Like many travelers, I’d given up on chasing elite status but as a result of travel and some backpedaling, I have a surprising 2024 end-of-year status review. If you are considering booking travel LiveAndLetsFly.com appreciates your support. If you haven’t followed...
End Of An Era: United Airlines Makes It Easier For Me To Give Up 1K Status, Embrace Free Agency
The 2025 changes announced to United MileagePlus today confirm my already-made decision to abandon the hamster wheel of frequent flyer elite status. I’m sad, but somewhat relieved! The End Of My Era As A United Premier 1K Flyer Today,...
My 2024 Elite Status Progress Report
Welcome to August. Seven months down, five to go in 2024. I thought it would be a good day to take a look at my elite status progress report as I think about the rest of 2024. My Elite...
My 2023 Elite Status Report Card, Plus A Look Ahead
Today is the great reset. 2023 is out, 2024 is in, and most of my trackers reset today when it comes to elite status. Let’s review 2023 and look ahead to elite status in 2024…which (big surprise) is probably...
My 2023 Q4 Elite Status Progress Report
As we enter the final quarter of the year, I thought I’d provide an elite status progress report and my thoughts on what the rest of the year and 2024 may look like. My 2023 Final Quarter Elite Status...
Airline Status Seller BasisTravel Seemingly Shuts Down
Two weeks ago I posted about an airline status seller, BasisTravel.com, and its dubious offering. It seems they have now shut down. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com....
Shady Airline Status Seller, BasisTravel, Hurts Elite Challenges
A company is outright selling airline status matches and challenges through shady practices and it’s not good for elite loyalty members. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If...
Overheard: Marriott Bonvoy Lost A Lot Of Elites Last Year
Clients this week shared some information from a Marriott employee that suggested the brand had a significant drop off in Bonvoy elite status holders. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
Dropping The Ball On Hilton’s Diamond Status Challenge
Hilton offered a Diamond Status challenge to me and I completely dropped the ball, here’s why and what I intend to do about it. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
The Upsides To Losing Elite Status
For the first time in more than a decade, I’ll enter next year with almost no elite status, but there are upsides to that too. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
My Grim Midyear Elite Status Progress Report
As we enter the second half of the year, I stand in a very dangerous position. Will this be the year I lose all my cherished elite status? My 2022 Midyear Elite Status Progress Report Here we are are...
Nearly Free Status With American Airlines Loyalty Points
I had written off American Airlines’ new Loyalty Points, and frankly, the airline until I found this way to cheaply and quickly earn status and points. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
I Lost My American Airlines Executive Platinum Status And I May Just Ditch All Status…
Here we are in April and my travel year is shaping up to be so different than I could have ever imagined. The bad news: I just lost my Executive Platinum elite status with American Airlines and dropped three...
United Airlines Adding “Earner Starter PQP” Deposit To MileagePlus Accounts
United Airlines is adding what it labels as an “Earner Starter PQP” deposit to MileagePlus accounts this morning, giving members a jump start on earning elite status for 2023. United Airlines “Earner Starter PQP” Hits MileagePlus Elite Accounts It...
UPDATE: Hyatt, Singapore Airlines Latest To Extend Status
Hyatt Hotels (for select members) and Singapore Airlines join most other travel providers extending status for loyal members. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed...
UPDATE: United Airlines MileagePlus Offers Status Retention For A Price
United Airlines has a funny way of showing loyalty to its Mileage Plus loyalty program members. For those who didn’t re-qualify for status in 2021, the chosen few were given a reprieve, for everyone else, a price. If you...
Spirit Joins Most Major Carriers Extending Status, But Longer
Spirit Airlines has joined most major carriers in the world by extending status in their inaugural year of elite status with its renewed Free Spirit program. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Hilton, Delta, Create Road Map For Elite Status Extensions
Delta first extended elite status some weeks ago but following that model we can see the road map for status extensions for the other carriers and hotel chains. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Delta Air Lines Extends Elite Status: Will American And United Follow?
Delta Air Lines extended the elite status of all of its SkyMiles Medallion members yesterday for another year. Will American Airlines and United Airlines follow? Delta Air Lines Extends Elite Status For All SkyMiles Members Yesterday, Delta became the...
Elite Status Extensions Likely, But Not Now
Airlines extended status when no one was flying. They’ve been mum as routes have re-opened but status is likely to be extended just not now. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...