Keep an eye on the American-JetBlue partnership, which could also add opportunities for reciprocal elite status benefits and mileage earning in the coming months. JetBlue has also lowered its qualifying points and segments criteria to achieve TrueBlue Mosaic status.
Delta rolled over all 2020 “Medallion Qualifying Miles” (MQMs) to 2021, padding the balance for those looking to earn status for next year. This includes MQMs earned via eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards. It is also giving fliers a further MQM boost (as well as Medallion Qualifying Segments and Dollars needed for qualification) based on their ticket type. Economy class tickets (including basic economy) receive a 50 percent boost in earnings (including on award tickets when you redeem miles, which is rare in the industry) while its Comfort+ and premium cabin tickets get a 75 percent bump in earnings. Delta did not lower its qualification thresholds, but is making it easier to reach them, especially by allowing mileage redemption travel to count toward status.
If you have no travel plans, spending at least $25,000 on a qualifying Delta co-branded credit card, like the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card will waive the MQM requirement required for elite status up to the Platinum Medallion level.
Southwest gave members a free boost in the number of qualifying points and flight segment requirements to earn its elite status or Companion Pass benefit, adding between 15,000 and 25,000 points and 10 to 25 flight segments into members accounts.
United gave MileagePlus members an elite status boost by offering bonus “Premier Qualifying Points” (PQPs) to member accounts at the beginning of the year. PQP earned via co-branded credit cards like the United Explorer Card also count toward Premier 1K status. The airline lowered the thresholds for achieving status through travel this year by requiring fewer PQP and flight segments.
If you currently have status with Air Canada, Aeroplan is extending it to the end of 2022, and if you earn (or requalify for) status by flying in 2021, the status-qualifying miles, segments, and dollars will be rolled over to next year. For many fliers, this will make it easier to get elite status for 2023, too.
Dangling the hotel elite status carrot
It's not just airlines that are offering easier paths to elite status: The biggest hotel brands have also jumped on the bandwagon. World of Hyatt was one of the first to reduce 2022 elite status requirements. The number of nights or base points needed has been slashed in half, and the program counts qualifying nights from the last quarter of 2020 toward this year’s elite status tally.
IHG Rewards lowered its elite status requirements by 25 percent and rolled over elite-qualifying nights from 2020 to this year’s earning qualifications.
Hilton Honors slashed the requirements (nights, stays, or base points) needed to achieve its elite status this year in half. It also rolled over elite qualifying nights from 2020 toward this year’s qualifications, putting status through early 2023 within easier reach.
Marriott Bonvoy also rolled out the red carpet for members by gifting half the required elite night credits needed to achieve status for next year for free. It also lowered the spending threshold for achieving its highest Ambassador Elite status.
Some perks extended, again
Travel brands have also loosened expiration dates or other restrictions on some of their other popular benefits. Achieving elite status thresholds with American Airlines and its partners also means you qualify for new “elite choice rewards,” like systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club passes, or bonus miles, which are attainable to more elite categories this year even at the lower earning thresholds. Last year, American permanently stopped the expiration of mileage balances for members under 21, which is a great perk for families looking to accrue miles.
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April 22, 2021 at 01:01AM
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Airlines and Hotels Are Keeping Loyalty Perks Flexible as Travel Restarts - Condé Nast Traveler
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