Elite status at airlines, hotels, cruise lines, car rental agencies, and now credit cards all play a factor in how we travel. Here’s how I am faring for 2026 at the midway point.
Elite Status Purpose, Needs, And Wants
Chasing a shiny tag is hardly the purpose of elite status – in fact, this year I didn’t even put mine on my bags. Elite status benefits go beyond priority boarding, a free checked bag, and priority seats offered at various metallic levels (gold status) as travelers climb the ranks and increase in value. But it’s how those exclusive benefits are used that matter. Points are personal, what they are worth to you and how you use reward programs will differ from others so it’s always about the relative value to you personally as you chase and earn elite status.
For me, I have found most systemwide upgrades for American Airlines Executive Platinum status to be the most valuable if you can redeem them. However, I have publicly struggled to redeem them for relative value on the flights, and dates I needed so I discount them heavily. More on that shortly. What I value the most in almost any status is service and upgrades. There’s no question that top or near top elites receive better care, flexibility, and land more upgrades across the board. A complimentary upgrade to first class on a two-hour flight is nice, but it won’t change my life. But being able to change to a flight that gets me home three hours earlier can make all the difference.
My motivations are personal, as are yours. Here’s how I have stacked up so far this year and what the future holds. One point of clarity, many programs have moved away from qualifying during the calendar year to a modified period, American Airlines for example runs March 1st to February 28/29th (depending on the year.)
Airline Status
I started the year with (3) airline statuses. Here’s how I am doing on each.
Spirit Gold
The airline is now defunct, but it flew simple nonstop routes that catered to my specific needs that other carriers did not. It served a purpose for me but no more. I had an opportunity to match that status to a number of carriers but chose not to do so.
American Airlines
I achieved Platinum in the first qualifying month of the year and closed the June with a requalification of Executive Platinum status. It’s important to note that I use a business credit card from the brand for my travel agency and in addition to earning miles, I also earn status. That cheat code has me comfortably back on the island for another year.
Last year I chased the 400,000 Loyalty Points level to see how close I could get to qualifying for Concierge Key status in my home market. Ultimately, I do not believe I finished close and won’t likely attempt again.
I was able to use my systemwide upgrades this year and that delivered value for me for the first time in years.
JetBlue
I completed a challenge last year to Mosaic 4, JetBlue’s highest published tier. I’ve done almost nothing with this status. I have four Mint upgrades sitting in my account and the dream was to use them on a one-way to Europe for my family but in practice, I haven’t found the opportunity in which they will all clear on the same flight. This isn’t unique to JetBlue, this challenge exists everywhere. However, as a result I often forget I have this status. I have flown the carrier exactly one time to JFK this year and got a priority seat but in practice JetBlue – as much as I want it to be – is not an option for my flight patterns. I will not re-qualify and I won’t make any attempt to do so.
Hotel Status
Due to various credit cards I hold, I retain Hilton Gold, and Marriott Gold elite levels. I don’t expect much from these but I occasionally get a free breakfast and continue to log minimal activity throughout the year as appropriate. I am not seeking greater status with either of these though I have satisfied one of the two requirements for Hilton’s lifetime Diamond status; at my current pace I will likely achieve it on my last trip before I leave this mortal coil.
At IHG, I hold Diamond status but have just one stay at the brand this year. I had a significant run with IHG some time ago so I may have a carry-over status with them but the chain doesn’t offer lifetime status so I doubt I will have any residual status here. I also have access to IHG Destined through my travel agency so there’s not a need to chase the benefits I can already get included with my rate.
For the World of Hyatt program, I am woefully behind. I have logged just 30% of my re-qualification nights for the year but have enough booked for the second half of the year that I sit just one night away from the exact midpoint for the year. I will have to make up some ground but I have no doubt I will be back as a Globalist in 2027.
Car Rentals
I hold Avis President’s Club due to other statuses I hold, I have never once rented a car from them and have no intention to do so. I had a heavier than anticipated start to the year with National Rental Car, but with no intention to achieve Executive Elite status, the Executive status I retain will be sufficient and I am halfway there at the midyear break. National is the easiest for my travel pattern and I have always been able to secure a reasonable upgrade.
Cruise Lines
I hold status due to a status match with MSC at the Diamond level, one short of Blue Diamond but there are no material differences between the two. But more importantly, I matched my MSC status to Explora Journeys which did have an impact on my experience. At the Platinum level, I receive a daily bag of laundry processed, 5% savings on all of my journeys, and a handful of other onboard benefits.
Credit Cards
Elite status for credit cards? Kind of. Both Chase and American Express (among others) have spend targets to achieve greater benefits both with partners and within their own programs. Last year I crossed the $250,000 mark on my AMEX which affords me a benefit of $1,200 reimbursed for flights. This is something I have actually used and find real value in earning. I am about 65% “re-qualified” for next year.
However, for Chase where I can secure Southwest A-List and IHG Platinum when crossing $75,000 in spend, I value less and will not chase. I already have IHG status as I mentioned above, I am less than halfway to the target and won’t try for it.
The Second Half Of 2026
Because of my business spend I will coast to my American Express target, and I may decide to build a second airline status because American can’t always support my needs. I was hoping it would be JetBlue but in practice that hasn’t worked out. I need to pick up the pace with Hyatt or I will find myself scrambling at the end of the year.
How do you stack up? Are you on pace for this year? Have you switched allegiance to support your current travel needs?
Having a family of five I found American Airlines platinum status to be useful for free economy plus seating on booking. That saved me 100s of dollars through the year if not thousands. Plus priority check in. I don’t need lounges and I don’t want to board first.
I got 400k with AA last year, and I’m pretty sure that’s nowhere near CK status. 1M maybe? It would be interesting to know, but 400K ain’t it.