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...
British Airways Elite Status Extension Is A Hopeful Sign

British Airways is extending the elite status of many Executive Club members for another year. While the status match extension shows that air travel still has a long road to recovery, it also makes it more likely other carriers...
My Airline + Hotel Status Goals For 2021

I enter 2021 with top-tier status on both American Airlines and United Airlines as well as with Hyatt. But where I end 2021 is an open question…and at this point I’m in no rush to make a decision. Elite...
Loyalty Program Elite Status Winners and Losers

While elite status seems inconsequential during the coronavirus crisis, some programs came out on top while others lagged behind. This is the loyalty program elite status winners and losers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
I’m Sitting Pretty On Elite Status For 2021…

Thanks to an unexpected gift from my preferred hotel chain and airline, I don’t have to set foot on another airplane or hotel this year and will still enjoy top-tier status until at least early 2022. After initially resisting...
Airlines: Remember Those Elite Travelers You Didn’t Need?

Airlines ramped up elite status qualifications over the last few years because they had too many elite travelers. But now, they need them more than ever, are they remorseful? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...