Chasing Elite Status: The Upgraded Points Team’s End of Year 2024 Update

There’s no denying that elite status is valuable, whether you’re looking for free breakfast or upgrades to business class.

That’s why so many of us here at Upgraded Points chase elite status year after year, even if that means we’re just opening a new credit card. Now that we’re nearing the end of 2024, how are our plans for status going? Let’s take a look.

Carissa Rawson, Senior Content Contributor

I’ve spent a lot of the past few years chasing elite status, and this year is no different. However, rather than scattering my efforts across a lot of programs, I’ve chosen to distill my efforts into the programs that I find most valuable. While this means I have fewer statuses, I keep my options pretty broad, thanks to credit card elite status and strategic bookings with airlines and hotels.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

I first earned World of Hyatt Globalist status in 2021, and now I’ll never give it up. There are a lot of stupid things I’m willing to do for Hyatt status, including flying to Las Vegas multiple times to complete stays at the Rio Hotel & Casino, which recently joined the World of Hyatt program.

I actually ended up with more nights than expected at Hyatt, thanks to gifting some Guest of Honor (GOH) certificates and a few unplanned stays. Because of this, I’ll be at 68 nights when the year ends. I’m considering adding in 2 extra nights just to get that extra Suite Upgrade Award (SUA) for hitting 70 nights in Milestone Rewards, but we’ll see.

Hilton Honors — Diamond

Thanks to Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*, I have complimentary Diamond status as long as I hold the card. This means I’ll never need to hit a minimum night threshold with Hilton hotels, but I still get to enjoy the benefits of being an elite member.

Since I spend roughly 14 nights a year at Hilton hotels, this makes the $550 annual fee worth it for me (rates & fees).

*The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Marriott Bonvoy — Platinum Elite

I’ve had Marriott Bonvoy Gold status for years now, thanks to enrolling for this benefit with The Platinum Card^® from American Express, but my sister recently became an employee. While I hadn’t originally planned on going for higher-end Platinum status, I gave in once I realized I had booked 12 nights at Marriott hotels in the next few months.

Because of this, I chose to upgrade my old Marriott Bonvoy American Express^® Card to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.

Was this the smartest move? Maybe not, since it means I didn’t get to score the bonus that comes with opening a new card. But I’m already maxed out on the number of cards I can have from American Express, and I value the benefits I get as a cardholder, so it’s worth it.

IHG One Rewards — Platinum Elite/Ambassador

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card gives me Platinum Elite status, but that doesn’t provide many benefits.

Instead, I always spend the $200 to get Ambassador status, which gives me much better benefits for the few nights a year I stay at an InterContinental hotel. This is because the upgrades you’ll get as an Ambassador member far outstrip that $200 cost.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum Pro

I matched to American Airlines elite status last year, thanks to my now-defunct United Airlines status. While I didn’t maintain Executive Platinum status, I did manage to earn enough Loyalty Points to keep Platinum Pro status. This was done mostly through AAdvantage Hotels stays and SimplyMiles purchases, though I did have a few flights for which I paid cash.

I don’t love having AA status, especially since none of my upgrades have cleared (unless I’m flying Alaska Airlines). Although I’ve earned enough Loyalty Points to keep my status through March 2026, I plan on matching back to United elite status, which I far prefer.

Chris Hassan, Social Media and Brand Manager

Due to a relatively slow year in travel for my family, I had resigned myself to not hitting or chasing any airline or hotel elite statuses this year. 

Hilton Honors — Diamond

I have Hilton Diamond status, thanks to my Hilton Aspire card. I will maintain this, but I planned on losing Hyatt Globalist status and American Airlines Platinum status because I couldn’t justify going out of my way for the extra benefits … until some promotions popped up! 

American Airlines — Platinum Pro

About halfway through the year, American Airlines and Hyatt announced some interesting elite status fast-track challenges. Since I had Hyatt Globalist status, I was able to match to American Airlines Platinum Pro status on a 90-day Instant Status Pass.

I really like Platinum Pro status because it gets me 3 checked bags for free (huge when traveling with family) and grants access to Flagship and OneWorld Emerald lounges.

Those 2 perks will keep me engaged in the program, because I will need 42,000 Loyalty Points to extend my status for another 90 days. Between the AA eShopping Portal, SimplyMiles, credit card spending, and travel, that should be easily attainable. 

World of Hyatt — Globalist

After once giving up on Globalist status, this new promotion dragged me right back in. With my new Platinum Pro status, I was able to register for a Hyatt Trial Tier offer which grants Globalist status until 2026 if I stay 20 nights within 90 days of registering. After running the numbers, I realized that it could easily make sense — especially compared to the 60 nights normally needed. 

So, after planning on having no status with AA and Hyatt, it is looking like I will have Platinum Pro and Globalist status, thanks to stacking a couple of promotions. Not too shabby! 

Christine Krzyszton, Senior Finance Contributor

As I was granted lifetime Delta Diamond status for achieving 3 million miles, I no longer need to work on SkyTeam status. This goes well with my efforts for the trifecta of top-tier status with each of the biggest airline alliances. In the meantime, I am also working on achieving hotel status and using the perks of being a top-tier Delta member.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Diamond Medallion

I am working on using my Global Upgrade Certificates (GUCs). In April, I secured a round-trip Delta flight to Auckland, New Zealand, to use 2 of the 4 upgrades on the A350 for a grand lie-flat experience. I did the same thing again for New Zealand in December since it’s the greatest use of upgrade certificates.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Executive Platinum

I’ve already achieved Advantage Executive Platinum this year.

In addition to flying and spending on my Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®, I’ve been using the AAdvantage Hotels platform for my non-chain hotel stays to earn Loyalty Points toward status.

United Airlines MileagePlus — Premier Gold

I wasn’t planning on chasing status with United, as I receive complimentary Silver Premier Elite status with my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status.

However, I enjoyed having access to the Air New Zealand and SAS airport lounges these past few months because of reaching United Premier Gold status last year. While I had decided to strive for Gold again this year, I ended up falling short. I’ll be United Silver next year, which is enough for some benefits but not lounge access.

Hilton Honors — Diamond

I have Hilton Honors Diamond elite status with my Hilton Aspire card and love not having to worry about staying a set number of nights each year to enjoy elite status. I also earn a significant number of points on The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card with 5x points on the first $100,000 of eligible spending annually (3x points thereafter). 

I recently combined the Hilton free night certificate (FNC) from my Hilton Aspire card with points to stay at Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands, Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center in Morocco, and Chateau on the Park – Christchurch, a DoubleTree by Hilton, in New Zealand. 

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

I have Titanium Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy. I receive 25 elite night credits each year from my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, plus 15 nights from my Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card. Titanium Elite status requires staying 75 nights annually. So far, I’m at 78 nights for the year, which means I’ve re-qualified for Titanium status.

Hot Tip:

If you’re trying to shortcut your way to elite status, check out our guides on the best credit cards for earning airline elite status and the best credit cards for complimentary hotel elite status.

James Larounis, Senior Content Contributor

You’ll probably notice a theme here. These are all the same statuses I went for in 2023, which means I succeeded last year. I’m pretty settled on which statuses I enjoy and travel often, so it’s easy for me to re-qualify each year.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

Globalist status is my favorite hotel elite status and one I always choose to requalify for. As a frequent traveler, I don’t need to use mattress runs to hit the 60-night threshold. Instead, I use a mix of paid stays and award redemptions to hit my goals and take advantage of the amazing benefits of being a Globalist. That strategy has paid off again, and I’m once again a Globalist for the coming year.

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

I have 2 different Marriott credit cards: the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Business card. Together, they get me 30 elite night credits each year without ever setting foot in a hotel. However, since I’m always on the road, it’s simple enough to earn the 45 extra nights to hit Titanium Elite status each year.

American AAdvantage — Executive Platinum

American Airlines is my chosen airline, and I’ve committed hard. I don’t rely on tricks such as AAdvantage Hotels or SimplyMiles to earn my Loyalty Points. Instead, I do it the old-fashioned way and fly my way directly to Executive Platinum elite status. This is done via both American Airlines flights and flights with Alaska Airlines, thanks to their excellent partnership.

Ryan Smith, News Managing Editor

I met all of my elite status goals this year and did so with plenty of time to spare. Because of that, my remaining trips for the year will help accomplish some side goals, such as earning extra Milestone Rewards and lifetime nights. Interestingly, 1 of my goals was to not retain a certain status I have right now.

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

I reached 75 elite night credits back in September, accomplishing my goal of retaining Marriott Titanium Elite, and that was before a stay in Mexico plus 1 night in a hotel in Brazil. Those extra nights count toward my lifetime nights with Marriott Bonvoy. That will help with progress toward Lifetime Platinum Elite, which I should hit in 2 years. I’m finishing this year with 78 elite nights, though it could be 79 if I hadn’t earned half-night stay credits at the the City Express brand in Mexico.

United MileagePlus — Premier Silver

Getting to the Titanium Elite tier with Marriot also provides the only airline elite status I hold year after year, which is United Premier Silver. I normally don’t strive for this status and am happy to receive it as a valuable byproduct of my Marriott loyalty. However, I stumbled into qualifying for United status anyway this year. In fact, I’ll be 1 or 2 flights away from Gold status at the end of the year, but I’m going to pass. I don’t think the extra perks are worth enough (at least night in my travels) for the effort and cost involved. However, I’m happy to choose preferred seats and get free checked bags when flying with United, thanks to its Marriott partnership.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

I requalified for Globalist status pretty early this year and then left it in the rearview mirror. Thanks to a targeted offer I got this summer for double stay credits (though it had a maximum of 10 extra nights) and some additional travel we booked, I’ll finish the year with 80 nights. I only needed 60 to reach Globalist status, but I’ll get 2 extra Milestone Rewards at 70 and 80 nights, respectively.

With those, I’m choosing 10,000 bonus points at both milestones. I already have a handful of Suite Upgrade Awards, and I don’t personally find any value in the $300 FIND credits as the other option.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum Pro

After originally saying I wasn’t taking this instant status offer, I changed my mind when I booked another American Airlines round-trip ticket and a flight on GOL in Brazil, which partners with AA. Even as I clicked on the button to enroll, I knew that I wouldn’t come close to retaining this status. I’m OK with watching my Platinum Pro status turn into a pumpkin at midnight. I got a few perks along the way and enrolled with a clear understanding that this was temporary.

Stella Shon, Senior Features Editor

Because I took advantage of so many status match programs in 2023, I’ll lose many of these status levels in 2024 for the 2025 benefits year. Here’s what I’ll have loaded up for the new year.

JetBlue TrueBlue — Mosaic 3

My Mosaic 3 elite level, which I got from a status match, will expire right as the clock strikes midnight. I took advantage of my elite perks on several JetBlue flights but didn’t spend enough on The JetBlue Plus Card to retain it beyond December 31, 2024.

Frontier Miles — 100K

Similarly, I will be losing my coveted 100K Frontier status at the end of this year, which I got from status matching. Although there was an application fee of $199, it was well worth the cost for all of the ancillary fees that were effectively waived from having this status.

I flew Frontier Airlines on nearly a dozen short-hop flights within the past year, and I got to sit up front, bring a carry-on bag with no extra fee, and board first.

Although I had a great experience, I didn’t spend enough with the airline to keep my status for 2025.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Platinum Medallion

While I’d assumed that I’d downgrade to Gold status for 2025 because Delta made it much harder to earn elite status, I actually decided to apply for the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card when the issuer offered an elevated welcome bonus offer.

I booked a Delta Vacations package which greatly boosted my balance of MQDs, plus merely carrying the card allows me to get a 2,500 MQD boost, which will launch me to Platinum Medallion status for yet another year.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum

I earned Platinum Pro status through Feb. 28, 2025 with AA’s Instant Status Match. Loyalty Points reset on March 1, 2025, so I’ll have to start from scratch to earn American status next year.

However, I recently moved to Salt Lake City — a Delta hub — so I’m ok with flying AA less in the future.

Hilton Honors — Diamond

This is the easiest top-tier status to qualify for. I love my Hilton Aspire card and will keep it for the foreseeable future, granting me Diamond status at the hotel chain.

World of Hyatt — Discoverist

I’ll be losing my Globalist status on February 28, 2025, which I had initially gotten from a status match promotion from Bilt Rewards last year.

However, I don’t think I’ll miss out too much. I never got a complimentary suite upgrade with my status, but I did enjoy the free breakfast perks. I have many close friends with Globalist status who can gift me Guest of Honor awards if I need them for future Hyatt stays, though I will remain a Hyatt Discoverist with 13 elite night credits under my belt.

Bottom Line:

Many of us are doing our best to earn elite status, though even the most frequently traveled among us rely on credit cards to score top-tier status!

Final Thoughts

We’re at the end of 2024, and we’ve done our best to earn elite status for the coming year. While some of us fell short on a few goals, others surprised themselves with statuses they didn’t expect to earn in 2024, letting them enjoy the perks in 2025!