A debate has been raging in The Points Guy newsroom for the past few years: Is airline status worth it anymore?
Fewer upgrades, tougher earning requirements, dynamic pricing and watered-down benefits have many of us at TPG deciding the answer is “no.”
This year has been my busiest travel year ever. I should end up flying nearly 200,000 miles. You’d think that would make my status earning easier than ever, but many programs have raised status requirements, and the game has gotten harder and harder every year.
But despite my complaints, I continue to pursue both airline and hotel status. I can’t seem to quit the status hamster wheel. That said, for some programs, I’ve decided to cut my losses.
I’ll be able to requalify for top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage status, and I’ve already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist status. Those two programs will earn the bulk of my travel next year — but I just did a status match to United MileagePlus, so I’m excited to try out a program I’m less familiar with.
I’ll go into the new year with mid-tier Alaska Airlines status as well, and I really like the new Atmos Rewards program. I’m eager to see what’s possible with the new program, as I’ve continued to make some incredible redemptions with the points.
In 2026, I’ll continue to hold Platinum Elite status in IHG One Rewards, as well as Hilton Honors Diamond status, just for carrying credit cards. And this year, for the first time, I requalified for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status organically (I’d previously earned it from holding a top-end credit card).
Here’s the full breakdown of where I am heading into 2026, and some ways it could help you on your own status journey.
American Airlines AAdvantage: Executive Platinum
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I’ve held AAdvantage Executive Platinum status for several years now, and it’s the program I’m probably most engaged in (aside from World of Hyatt). I’m close to requalifying for Executive Platinum for 2026 already, and I still have a few months to try to hit a few of the airline’s new Loyalty Point Rewards milestones.
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Once you hit 175,000 Loyalty Points, you can choose from a menu of valuable benefits, including what I would consider the single most valuable perk: two systemwide upgrade certificates.
AMERICAN AIRLINES
I’m likely to choose systemwide upgrades again, but the 25,000 bonus miles and the trip credits are probably the best alternate options.
AMERICAN AIRLINESAMERICAN AIRLINES
I’ve really enjoyed my status this year, with a few complimentary domestic upgrades and some even bigger perks.
This year, I’ve been able to use three systemwide upgrades. I used two for international flights, including an upgrade from premium economy to business class on two American Airlines flights to and from London, and another on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco to New York to upgrade into first class on American’s three-class A321T.
I was also able to score several great redemptions this year using AAdvantage miles. I booked first class on Japan Airlines for just 80,000 AAdvantage miles twice!
A one-way flight from San Francisco to Tokyo for just 80,000 AA miles and $5.60 in taxes and fees. AMERICAN AIRLINES
Related: How I booked Japan Airlines first class for just 80K American Airlines AAdvantage miles
So far this year, I’ve earned 197,149 Loyalty Points. The qualification year runs through Feb. 28, so I may be able to hit one more reward tier (at 250,000 Loyalty Points) to claim one of a slew of AA benefits, such as more systemwide upgrades, bonus miles or a $200-$250 trip credit.
Part of my strategy has been holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to make it easier to rack up Loyalty Points.
That alone helps me reach my status goal. It nets 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.
I also hold the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® — but that is going away after this year, when Citi becomes the sole issuer of all AAdvantage credit cards starting next year.
Still, that card has gotten me an extra 5,000 Loyalty Points, since I’ve spent $20,000 on it this year. I’m eager to see what happens to my Silver Aviator card next year.
The information for the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
I have some incredible trips coming up in 2026, including visits to Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg — and I can’t wait to put my status to the test.
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards: Gold, but going for Titanium?
Alaska Airlines will paint all of its 787s in this livery inspired by the northern lights. ALASKA AIRLINES
I’m very excited by the new Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines this year. That’s expanded the route map and also introduced some exciting new benefits that will roll out in 2026.
I managed to do a status challenge with Hawaiian Airlines this year before it formally merged with Alaska. That translated to Atmos Rewards Gold when the two programs merged earlier this year.
Last year, I used Alaska miles to fly on partner Starlux Airlines in business class to Taiwan and back, and I did it again this year.
I also booked partner award flights using Alaska miles on Japan Airlines in business class and on partner American Airlines in the new Dreamliner suite product from Chicago to London.
Alaska’s partnership with American Airlines means I can still fly on Alaska flights, which inherit my top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage status. I also still get a lot of good use from the companion certificate from my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card.
With this card, you get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) for 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 Hawaii.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I’m considering going for a higher status with Alaska in 2026. I love that it will now upgrade top-tier Titanium members (and a companion) to business class on international flights on the day of departure. At some point next year, those with status will be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights within North America.
Alaska is now the only major U.S. airline that lets you earn elite status from flights based on actual flight miles. That means you don’t have to spend an outrageous amount of money to earn top-tier status (though you can choose to earn status via spending).
Alaska also made several positive changes on the status-earning front. Alaska Atmos Rewards members now earn points on award redemptions, and there are also new ways to spend toward status.
Cardholders with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card earn 1 status point for every $3 spent, up to a total of 30,000 status points each year on qualified purchases (though the cap on status points goes away in 2026).
But those who, like me, have the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card earn 1 status point for every $2 spent on the card, with no spending cap. You’ll also earn 10,000 status points each year on your account anniversary (starting in 2026).
I’m planning on putting a ton of spending on my Summit card next year, since Atmos Rewards has a partnership with Bilt Rewards that gets you 3 Atmos Rewards points for every dollar of rent you put on the card.
That could help get me a good chunk of the way toward top-tier Titanium status, which requires 100,000 status points in 2025 and 135,000 in 2026.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Alaska Atmos Rewards elite status
Delta SkyMiles: Silver Medallion (down from Diamond)
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Sadly, my run with Delta Air Lines Diamond Medallion is coming to an end. I had Delta Medallion status through 2025 thanks to rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (RIP). Last year, I was able to extend my status via a special one-time Choice Benefit that allowed me to take my unused rollover MQMs and turn them into Diamond status through January 2026.
Delta now has much higher elite status requirements in its SkyMiles Medallion loyalty program, and I find the requirements for Diamond status are just too high, considering what you get as a top-tier elite.
If I’d wanted to reearn status for 2026, I would have had to spend a whopping $28,000 on Delta.
My total spending for 2025 will come in at around 9,600 in Medallion Qualification Dollars. This includes 2,500 MQDs just for holding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
The $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) for the Delta Reserve is steep, but it’s often worth it for those chasing status. It’s just not enough of a boost to get me even to Gold status.
The Reserve card does give 1 MQD for every $10 you spend on the card. Technically, you could spend your way to status, but there’s no way I can put that much spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. While I still like the card for all its perks, I’m no longer putting much spending on it.
All that said, I’ve enjoyed my Diamond status this year. I had Global Upgrade Certificates move me from Premium Select to Delta One on flights to and from Marrakech on the inaugural from Atlanta.
I’ve also made great use of SkyMiles. I lucked out with an award from Mexico City International Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and then to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Delta One. There was a brief moment when the flight was available for just 73,000 SkyMiles one-way. I jumped at the opportunity to fly in Delta One on the more-than-14-hour flight to Australia.
Related: Some of the best ways to use Delta SkyMiles
But for next year, I’m getting off the Delta hamster wheel and bidding a fond farewell to top-tier Delta status. It’s just getting too rich for my blood; Silver is fine for me for 2026.
Despite being what I’d consider the least valuable airline currency, SkyMiles remain appealing, and I’ll keep my Reserve card for the long term.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning Delta Medallion elite status
Air Canada Aeroplan: Dropping to member
Last year, I added a new status to the mix: I got Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K status for signing up for a credit card. Sadly, that status will expire at the end of the year.
I haven’t had many opportunities to fly with Air Canada. In fact, I had a bunch of eUpgrade certificates expire.
I’ve been increasingly intrigued by Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, which oftentimes allows bookings as low as 60,000 to 70,000 points for business class on partner airlines (like United).
I signed up for the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) from Chase, which currently has a welcome offer of up to 100,000 points: Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening and another 25,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months from account opening.
I’m now sitting on nearly 186,000 points. I accumulated them from that generous welcome bonus and an offer to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan and earn a 20% transfer bonus (not currently available).
I was able to book a business-class flight from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires on Emirates for 56,000 Aeroplan points. That’s a fifth-freedom route and an exciting adventure for this AvGeek who has never flown Emirates.
This year, I’m considering using my points on one of the airline’s affordable stopover offers. You can add a stopover on a one-way itinerary for just 5,000 Aeroplan points.
Related: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has become my favorite Star Alliance loyalty program
United Airlines MileagePlus: Premier 1K
UNITED
My newest status is United Airlines MileagePlus Premier 1K, which I will receive once I complete an activating flight in the next three months. I’ll get the top published tier status for 120 days, and then I’ll need to complete some combination of flying and earning to keep the status for the whole year.
I’m excited to experience an airline I’ve flown very little with over the years. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is also much closer to my Upper West Side apartment than John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, so I’m thrilled I might have an easier trip to the airport.
World of Hyatt: Globalist
Park Hyatt Seoul. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I’ve loved having top-tier Hyatt status again this year.
Related: 6 reasons I love my Bilt Mastercard as a renter in the most expensive city in the US
World of Hyatt Globalist status is one of my absolute favorites. I’ve been able to use suite upgrades at several incredible properties this year, including the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Hyatt Regency Cape Town in South Africa.
Globalist benefits include guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, free breakfast and better upgrade odds.
This year, I’ve earned top-tier status organically with stays all over the world. I especially loved the Park Hyatt Marrakech, where I was upgraded to a Park Suite as a Globalist.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I’ve already earned a total of 82 nights at Hyatt hotels this year. I may try to hit 90 nights in 2025, so I can earn another Milestone Rewards choice.
I also plan on keeping both my World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) and my World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees). They’ll help me get more elite nights 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 since you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt. I tend to earn a lot of Chase Ultimate Rewards points via spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
But I have been putting Hyatt stays on my World of Hyatt Credit Card to earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts. You also get two elite nights for every $5,000 you put on the personal card.
To me, World of Hyatt is the most valuable hotel loyalty program. I already have trips on the books for Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires — and I’m excited to see where else World of Hyatt takes me.
Related: Why I aim to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each year
Hilton Honors: Diamond forever
Hilton Honors is the easiest of my status achievements to reach. While I only stayed at a Hilton hotel a few times this year, I still hold the program’s highest status level: Diamond. How did I manage that? It’s a perk of holding 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 hold it. Despite “enhancements” and a change to the card’s hefty annual fee — it’s now $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 (a $200 statement credit from January to June and another $200 statement credit from July to December), $200 in statement credits for flight purchases ($50 per quarter) and a free night when you open the account and reach your annual card anniversary.
This year I used my free night at the chic Conrad Tokyo on a room that would have been more than $1,100!
Conrad Tokyo. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I also used one of my $200 stay credits at the Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa in Morocco, and the other at Resorts World Las Vegas. In past years, I’ve also used it at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Hawaii.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu, Hawaii. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I also use the airline fee credits regularly. When using the Aspire card to pay, you get $50 in statement credits for airline purchases once a quarter.
Thanks to this card, I’ve had Hilton Diamond status since 2020.
While I have had some nice stays at Hilton properties — including the stunning Conrad Bora Bora Nui — over the years, I’ve rarely been upgraded despite my Diamond status. Still, the statement credits alone justify keeping the Aspire card and my Diamond status for 2026, even if I don’t have as much luck getting upgrades with Hilton as I do with Hyatt.
Marriott Bonvoy: Platinum Elite
For the first time this year, I earned Platinum Elite status with Marriott organically with 51 nights in 2025.
In the past, I’d been very content with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status I received courtesy of the American Express Platinum Card®; it gives status in several hotel programs, including Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
Related: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
Then came 2022. When American Express surprised everyone by announcing 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 it. As a result, I’ve held Platinum Elite status since then. This is the first year I’ve stayed at enough hotels to earn it outright.
I’ve spent more than two dozen nights at Marriott properties this year, and having Platinum Elite status certainly enhanced my trips.
For the first time, I’ve earned an Annual Choice Benefit award. I’ll likely choose five Nightly Upgrade Awards, even though I’ve heard they are hard to use.
MARRIOTT
Over the past several years, I’ve had great stays at Marriott properties, including at the Ritz-Carlton in Perth, Australia; the Sheraton Lake Como Hotel in Italy; The Tokyo Edition, Ginza; and The London Edition.
The Hotel President Wilson in Geneva. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
I used the annual free night that comes with the Brilliant card two years in a row at the Hotel President Wilson. I love the lakefront location.
This year, I used it for London’s Bankside Hotel, which I raved about in a story for TPG.
Having Platinum Elite status made those stays better: I enjoyed benefits like guaranteed late checkout, lounge access and complimentary breakfast. I once even got a suite upgrade while staying at Le Meridien N’Fis in Morocco.
Free lounge access comes with Platinum status, and I took advantage of that perk during a prior year’s stay at the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel in Canada.
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.
I’ll end the year with 51 Marriott nights. I won’t try to get a higher status next year, though the idea of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is intriguing. Each year you hold the card, you receive 15 elite night credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
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.
Related: Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status
IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite via credit card
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Like my other hotel statuses, I have Platinum Elite status with IHG One Rewards by virtue of holding its hotel-branded card. That’s where I’ll stay for 2026.
Over the years, I’ve stayed at several memorable IHG properties, including the stunning Six Senses Shaharut and the InterContinental David Tel Aviv.
This year, I spent time at the Kimpton Fitzroy in London, the InterContinental Porto in Portugal, the Kimpton Overland Hotel in Atlanta and the InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia (which I wrote about for TPG).
Despite only staying seven nights at IHG hotels in 2025, I will keep IHG Platinum Elite status simply by holding the IHG One Rewards Select Credit Card (no longer open to new applicants).
The card offers a handful of nice perks, but best of all, it grants holders Platinum Elite status and a free night award worth up to 40,000 points.
Related: InterContinental brand evolution part of IHG’s broader luxury liftoff
I used my free night award over the years at several great properties, including the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.
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.
The new version of the card is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees), which also provides Platinum Elite status. It also comes with a fourth night free on award stays and the ability to add points to your 40,000-point certificate (these perks 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 in 2026.
Related: Last-minute strategies for earning IHG One Rewards elite status
Bottom line
I’ve toyed with the idea of going fully free agent and stopping my pursuit of status. But I can’t seem to force myself to get off the status hamster wheel.
While I did give up Delta Diamond Medallion status, a busier-than-ever travel year easily earned me top-tier status in my two top programs: American Airlines AAdvantage and World of Hyatt.
I’ll have top-tier status with American, Hyatt and Hilton again next year. I’m excited to use some of my perks in 2026, and I will report back on my 2027 plans next year. A status challenge with United has opened some intriguing possibilities, and a shift to Alaska may happen in 2026 as well.
If you’re considering going for status, you should really do the math to see if the extra costs are worth the benefits you get. It’s harder to earn status these days, and the benefits keep getting whittled down. Don’t do it unless you know you will use the perks and that you can do it without spending a small fortune you wouldn’t otherwise spend.
It can be more cost-effective to just get a credit card that automatically gives you some of the perks of status, like free checked bags and priority boarding.
At least think about it. I’m not sure I’m the best at following my own advice.
Related reading:
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
