Chasing Elite Status: The Upgraded Points Team’s Midyear 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 halfway through 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 year 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 the 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’m already at 52 nights for the year and have bookings that’ll get me over the 60-night hump. This includes 6 nights in Cape Town and 3 in Chicago for the Chicago Seminars (at which I’m a speaker!).

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.

*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 — Gold Elite

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is another card that gives me elite status, with complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status upon enrollment. I don’t stay much at Marriott hotels, but now that my sister is an employee and I’m eligible for discounted rates, that may be changing.

Maybe it’s time to try for Platinum status?

IHG One Rewards — Platinum Elite/Ambassador

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card gives me Platinum Elite status, but that doesn’t do an awful lot in terms of 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, though I did have a few flights for which I paid cash.

I haven’t found much value in AA status, but I will complete the challenge and keep my Platinum Pro status, if only so I can use it to match back to United elite status — which I far prefer.

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). Last month, I secured a round-trip Delta flight to Auckland, New Zealand, to use 2 of 4 granted upgrades on the A350 for a grand lie-flat experience. 

American Airlines AAdvantage — Executive Platinum

I plan to make AAdvantage Executive Platinum this year. I achieved it last year and have about 70,000 LPs toward the 200,000 I’ll need to qualify for 2025 status. Since I have until the end of February 2025, I still have plenty of time to make it. 

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 making United Premier Gold status last year. I have decided to strive for Gold again this year. With around $2,000 in PQP, and needing $8,000 by year-end, I have a bit of a hill to climb. 

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 my The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card with 5x on every purchase up to $100,000 yearly (3x points thereafter). 

I recently used my Hilton free night certificate (FNC) from my Hilton Aspire card and 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^® American Express^® Card, plus 15 nights from my Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card. Titanium Elite status requires staying 75 nights annually. I have 58 nights toward the 75 and will achieve that before year’s end, making this a shoo-in for 2025’s 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 more than halfway through 2024 and plan on pursuing the same statuses using my tried-and-true strategies.

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.

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 makes it simple to earn the 45 extra nights to hit Titanium Elite status.

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, Senior Editor and Content Contributor

Hilton Honors — Gold

I finally got downgraded from Hilton Diamond to Gold, and I’m ok with that. I haven’t stayed with Hilton much lately, and if I want the status again, I know I can easily get it with the Hilton Aspire card.

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

With Marriott, I already have 68 elite night credits after aligning my trips earlier this year with the promotion for double elite night credits. Plus, I started the year with 30 elite nights from credit cards. After additional stays in places like Tibet, Mexico, and Belize, I should finish this year with 76 elite nights.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

With Hyatt, I have 47 nights so far, and my wife and I just returned from a trip to China, where I gained 8 nights. I also have stays planned later this year in Chicago, San Antonio, and Belize that will push me over the finish line to Globalist. 

Gifting some Guest of Honor awards and a targeted promotion for double elite nights that came by email will push me even further, qualifying for additional Milestone Rewards while picking up nights for a Brand Explorer award as well.

United MileagePlus — Silver

This is the only airline status I hold (or have ever held), as I don’t pursue airline elite status. However, I do enjoy its perks. I receive United Silver status each year as a benefit of my Marriott Titanium Elite status, and I’m happy to choose preferred seats and get free checked bags when flying with United, thanks to its Marriott partnership.

Stella Shon, News Managing Editor

Last year, I took advantage of many status match opportunities. The question remains: Am I meeting the required metrics to keep elite status for the rest of 2024 and beyond?

JetBlue True Blue — Mosaic 3

I have Mosaic 3 for the remainder of 2024 from a status match promotion. I already used the Move to Mint certificates to upgrade flights to London for my friend and me.

Even with The JetBlue Plus Card in my wallet, I don’t spend or fly the airline nearly enough to keep retaining Mosaic status, which is now earned on a tile-based system.

Frontier Miles — 100K

I was curious to see what it’s like to have elite status with a low-cost carrier, so I jumped on the opportunity to status match my Delta SkyMiles Platinum status to Frontier 100K. There was an application fee cost of $199, but I do have this elite status for the rest of 2024.

I’m surprised to say this was the status I enjoyed the most out of all the ones in the bunch. I enjoyed free extra legroom seats, free carry-on bags, and checked bags (which is what plagues budget carriers the most!), as well as priority boarding.

I took several short-haul flights, including Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Miami (MIA) and Orlando (MCO), Las Vegas (LAS) to Phoenix (PHX), and more, and having Frontier’s elite status helped me save well over the application fee cost.

Not to mention, having this elite status made flying Frontier feel more like a mainline carrier, but again, I am not going to meet the requirements to requalify for 2025. It was fun while it lasted!

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Platinum

Delta’s Medallion program changes announced last year make it much harder to get Delta elite status. At best, I’ll qualify for Gold Medallion status for 2025 unless I’m able to pick up more flights with the airline for the remainder of the year.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum Pro

This is the only elite status that I plan on keeping beyond 2024, and I was able to take advantage of a status match promotion to get American Airlines Platinum Pro.

I’ve gotten a decent amount of upgrades and love picking the exit row seats for free on domestic flights. I’m on track to requalify for 2025 with credit card spend on the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card.

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 — Globalist

Last year, Bilt Rewards offered a status promotion to World of Hyatt Globalist status, which I have until the end of 2024.

The most valuable benefits for me have been the free breakfast and late checkout — sadly, I can’t report getting any suite upgrades in 2024 so far.

I don’t plan on requalifying for Hyatt status, as I have many close friends with Globalist who can gift me Guest of Honor awards, but I can see the hype after having this status on my own.

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 midyear point and are busy making sure we’ll qualify for both airline and hotel elite status. Check back in with us at the end of the year to see how we did!