Airline and hotel elite status extensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are expiring this year, and the companies are raising the requirements to earn status.
A tsunami of downgrades will wipe out some travelers’ elite status because pandemic-era offers are expiring and loyalty programs are upping the qualification requirements.
Major hotels, including Marriott and IHG, promised to extend elite status through February 2023, meaning automatic extensions are at their end.
For example, Delta Air Lines had to implement new policies to reduce crowds at its Sky Club lounges, including raising membership dues for elites.
Meanwhile, travelers face fiercer competition for seat or hotel room upgrades.
For example, JetBlue now doles out “Perks You Pick” rewards, consisting of small goodies like early boarding once you’ve spent $1,000 .
In 2023, it’ll start doling out lavish rewards like high-end electronics from Bang & Olufsen for earnings up to 5 million points — well past the old rewards ceiling of just 200,000 points.
Ross-Smith recommends looking for promotions to help retain status.
For people who travel less now, hotel and airline-branded credit cards can help, as some offer automatic elite status as a benefit.
For example, NerdWallet estimates it would require on average $5,840 to earn Hilton Honors Gold status through the conventional route of paid nightly stays at Hilton hotels.