The end of the year sparks a crucial question for frequent travelers: which elite statuses are truly worth pursuing in the year ahead? It’s a time for honest assessment, a strategic pause before diving back into the world of loyalty programs and travel perks.
For those whose programs don’t follow the calendar year – like American Airlines AAdvantage – there’s still time to make a push. But even with months remaining, a thoughtful plan is essential. My own travel lifestyle as a full-time digital nomad shapes my priorities, but the core principles apply to everyone.
American Airlines AAdvantage remains on my radar, though my focus has shifted. Years ago, chasing Executive Platinum was a priority, fueled by the value of miles and top-tier benefits. However, as those differentiating perks have diminished, I now concentrate on AAdvantage Platinum Pro.
Platinum Pro delivers the benefits I value most: Oneworld Emerald status for lounge access, Main Cabin Extra seats when booking with American, and complimentary baggage allowance on Oneworld flights. This level strikes the right balance between effort and reward.
The program’s move to Loyalty Points fundamentally changed my strategy. Earning status is no longer solely about miles from flights. I actively leverage AAdvantage eShopping, SimplyMiles, AAdvantage Hotels, and my American Airlines credit cards to accumulate the necessary points.
This shift also influenced my husband’s approach. He now pursues Oneworld status through a different airline, allowing us to maximize benefits by diversifying our loyalty. We can both achieve Gold or Platinum through American Airlines, but a broader strategy proves more advantageous.
Asiana Club, once a cornerstone of my Star Alliance strategy, is being allowed to lapse. Their qualification system, offering two years to earn and two years to maintain status, was initially beneficial. We achieved Diamond status and enjoyed the perks of Star Alliance Gold.
However, Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana will inevitably merge their loyalty programs, likely shifting us to SkyTeam. Fortunately, we secured Star Alliance Gold status through another airline earlier this year, mitigating the impact of this change.
Turkish Miles&Smiles, surprisingly, has become a key player in my strategy. It began with a six-continents challenge for 1 million miles, and a status match to Turkish Airlines. Completing the challenge earned me Elite status through July 2026, and extending it to 2027 is within reach.
Now, Turkish Miles&Smiles is my primary Star Alliance program, bolstered by over 1 million miles expiring in 2028. As a non-Turkish resident, extending my Elite status requires either 25,000 or 37,500 status miles, a manageable goal given the earning potential.
Marriott Bonvoy is a consistent focus, with a goal of at least Platinum Elite status each year. While Titanium Elite offers additional perks, the difference isn’t substantial enough to justify the extra effort for me.
We prioritize Platinum Elite for the valuable benefits: 4 p.m. late checkout, lounge access where available, and complimentary breakfast at many brands. We strategically allocate elite night credits, leveraging our Marriott Bonvoy cards to accelerate progress.
World of Hyatt, once overlooked, has become a favorite. Initially, the perks didn’t justify the 60-night requirement. However, promotions and pandemic-era adjustments led to Globalist status, and I quickly became a convert.
I now actively pursue Hyatt Globalist, appreciating the program’s stable award charts and valuable perks like waived parking and resort fees, complimentary breakfast, and late checkout. My World of Hyatt Credit Card provides qualifying night credits and additional benefits, streamlining the process.
Beyond these core programs, I maintain Hilton Honors Diamond through my Amex Aspire card, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite via my IHG Premier card, and Wyndham Rewards Diamond through a business card. These partnerships provide effortless status and valuable benefits.
Ultimately, the key is to prioritize strategically. I focus on Hyatt Globalist and AAdvantage Platinum Pro, while ensuring we maintain at least Platinum Elite with Marriott Bonvoy. My husband complements this by focusing on IHG Diamond Elite.
But it’s vital to constantly re-evaluate. Why are you pursuing each status? Are the perks worth the effort? Could another program offer greater value? I shifted away from Asiana when circumstances changed, and I’ll continue to adapt my strategy as needed.
