Airline Elite Status
The importance of thoughtful consideration to maximize our points and travel hobby may be cliche but cannot be overstated. The elite status levels we choose to pursue is a high priority, perhaps only topped by the types of rewards we choose to earn and redeem. With the new qualification year upon us, I figured it’s a timely opportunity to discuss where I am now with my airline elite status strategy and my plans for the future. I’ll do so through the prism of the three heavyweights in the States – American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air (space) Lines.
American Airlines
I’m wrapping up another year of considerable status with AA, hitting Executive Platinum earlier in 2025. American’s Loyalty Points scheme continues to work on my wife and me, at an increased rate with every qualification year. I’ve reached Executive Platinum each year since AA’s most recent program refresh a few years ago, and my wife reached that same level for the first time. We enjoy the Loyalty Point Rewards angles along the way. I’m continuing to reach higher reward thresholds each year. Frankly, I’m happy AA has sucked me in.
Indeed, for this coming qualification year beginning on 1 Mar, I plan to continue my all-gas-no-breaks approach barring some road hazard I don’t expect. We continue to regularly redeem AA miles, enjoying the reasonable economy rates while domestic upgrades often clear. Occasionally, we directly book into premium at better-than-expected rates to guarantee the cabin, also.
United Airlines
Decades ago, I enjoyed repeatedly reaching Premier Executive 1K back when it was called that. Those four annual systemwide upgrades were sweet. My United status slowly dwindled to Gold and Silver before dying off many years ago. I intermittently fly United now, and I can’t remember the last time I used the airline’s miles on an award flight. Whenever I do search award space, I’m flabbergasted at how high the award rates have climbed.
The reason I haven’t needed to bother with traditional United award flights is I’ve reliably added to my United Travel Bank over the years. That’s primarily due to the myriad airline fee credit benefits from a variety of credit cards I can trigger with such purchases. That may or may not be changing, but I have plenty of time to see how that all plays out. Similar to recent history, I have substantial balance to keep me busy the next five years.
By now, you may be wondering why I’m talking about United Travel Bank rather than status directly. That’s because I replace traditional United status with a similar premium experience by routinely booking domestic first and Polaris business with Travel Bank. I don’t do so at such a frequency and significance where a status match makes sense, but I could potentially pursue such an angle in the future.
Delta Air Lines
Saying I’ve never held any Delta status of significance would be an understatement. Egads – I don’t think I’ve been anything other than “SkyMiles Member” in Delta’s eyes. That’s been fine, because while I’ve flown Delta regularly, I’ve rarely been in methods where status/upgrades would’ve substantially mattered. And similar to the other two, I’ll often just book right into the premium product I want. Plus, compared to AA and UA, I feel like we hear way more often about how meaningless Delta status is. I’m happy to read that perception as reality since I’ll probably never hold Delta status.
My wannabe version of Delta elite status is via Air France KLM Flying Blue. Over a few years, I gradually climbed from zero Flying Blue status to Silver, Gold, and Platinum via the cobranded Bank of America credit card. Along the way, I obtained SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status when I reached Flying Blue Silver and Gold, respectively. SkyTeam status benefits are inferior to the perks from Star Alliance and Oneworld. But I appreciate the bit of extra I’ve gotten along the way – including extra baggage allowance, priority boarding, and other SkyPriority benefits.
Since becoming a Flying Blue Platinum elite last spring, my focus is on staying there. Indeed, it’s relatively easier to maintain Platinum status than the climb to reach it. I’ll keep spending to hit big spend bonuses for more XP, including the new $25k level granted by the refreshed Air France card. I’ll continue booking Delta metal via Flying Blue currency when the later award currency beats the former. The savings are more often and substantial than you may imagine.
Airline Elite Status Strategy – Conclusion
No one airline dominates my small-to-medium-sized regional airport, and my travel is scattered across a variety of carriers. My relationships with the big three domestic carriers vary, but I can reconcile each easily enough.
I also know that I can’t get too comfortable, either. My ability to meet elite status thresholds can and will inevitably change. I’m most intrigued to see how my AA efforts hold up over time.
What’s your 2026 airline elite status strategy with the big three domestic carriers?
