A debate has been raging in The Factors Man newsroom for the previous few years: Is airline standing value it anymore?
Fewer upgrades, more durable incomes necessities, dynamic pricing and watered-down advantages have many people at TPG deciding the reply is “no.”
This 12 months has been my busiest journey 12 months ever. I ought to find yourself flying almost 200,000 miles. You’d assume that might make my standing incomes simpler than ever, however many applications have raised standing necessities, and the sport has gotten more durable and more durable yearly.
However regardless of my complaints, I proceed to pursue each airline and lodge standing. I can not seem to give up the standing hamster wheel. That mentioned, for some applications, I’ve determined to chop my losses.
I am going to be capable of requalify for top-tier American Airlines AAdvantage standing, and I’ve already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist standing. These two applications will earn the majority of my journey subsequent 12 months — however I simply did a standing match to United MileagePlus, so I am excited to check out a program I am much less acquainted with.
I am going to go into the brand new 12 months with mid-tier Alaska Airways standing as effectively, and I actually like the brand new Atmos Rewards program. I am desperate to see what’s attainable with the brand new program, as I’ve continued to make some unimaginable redemptions with the factors.
In 2026, I am going to proceed to carry Platinum Elite standing in IHG One Rewards, in addition to Hilton Honors Diamond standing, only for carrying bank cards. And this 12 months, for the primary time, I requalified for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite standing organically (I would beforehand earned it from holding a top-end bank card).
This is the complete breakdown of the place I’m heading into 2026, and a few methods it might allow you to by yourself standing journey.
American Airways AAdvantage: Govt Platinum
I’ve held AAdvantage Executive Platinum standing for a number of years now, and it is this system I am in all probability most engaged in (apart from World of Hyatt). I am near requalifying for Govt Platinum for 2026 already, and I nonetheless have a couple of months to attempt to hit a couple of of the airline’s new Loyalty Point Rewards milestones.
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When you hit 175,000 Loyalty Factors, you may select from a menu of invaluable advantages, together with what I might think about the one most respected perk: two systemwide improve certificates.
I am seemingly to decide on systemwide upgrades once more, however the 25,000 bonus miles and the journey credit are in all probability the perfect alternate choices.
I’ve actually loved my standing this 12 months, with a couple of complimentary home upgrades and a few even larger perks.
This 12 months, I have been ready to make use of three systemwide upgrades. I used two for worldwide flights, together with an improve from premium financial system to enterprise class on two American Airways flights to and from London, and one other on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco to New York to improve into firstclass on American’s three-class A321T.
I used to be additionally in a position to rating a number of nice redemptions this 12 months using AAdvantage miles. I booked firstclass on Japan Airways for simply 80,000 AAdvantage miles twice!
Associated: How I booked Japan Airlines first class for just 80K American Airlines AAdvantage miles
Thus far this 12 months, I’ve earned 197,149 Loyalty Points. The qualification 12 months runs by means of Feb. 28, so I could possibly hit yet another reward tier (at 250,000 Loyalty Factors) to say one in every of a slew of AA advantages, similar to extra systemwide upgrades, bonus miles or a $200-$250 journey credit score.
A part of my technique has been holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) to make it simpler to rack up Loyalty Factors.
That alone helps me attain my standing aim. It nets me an additional 20,000 Loyalty Factors — 10,000 bonus Loyalty Factors after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Factors, and one other 10,000 bonus Loyalty Factors after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Factors.
I additionally maintain the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® — however that’s going away after this 12 months, when Citi becomes the sole issuer of all AAdvantage bank cards beginning subsequent 12 months.
Nonetheless, that card has gotten me an additional 5,000 Loyalty Factors, since I’ve spent $20,000 on it this 12 months. I am desperate to see what occurs to my Silver Aviator card subsequent 12 months.
The data for the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
I’ve some unimaginable journeys arising in 2026, together with visits to Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg — and I can not wait to place my standing to the take a look at.
Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards: Gold, however going for Titanium?
I am very excited by the brand new Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards program. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airlines this 12 months. That is expanded the route map and in addition launched some thrilling new advantages that may roll out in 2026.
I managed to do a standing problem with Hawaiian Airways this 12 months earlier than it formally merged with Alaska. That translated to Atmos Rewards Gold when the two programs merged earlier this 12 months.
Final 12 months, I used Alaska miles to fly on associate Starlux Airlines in business class to Taiwan and again, and I did it once more this 12 months.
I additionally booked associate award flights utilizing Alaska miles on Japan Airways in enterprise class and on associate American Airways within the new Dreamliner suite product from Chicago to London.
Alaska’s partnership with American Airways means I can nonetheless fly on Alaska flights, which inherit my top-tier American Airways AAdvantage standing. I additionally nonetheless get a whole lot of good use from the companion certificates from my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card.
With this card, you get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and costs from $23) for every account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or extra on purchases throughout the prior anniversary 12 months. I used mine to take my brother to Hawaii.
I am contemplating going for the next standing with Alaska in 2026. I like that it’s going to now improve top-tier Titanium members (and a companion) to enterprise class on worldwide flights on the day of departure. Sooner or later next year, these with standing will likely be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights inside North America.
Alaska is now the one main U.S. airline that permits you to earn elite standing from flights primarily based on precise flight miles. Meaning you do not have to spend an outrageous sum of money to earn top-tier standing (although you may select to earn standing by way of spending).
Alaska additionally made several positive changes on the status-earning entrance. Alaska Atmos Rewards members now earn factors on award redemptions, and there are additionally new methods to spend towards standing.
Cardholders with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit Card earn 1 standing level for each $3 spent, as much as a complete of 30,000 standing factors annually on certified purchases (although the cap on standing factors goes away in 2026).
However those that, like me, have the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card earn 1 standing level for each $2 spent on the cardboard, with no spending cap. You may additionally earn 10,000 standing factors annually in your account anniversary (beginning in 2026).
I am planning on placing a ton of spending on my Summit card subsequent 12 months, since Atmos Rewards has a partnership with Bilt Rewards that will get you 3 Atmos Rewards factors for each greenback of hire you placed on the cardboard.
That would assist get me a very good chunk of the best way towards top-tier Titanium standing, which requires 100,000 standing factors in 2025 and 135,000 in 2026.
Associated: Last-minute strategies for earning Alaska Atmos Rewards elite status
Delta SkyMiles: Silver Medallion (down from Diamond)
Sadly, my run with Delta Air Strains Diamond Medallion is coming to an finish. I had Delta Medallion status by means of 2025 due to rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (RIP). Final 12 months, I used to be in a position to lengthen my standing by way of a particular one-time Selection Profit that allowed me to take my unused rollover MQMs and switch them into Diamond standing by means of January 2026.
Delta now has a lot higher elite status requirements in its SkyMiles Medallion loyalty program, and I discover the necessities for Diamond standing are simply too excessive, contemplating what you get as a top-tier elite.
If I would wished to reearn standing for 2026, I might have needed to spend a whopping $28,000 on Delta.
My complete spending for 2025 will are available in at round 9,600 in Medallion Qualification {Dollars}. This contains 2,500 MQDs only for holding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
The $650 annual payment (see rates and fees) for the Delta Reserve is steep, nevertheless it’s typically value it for these chasing standing. It is simply not sufficient of a lift to get me even to Gold standing.
The Reserve card does give 1 MQD for each $10 you spend on the cardboard. Technically, you might spend your solution to standing, however there is no approach I can put that a lot spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card. Whereas I nonetheless like the card for all its perks, I am now not placing a lot spending on it.
All that mentioned, I’ve loved my Diamond standing this 12 months. I had Global Upgrade Certificates transfer me from Premium Choose to Delta One on flights to and from Marrakech on the inaugural from Atlanta.
I’ve additionally made great use of SkyMiles. I lucked out with an award from Mexico Metropolis Worldwide Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) after which to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Delta One. There was a short second when the flight was accessible for simply 73,000 SkyMiles one-way. I jumped on the opportunity to fly in Delta One on the more-than-14-hour flight to Australia.
Associated: Some of the best ways to use Delta SkyMiles
However for subsequent 12 months, I am getting off the Delta hamster wheel and bidding a fond farewell to top-tier Delta standing. It is simply getting too wealthy for my blood; Silver is ok for me for 2026.
Regardless of being what I would think about the least invaluable airline forex, SkyMiles stay interesting, and I am going to preserve my Reserve card for the long run.
Associated: Last-minute strategies for earning Delta Medallion elite status
Air Canada Aeroplan: Dropping to member
Final 12 months, I added a brand new standing to the combo: I received Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K standing for signing up for a bank card. Sadly, that standing will expire on the finish of the 12 months.
I have not had many alternatives to fly with Air Canada. In actual fact, I had a bunch of eUpgrade certificates expire.
I have been more and more intrigued by Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, which oftentimes permits bookings as little as 60,000 to 70,000 factors for enterprise class on associate airways (like United).
I signed up for the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) from Chase, which presently has a welcome provide of as much as 100,000 factors: Earn 75,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening and one other 25,000 factors after spending $20,000 within the first 12 months from account opening.
I am now sitting on almost 186,000 factors. I amassed them from that beneficiant welcome bonus and a suggestion to switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Aeroplan and earn a 20% transfer bonus (not presently accessible).
I used to be in a position to guide a business-class flight from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires on Emirates for 56,000 Aeroplan factors. That is a fifth-freedom route and an thrilling journey for this AvGeek who has by no means flown Emirates.
This 12 months, I am contemplating utilizing my factors on one of many airline’s inexpensive stopover affords. You may add a stopover on a one-way itinerary for simply 5,000 Aeroplan factors.
Associated: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has become my favorite Star Alliance loyalty program
United Airways MileagePlus: Premier 1K
My latest standing is United Airways MileagePlus Premier 1K, which I’ll obtain as soon as I full an activating flight within the subsequent three months. I am going to get the highest printed tier standing for 120 days, after which I am going to want to finish some mixture of flying and incomes to maintain the standing for the entire 12 months.
I am excited to expertise an airline I’ve flown little or no with over time. Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) can be a lot nearer to my Higher West Facet condominium than John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) in Queens, so I am thrilled I might need a neater journey to the airport.
World of Hyatt: Globalist
I’ve beloved having top-tier Hyatt status once more this 12 months.
Associated: 6 reasons I love my Bilt Mastercard as a renter in the most expensive city in the US
World of Hyatt Globalist standing is one in every of my absolute favorites. I have been ready to make use of suite upgrades at a number of unimaginable properties this 12 months, together with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Hyatt Regency Cape City in South Africa.
Globalist advantages embrace assured 4 p.m. late checkout, free breakfast and higher improve odds.
This 12 months, I’ve earned top-tier standing organically with stays everywhere in the world. I particularly beloved the Park Hyatt Marrakech, the place I used to be upgraded to a Park Suite as a Globalist.
I’ve already earned a complete of 82 nights at Hyatt inns this 12 months. I could attempt to hit 90 nights in 2025, so I can earn one other Milestone Rewards choice.
I additionally plan on conserving each my World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) and my World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees). They’re going to assist me get extra elite nights towards standing annually.
Associated: Which credit card should you use for Hyatt stays?
I need not spend on these playing cards for World of Hyatt factors since you may transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt. I are inclined to earn a whole lot of Chase Final Rewards factors by way of spending on my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees).
However I’ve been placing Hyatt stays on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card to earn 4 factors per greenback spent at Hyatt inns and resorts. You additionally get two elite nights for each $5,000 you placed on the non-public card.
To me, World of Hyatt is probably the most invaluable lodge loyalty program. I have already got journeys on the books for Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires — and I am excited to see the place else World of Hyatt takes me.
Associated: Why I aim to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit Card each year
Hilton Honors: Diamond endlessly
Hilton Honors is the best of my standing achievements to achieve. Whereas I solely stayed at a Hilton lodge a couple of instances this 12 months, I nonetheless maintain this system’s highest standing stage: Diamond. How did I handle that? It is a perk of holding Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Associated: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
The cardboard comes with Hilton Diamond status for so long as you maintain it. Regardless of “enhancements” and a change to the cardboard’s hefty annual payment — it is now $550 (see rates and fees — the cardboard continues to be value conserving.
There are different invaluable inclusions, similar to $400 to spend at Hilton resorts every year (a $200 assertion credit score from January to June and one other $200 assertion credit score from July to December), $200 in assertion credit for flight purchases ($50 per quarter) and a free night once you open the account and attain your annual card anniversary.
This 12 months I used my free evening on the stylish Conrad Tokyo on a room that might have been greater than $1,100!
I additionally used one in every of my $200 keep credit on the Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa in Morocco, and the opposite at Resorts World Las Vegas. In previous years, I’ve additionally used it at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Seashore Resort in Hawaii.
I additionally use the airline payment credit usually. When utilizing the Aspire card to pay, you get $50 in assertion credit for airline purchases as soon as 1 / 4.
Due to this card, I’ve had Hilton Diamond standing since 2020.
Whereas I’ve had some nice stays at Hilton properties — together with the gorgeous Conrad Bora Bora Nui — over time, I’ve not often been upgraded regardless of my Diamond standing. Nonetheless, the assertion credit alone justify conserving the Aspire card and my Diamond standing for 2026, even when I haven’t got as a lot luck getting upgrades with Hilton as I do with Hyatt.
Marriott Bonvoy: Platinum Elite
For the primary time this 12 months, I earned Platinum Elite standing with Marriott organically with 51 nights in 2025.
Previously, I would been very content material with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing I obtained courtesy of the American Express Platinum Card®; it provides standing in a number of lodge applications, together with Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
Associated: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
Then got here 2022. When American Specific stunned everybody by asserting that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card would get Platinum Elite status for so long as they maintain the cardboard, I jumped on the probability to apply for it. Because of this, I’ve held Platinum Elite standing since then. That is the primary 12 months I’ve stayed at sufficient inns to earn it outright.
I’ve spent greater than two dozen nights at Marriott properties this 12 months, and having Platinum Elite standing definitely enhanced my journeys.
For the primary time, I’ve earned an Annual Selection Profit award. I am going to seemingly select 5 Nightly Improve Awards, though I’ve heard they’re exhausting to make use of.
Over the previous a number of years, I’ve had nice stays at Marriott properties, together with on the Ritz-Carlton in Perth, Australia; the Sheraton Lake Como Resort in Italy; The Tokyo Edition, Ginza; and The London Edition.
I used the annual free evening that comes with the Sensible card two years in a row on the Resort President Wilson. I like the lakefront location.
This 12 months, I used it for London’s Bankside Resort, which I raved about in a story for TPG.
Having Platinum Elite standing made these stays higher: I loved advantages like assured late checkout, lounge entry and complimentary breakfast. I as soon as even received a set improve whereas staying at Le Meridien N’Fis in Morocco.
Free lounge entry comes with Platinum standing, and I took benefit of that perk throughout a previous 12 months’s keep on the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Resort in Canada.
Though a lot of our favorite Marriott Bonvoy properties now cost more points due to dynamic pricing, I nonetheless discover that Bonvoy factors come in useful.
I am going to finish the 12 months with 51 Marriott nights. I will not attempt to get the next standing subsequent 12 months, although the concept of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is intriguing. Annually you maintain the cardboard, you obtain 15 elite evening credit towards the following stage of Marriott Bonvoy elite standing.
At the least for now, although, I am going to preserve the non-public Sensible card open and revel in Platinum Elite standing with out worrying about what number of nights I want to remain.
Associated: Last-minute strategies to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite status
IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite by way of bank card
Like my different lodge statuses, I’ve Platinum Elite standing with IHG One Rewards by advantage of holding its hotel-branded card. That is the place I am going to keep for 2026.
Through the years, I’ve stayed at a number of memorable IHG properties, together with the gorgeous Six Senses Shaharut and the InterContinental David Tel Aviv.
This 12 months, I frolicked on the Kimpton Fitzroy in London, the InterContinental Porto in Portugal, the Kimpton Overland Resort in Atlanta and the InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia (which I wrote about for TPG).
Regardless of solely staying seven nights at IHG inns in 2025, I’ll preserve IHG Platinum Elite standing just by holding the IHG One Rewards Choose Credit score Card (now not open to new candidates).
The cardboard affords a handful of good perks, however better of all, it grants holders Platinum Elite standing and a free night award value as much as 40,000 factors.
Associated: InterContinental brand evolution part of IHG’s broader luxury liftoff
I used my free evening award over time at a number of nice properties, together with the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.
The data for the IHG One Rewards Choose card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
The brand new model of the cardboard is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees), which additionally supplies Platinum Elite standing. It additionally comes with a fourth night free on award stays and the flexibility so as to add factors to your 40,000-point certificates (these perks aren’t accessible on the Choose card). The annual payment is $99.
I am going to preserve my IHG card for standing (and a free evening) once more subsequent 12 months. I am additionally sitting on a pleasant stash of factors, so odds are I am going to get pleasure from some nice redemptions within the not-too-distant future — although I haven’t got any IHG stays deliberate up to now in 2026.
Associated: Last-minute strategies for earning IHG One Rewards elite status
Backside line
I’ve toyed with the concept of going fully free agent and stopping my pursuit of status. However I can not seem to drive myself to get off the standing hamster wheel.
Whereas I did hand over Delta Diamond Medallion standing, a busier-than-ever journey 12 months simply earned me top-tier standing in my two prime applications: American Airways AAdvantage and World of Hyatt.
I am going to have top-tier standing with American, Hyatt and Hilton once more subsequent 12 months. I am excited to make use of a few of my perks in 2026, and I’ll report again on my 2027 plans subsequent 12 months. A standing problem with United has opened some intriguing prospects, and a shift to Alaska could occur in 2026 as effectively.
If you happen to’re contemplating going for standing, you need to actually do the mathematics to see if the additional prices are value the advantages you get. It is more durable to earn standing nowadays, and the advantages preserve getting whittled down. Do not do it until you recognize you’ll use the perks and that you are able to do it with out spending a small fortune you would not in any other case spend.
It may be more cost effective to simply get a bank card that routinely provides you a number of the perks of standing, like free checked luggage and precedence boarding.
At the least give it some thought. I am unsure I am the perfect at following my very own recommendation.
Associated studying:
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on here.
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