever offer on the business version.
On the airline front, it’s getting increasingly difficult to stay in the game. TPG’s Summer Hull had enough of the escalating price that United Airlines demands. She’s dropping to Gold after years of being either Premier 1K or Platinum.
For myself, I was able to roll over Medallion Qualification Miles that are now extinct at Delta Air Lines for top-tier Diamond status through January 2026, but otherwise, it’s just too expensive for me after that. I’m not spending $28,000 to stay in the highest levels of the Delta universe.
I’ve managed to requalify for American Airlines Executive Platinum status for 2025, but I’m seriously thinking of moving over to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan after that. Alaska still gives elite status based, in part, on miles flown, so reaching the top of its elite ranks will likely be the way forward come 2026. Plus, it has a cool new premium card coming later this year.
If you need some help figuring out what to do for status, here are a few good articles to help you get started:
Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products, and this may impact how or where they appear. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Photo Credit: CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY.
You are receiving this email because you opted in atthepointsguy.com.
Where to find us:
The Points Guy 100 5th Ave., 16th Floor New York, NY 10011 USA USA
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here.
Advertiser Disclosure:
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
