Love it or leave it: TPG managing editor Clint Henderson’s elite status plans for 2024
Editor's Note
It's been quite a roller coaster of a year in the world of points and miles.
Delta Air Lines, for example, unveiled some pretty extreme changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program before softening some of those changes. Still, it's becoming much harder to earn Delta status next year. While I qualified for Diamond Medallion status for next year, the huge spending requirements for 2025 mean I will likely enjoy Diamond Medallion status in 2024 but give it up in the long term.
That's just one example of the big changes to the status landscape this year.
My elite status journey has been erratic over the past several years, to say the least. I've done several status challenges, gotten some big wins and been forced to cut my losses in a few programs. This year was no different.
There were also some incredible opportunities to take shortcuts to top-tier status in several programs, including World of Hyatt and American Airlines AAdvantage. Those status hacks got me fully invested once again in programs I had said goodbye to last year.
Hopefully, you'll be able to create your own path forward, and maybe my journey can teach you a few things, too.
American Airlines AAdvantage: Executive Platinum via shortcut
I held AAdvantage Executive Platinum status for many years, but in 2018, American started making it more difficult (and expensive) to achieve top-tier status.
That's when I decided to try some new programs. I did status challenges for both Delta and Alaska Airlines, and I mostly stopped flying with American. Still, I managed to hit AAdvantage Platinum Pro in 2019, and that status was then extended for multiple years during the COVID-19 pandemic. My Platinum Pro status finally expired at the end of January 2022, though, and I dropped to the dreaded entry-level member status.
However, something interesting happened during that period. Alaska and American became Oneworld partners, and because I had top-tier Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold 100K status, I ended up with perks when flying American. I even wrote about how I'd been upgraded a ton as an Alaska elite member flying on American Airlines.
So, flying Alaska sent me back into the arms of American AAdvantage.
Related: What is American Airlines elite status worth?
Fast forward to 2022, and I wasn't able to requalify for Alaska MVP Gold 100K status, dropping down two levels to MVP Gold. But then, American did something to lure me back into the Oneworld fold.
American unveiled a new Instant Status Pass, which granted me Platinum Pro status until the end of March and the opportunity to extend it in rolling phases. If I earned 67,000 Loyalty Points, I could get boosted to Executive Platinum.
I did just that. Playing the Loyalty Points game has been wildly fun, and I've requalified for Executive Platinum status for the past three requalification phases. I got a congratulatory email in early December stating that I've earned enough to unlock Executive Platinum status through March 2025. Because of how fun it has been to acquire Loyalty Points, of all my airline statuses, AAdvantage is the one I plan on sticking with beyond 2025.
Since I went all-in on attaining Executive Platinum status, I decided to open the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to make it easier to rack up Loyalty Points. That alone went a long way in reaching my goal, netting me an extra 20,000 Loyalty Points — 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points and another 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Points.
One thing American got right — at least for this consumer — is luring me back to the AAdvantage program. I'm already booked on American Airlines flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Tokyo, and that's just through the first few months of 2024.
Delta SkyMiles: Diamond Medallion (for now)
I'd been coasting as a Delta Platinum Medallion member since I did a status challenge in 2019, but this year, I decided to push to try to earn Diamond Medallion status ... and I succeeded. Through some creative status runs and a lucky upgrade credit, I managed to get the coveted status for 2024.
How did I do it? I credited some major international trips flying on partner airlines to Delta. That included a status run flying in Aeromexico business class from Montreal to Medellin, Colombia, via Mexico City over a weekend in November.
That trip earned me a total of 3,302 Medallion Qualification Dollars and 12,382 Medallion Qualification Miles.
I did even better on a series of KLM flights in business class to Bangkok from Toronto, crediting those flights to Delta for increased MQDs.
For that adventure alone, I earned a total of 7,737 MQDs and 38,764 MQMs. That got me much of the way to what I already thought was too much spending for Diamond Medallion status.
Delta hiked the cost of earning status several times in the past few years. The most recent increase was dialed back a bit this year after consumer outcry, but essentially, if I wanted to re-earn status for 2025, I'd need to spend a whopping $28,000 on Delta next year. That's simply out of reach for most of us (myself included).
My total spending for 2023 was $21,004, and I earned a total of 233,671 MQMs, including 116,000 MQMs that rolled over from 2023 and 15,000 MQMs from a status boost by spending more than $30,000 on my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
The $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) for the Delta Reserve is steep but is often worth it for those chasing status — or, at least, it had been. Next year, I've decided to stop spending tens of thousands of dollars on my Delta Reserve since it will only earn 1 MQD for every $10 I spend on purchases next year as a result of there being no more spend waiver for status on Delta cobranded cards.
MQMs earned above your highest Medallion threshold used to roll over to the next year to give you a head start on earning status. That helped me keep Delta Platinum Medallion status since 2019. That will unfortunately end next year, but Delta is offering elite members an interesting way to use up rollover MQMs (which will go away as a metric beginning next year).
If you have rollover MQMs, there are several one-time conversion opportunities available. Since I have a large balance of rollover MQMs, I'll be able to choose complimentary Medallion status at my current tier for one year for every 100,000 MQMs I have. That will allow me to extend my Diamond Medallion status into 2025.
Still, after that, I'm going to say a fond farewell to Delta status. It's just getting too rich for my blood.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Dropping from Gold and giving up for next year
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan had been my go-to elite status for the past several years, but that came to an end in 2023.
When I first started at TPG in 2019, I signed up for a status challenge that got me to MVP Gold 75K status, and that kept me on the status hamster wheel with Alaska for several years. I moved to Montana during the pandemic, and that Alaska status got quite a workout, as I used it to travel all over the place, including to a new country when Alaska launched service to Belize.
Related: It's all about the upgrade: How and why I went for Alaska's new top-tier MVP Gold 100K status
I even earned Alaska's new top-tier MVP Gold 100K status when it was unveiled in 2021.
MVP Gold 100K members are given two international one-way upgrade certificates to use on American Airlines, and I was able to use one of mine to upgrade an American Airlines flight from Paris to New York. These upgrades are similar to American's popular systemwide upgrades.
Related: Alliance-wide redemptions delayed: The latest on Alaska's Oneworld partnership
Alaska had as many as five daily flights to its hub in Seattle from my then-home airport in Bozeman, Montana, which really ramped up my Alaska flying.
But all good things must come to an end. A move back to New York City in 2022 made flying Alaska tougher than when I was in Big Sky Country. In 2023, I dropped down to Mileage Plan Gold status.
I've also been pretty disappointed with recent changes to the program. It's harder to find business-class seats for international travel on Alaska partners, which makes spending my Alaska miles frustrating. Alaska instituted dynamic pricing on awards, and they are now often more expensive than booking with other programs.
The good news is that Alaska's partnership with American Airlines means I can still fly on Alaska flights, which inherit my top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage status. I still get a lot of good use from the companion certificate from my Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card.
With this card, you get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. I used mine to take my brother to Maui.
Related: Alaska Airlines credit cards get additional perks, new restrictions — and a higher annual fee
Still, my passion for the Alaska program has cooled since 2019, and I won't try to earn status with Mileage Plan moving forward.
World of Hyatt: Globalist goals
I've loved having top-tier Hyatt status again this year after an incredible offer through Bilt to get World of Hyatt Globalist status through 2025. Bilt Rewards offered a chance to earn Hyatt Globalist status with 20 nights instead of the usual 60, and I jumped at the opportunity. I quickly qualified again via some stays, mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area and Miami.
Earlier this year, I dropped back down to Explorist status until that Bilt Challenge, so it was great timing.
Related: 6 reasons I love my Bilt Mastercard as a renter in the most expensive city in the US
World of Hyatt Globalist is one of my absolute favorite statuses. Last year, I used a suite upgrade at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme courtesy of Hyatt Globalist status and scored a one-bedroom suite on a points redemption of just 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
I also got a suite at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca this year by using another suite upgrade.
Globalist benefits include guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, free breakfast and better upgrade odds, among other perks.
Since I've had such a great experience as a Globalist, I plan on keeping both my World of Hyatt Credit Card and my World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. They should help me get some elite nights (for example, the personal World of Hyatt card comes with five nights upon renewal) toward status each year.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?
I don't need to spend on those cards for World of Hyatt points, and I probably won't, even though you get two elite nights for every $5,000 you put on the personal card. I'd rather transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards via spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?
Regardless, I have really enjoyed my Hyatt Globalist status. One of my best Hyatt experiences involved getting upgraded to the presidential suite during a recent stay at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport.
So, while striving for 60 nights in 2024 may be a stretch, I'm looking forward to trying for the sake of trying to maintain my Globalist status. And you never know if another promotion will pop up with a shortcut — like we saw with Bilt in 2023.
Hilton Honors: Diamond forever
Hilton Honors is the easiest of my top-tier status achievements to reach. While I only stayed at a Hilton hotel four times this year, I still have the program's highest status level: Diamond. How did I manage that? Simple: It's a perk of holding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Related: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
The card comes with Hilton Diamond status for as long as you have the card. Despite recent "enhancements" and a change to the card's hefty annual fee — it's now increasing to $550 (see rates and fees) — the card is still worth keeping. There are other valuable inclusions, such as $400 to spend at Hilton resorts every year starting Jan. 1, 2024 ($200 from January to June and another $200 from July to December), $200 in statement credits for flight purchases ($50 per quarter) and a free weekend night when you open the account and reach your annual card anniversary.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Thanks to having this card, I've now had Hilton Diamond status since 2020.
Related: Best Hilton cards
While I certainly have had some nice stays at Hilton properties, including the stunning Conrad Bora Bora Nui, a few have been not-so-great.
However, I have been able to use the airline fee credits regularly, and I made sure to use the $250 resort credit this year on a recent stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. These perks alone justify keeping the Aspire card and my Diamond status for 2024, even if I don't have as much luck getting upgrades with Hilton as I do with Hyatt.
Marriott Bonvoy: Platinum Elite via credit card
For the past few years, I've been very content with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status I've received courtesy of The Platinum Card® from American Express, which gives status in several hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
Then came 2022. When American Express made the surprise announcement that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card would get Platinum Elite status for as long as they hold the card, I jumped at the chance to apply for the card. As a result, I'm now a Platinum Elite member and will be keeping this card in 2024 since I've found this elite status super useful.
Related: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
I had several great stays at Marriott properties in 2023, including at the Sheraton Lake Como Hotel in Italy; the Hotel President Wilson, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Geneva in Switzerland; and The London Edition.
Having Platinum Elite status made those stays better, as I enjoyed benefits like guaranteed late checkout, lounge access and complimentary breakfast. I even got a suite upgrade while staying at Le Méridien N'Fis in Morocco.
Free lounge access during a recent stay at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel in Canada was much appreciated, too.
Even though many of our favorite Marriott Bonvoy properties now cost more points due to dynamic pricing, I still find that Bonvoy points come in handy. In fact, I got a fifth night free by redeeming 120,000 Bonvoy points to stay at the Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown at the beginning of the year.
I'll end the year with just 41 Marriott nights. I won't try to get higher status next year, though the idea of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is intriguing. You receive 15 elite night credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status each year you hold the card.
At least for now, though, I'll keep the personal Brilliant card open and enjoy Platinum Elite status without worrying about how many nights I need to stay.
IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite via credit card
Back in 2022, I stayed at several memorable IHG properties, including the stunning Six Senses Shaharut and the InterContinental David Tel Aviv.
This year was a bit more pedestrian. I had a few nice stays at Hotel Indigo properties. Otherwise, it was just a Holiday Inn here or there.
But despite only staying four nights at IHG hotels in 2023, I will keep IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status simply by holding the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants).
The card includes a handful of nice perks, but best of all, it gives you Platinum Elite status and a free night award to use at lower-category properties (up to 40,000 points).
Related: InterContinental brand evolution part of IHG's broader luxury liftoff
I used my free night award the first year I had the card on a stay in Singapore and again in 2021 for an incredible stay at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman. This year, I used it at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nassau in the Bahamas. While it wasn't the greatest redemption ever, it did provide good value considering nightly rates were around $200 at the time.
The information for the IHG One Rewards Select card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Earn up to 140,000 points with these IHG card offers
The new version of the card is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which also gets you Platinum Elite status. However, it also comes with a fourth night free on award stays and the ability to add points to your 40,000-point certificate to use it at more expensive properties (these aren't available on the Select card). The annual fee is $99.
I'll keep my IHG card for status (and a free night) again next year. I'm also sitting on a nice stash of points, so odds are I'll enjoy some great redemptions in the not-too-distant future — though I don't have any IHG stays planned so far.
Bottom line
At the start of 2023, I was pretty sure I'd be more of a free agent with airlines and hotels than I had been in prior years, but the programs had other plans. Not only was I able to finally earn Delta Diamond Medallion status, but status challenges earned me top-tier status in two more of my favorite programs.
I'll have top-tier status with Delta, American, Hyatt and Hilton again next year. I'm excited to use some of my perks in 2024, and I will surely be reporting back on my 2025 plans next year. One thing is for sure: I don't think I'll be able to qualify for all these programs again come 2025.
If you're like me and are looking for alternatives after Delta's big changes, several airlines are trying to scoop up some of Delta's beleaguered customers by offering status matches and/or challenges for next year.
American Airlines AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and JetBlue TrueBlue have all responded by offering targeted status matches for Delta Medallion elite members and others looking to jump ship.
No matter which programs you're loyal to (or are considering becoming loyal to), be sure to evaluate whether your current status plans and hopes for gaining status still make sense in this changed loyalty landscape. While many programs come with valuable perks worth striving for, you may find that opting for a credit card that automatically grants elite status is the better way to go.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Aspire Card, click here.
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