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 may make my standing incomes simpler than ever, however many packages have raised standing necessities, and the sport has gotten tougher and tougher yearly.
However regardless of my complaints, I proceed to pursue each airline and lodge standing. I can not seem to stop the standing hamster wheel. That stated, for some packages, I’ve determined to chop my losses.
I will be capable of requalify for top-tier American Airways AAdvantage standing, and I’ve already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist standing. These two packages 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 conversant in.
I will go into the brand new 12 months with mid-tier Alaska Airways standing as nicely, and I actually like the brand new Atmos Rewards program. I am desirous to see what’s potential with the brand new program, as I’ve continued to make some unbelievable redemptions with the factors.
In 2026, I will 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).
Here is the complete breakdown of the place I’m heading into 2026, and a few methods it may provide help to by yourself standing journey.
American Airways AAdvantage: Government Platinum
I’ve held AAdvantage Government Platinum standing for a number of years now, and it is this system I am most likely most engaged in (apart from World of Hyatt). I am near requalifying for Government Platinum for 2026 already, and I nonetheless have a number of months to attempt to hit a number of of the airline’s new Loyalty Level Rewards milestones.
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When you hit 175,000 Loyalty Factors, you may select from a menu of worthwhile advantages, together with what I might think about the one most precious perk: two systemwide improve certificates.
I am possible to decide on systemwide upgrades once more, however the 25,000 bonus miles and the journey credit are most likely the most effective alternate choices.
I’ve actually loved my standing this 12 months, with a number 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 top quality on American’s three-class A321T.
I used to be additionally capable of rating a number of nice redemptions this 12 months utilizing AAdvantage miles. I booked top quality on Japan Airways for simply 80,000 AAdvantage miles twice!
Associated: How I booked Japan Airways top quality for simply 80K American Airways AAdvantage miles
To this point this 12 months, I’ve earned 197,149 Loyalty Factors. The qualification 12 months runs by means of Feb. 28, so I could possibly hit yet one more reward tier (at 250,000 Loyalty Factors) to assert one in all a slew of AA advantages, comparable to extra systemwide upgrades, bonus miles or a $200-$250 journey credit score.
A part of my technique has been holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Government World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) to make it simpler to rack up Loyalty Factors.
That alone helps me attain my standing objective. 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 turns into the only real 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 desirous to see what occurs to my Silver Aviator card subsequent 12 months.
The knowledge 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
I’ve some unbelievable journeys arising in 2026, together with visits to Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg — and I am unable to 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 Airways Atmos Rewards program. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airways this 12 months. That is expanded the route map and likewise 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 packages merged earlier this 12 months.
Final 12 months, I used Alaska miles to fly on associate Starlux Airways in enterprise 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 number of good use from the companion certificates from my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit score 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 really 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 subsequent 12 months, these with standing might be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights inside North America.
Alaska is now the one main U.S. airline that allows you to earn elite standing from flights based mostly on precise flight miles. Which means 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 a number of optimistic adjustments 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 score Card earn 1 standing level for each $3 spent, as much as a complete of 30,000 standing factors every year 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 score Card earn 1 standing level for each $2 spent on the cardboard, with no spending cap. You may additionally earn 10,000 standing factors every year 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 an excellent chunk of the best way towards top-tier Titanium standing, which requires 100,000 standing factors in 2025 and 135,000 in 2026.
Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes Alaska Atmos Rewards elite standing
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 standing by means of 2025 due to rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (RIP). Final 12 months, I used to be capable of prolong my standing by way of a particular one-time Alternative 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 larger elite standing necessities 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 needed 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 at round 9,600 in Medallion Qualification {Dollars}. This contains 2,500 MQDs only for holding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Specific Card.
The $650 annual price (see charges and costs) for the Delta Reserve is steep, but it surely’s usually 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 approach to standing, however there is no means I can put that a lot spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card. Whereas I nonetheless like the cardboard for all its perks, I am not placing a lot spending on it.
All that stated, I’ve loved my Diamond standing this 12 months. I had International Improve Certificates transfer me from Premium Choose to Delta One on flights to and from Marrakech on the inaugural from Atlanta.
I’ve additionally made nice 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 obtainable for simply 73,000 SkyMiles one-way. I jumped on the alternative to fly in Delta One on the more-than-14-hour flight to Australia.
Associated: A few of the greatest methods to make use of 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 okay for me for 2026.
Regardless of being what I would think about the least worthwhile airline foreign money, SkyMiles stay interesting, and I will maintain my Reserve card for the long run.
Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes Delta Medallion elite standing
Air Canada Aeroplan: Dropping to member
Final 12 months, I added a brand new standing to the combo: I obtained 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 truth, 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 score Card (see charges and costs) from Chase, which at present has a welcome supply 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 proposal to switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Aeroplan and earn a 20% switch bonus (not at present obtainable).
I used to be capable of ebook 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 presents. You may add a stopover on a one-way itinerary for simply 5,000 Aeroplan factors.
Associated: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has grow to be my favourite 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 will get the highest revealed tier standing for 120 days, after which I will 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 also be a lot nearer to my Higher West Aspect 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 standing once more this 12 months.
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World of Hyatt Globalist standing is one in all my absolute favorites. I have been ready to make use of suite upgrades at a number of unbelievable 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 embody 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 selection.
I additionally plan on preserving each my World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and costs) and my World of Hyatt Enterprise Credit score Card (see charges and costs). They’re going to assist me get extra elite nights towards standing every year.
Associated: Which bank card must you use for Hyatt stays?
I need not spend on these playing cards for World of Hyatt factors since you may switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Hyatt. I are inclined to earn a number of Chase Final Rewards factors by way of spending on my Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and costs).
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 private card.
To me, World of Hyatt is probably the most worthwhile 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 purpose to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card every year
Hilton Honors: Diamond without end
Hilton Honors is the best of my standing achievements to achieve. Whereas I solely stayed at a Hilton lodge a number 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 Specific Aspire Card.
Associated: What’s Hilton Honors elite standing value?
The cardboard comes with Hilton Diamond standing for so long as you maintain it. Regardless of “enhancements” and a change to the cardboard’s hefty annual price — it is now $550 (see charges and costs — the cardboard continues to be value preserving.
There are different worthwhile inclusions, comparable to $400 to spend at Hilton resorts yearly (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 evening if 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 may have been greater than $1,100!
I additionally used one in all 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 price credit recurrently. When utilizing the Aspire card to pay, you get $50 in assertion credit for airline purchases as soon as 1 / 4.
Because of this card, I’ve had Hilton Diamond standing since 2020.
Whereas I’ve had some good stays at Hilton properties — together with the beautiful Conrad Bora Bora Nui — over time, I’ve hardly ever been upgraded regardless of my Diamond standing. Nonetheless, the assertion credit alone justify preserving 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.
Up to now, I would been very content material with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing I acquired courtesy of the American Specific Platinum Card®; it offers standing in a number of lodge packages, together with Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).
Associated: Information to Marriott and Hilton elite standing with the Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum
Then got here 2022. When American Specific shocked everybody by saying that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Sensible® American Specific® Card would get Platinum Elite standing for so long as they maintain the cardboard, I jumped on the probability to apply for it. Consequently, 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 Alternative Profit award. I will possible select 5 Nightly Improve Awards, regardless that 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 Version, Ginza; and The London Version.
I used the annual free evening that comes with the Sensible card two years in a row on the Resort President Wilson. I really 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 obtained a collection 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.
Despite the fact that lots of our favourite Marriott Bonvoy properties now value extra factors because of dynamic pricing, I nonetheless discover that Bonvoy factors turn out to be useful.
I will finish the 12 months with 51 Marriott nights. I will not attempt to get the next standing subsequent 12 months, although the thought of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card is intriguing. Annually you maintain the cardboard, you obtain 15 elite evening credit towards the subsequent stage of Marriott Bonvoy elite standing.
At the very least for now, although, I will maintain the private Sensible card open and revel in Platinum Elite standing with out worrying about what number of nights I would like to remain.
Associated: Final-minute methods to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite standing
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 will keep for 2026.
Through the years, I’ve stayed at a number of memorable IHG properties, together with the beautiful 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 maintain IHG Platinum Elite standing just by holding the IHG One Rewards Choose Credit score Card (not open to new candidates).
The cardboard presents a handful of good perks, however better of all, it grants holders Platinum Elite standing and a free evening award value as much as 40,000 factors.
Associated: InterContinental model evolution a part of IHG’s broader luxurious liftoff
I used my free evening award over time at a number of nice properties, together with the Kimpton Armory Resort in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.
The knowledge 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 offered by the cardboard issuer.
The brand new model of the cardboard is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card (see charges and costs), which additionally supplies Platinum Elite standing. It additionally comes with a fourth evening free on award stays and the power so as to add factors to your 40,000-point certificates (these perks aren’t obtainable on the Choose card). The annual price is $99.
I will maintain 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 will take pleasure in some nice redemptions within the not-too-distant future — although I haven’t got any IHG stays deliberate to date in 2026.
Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes IHG One Rewards elite standing
Backside line
I’ve toyed with the thought of going totally free agent and stopping my pursuit of standing. However I can not seem to pressure myself to get off the standing hamster wheel.
Whereas I did surrender Delta Diamond Medallion standing, a busier-than-ever journey 12 months simply earned me top-tier standing in my two high packages: American Airways AAdvantage and World of Hyatt.
I will 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 nicely.
Should you’re contemplating going for standing, it is best to actually do the maths to see if the additional prices are value the advantages you get. It is tougher to earn standing nowadays, and the advantages maintain 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 offers you a number of the perks of standing, like free checked luggage and precedence boarding.
At the very least give it some thought. I am undecided I am the most effective at following my very own recommendation.
Associated studying:
For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
