Chasing Elite Status: The Upgraded Points Team’s End of Year 2025 Update

Whether it’s up in the air or on the ground at a hotel, our team members start each year with various elite status goals.

Are they going for the top? Something in the middle? Don’t care?

Now that the year has come to a close, here’s how we fared with our elite status goals in 2025.

Ryan Smith, News Managing Editor

I met all of my elite status goals this year — including time to spare with Marriott but right down to the wire with Hyatt. I didn’t chase any airline elite status this year, as usual, and I let my Hilton Diamond status lapse, sticking with the complimentary Gold status I can enroll in from my American Express Platinum Card^® for Schwab.

Thus, I had 3 elite status goals in 2025 and met all of them.

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

I reached 75 elite night credits in November, retaining Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite, and finished the year with 77 elite nights. Those extra nights count toward my lifetime total, helping me move closer to Lifetime Platinum Elite, which I expect to reach in about 2 years.

United MileagePlus — Premier Silver

Titanium Elite with Marriott Bonvoy gives me the only airline elite status I consistently hold: United Premier Silver. I don’t actively pursue it, but I’m happy to receive it as a byproduct of Marriott loyalty. Preferred seating and free checked bags on United are useful perks from the partnership.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

I requalified for Globalist with 0 nights to spare, earning my final night in the last week of the year. Still, I hit the 60-night requirement, which was what mattered.

Globalist benefits remain outstanding, including waived resort fees on cash and award stays, Milestone Rewards, suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more.

Lori Zaino, Senior Content Contributor

My elite status goals were different this year. Rather than pursuing top-tier status with a single program, I opted for low- to mid-level status across several airlines and hotel brands. It’s a credit card–heavy strategy, and so far, I’m thrilled with how it’s worked — with high hopes for 2026.

Hotel Elite Status: 6 Brands

With trips planned across 2025 and 2026, I didn’t want to limit myself to a single hotel brand. I used credit cards and status matches to build flexibility.

• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, a benefit of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, a benefit of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card
• World of Hyatt Hyatt Discoverist status, a benefit of The World of Hyatt Credit Card
• Hilton Honors Silver status, a benefit of the $0-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (rates & fees)
• Wyndham Rewards Diamond status, thanks to a random promotion I spotted on social media from Journey on Points
• I Prefer Titanium status thanks to a status match (I just emailed them with screenshots of my elite status with other brands, and they matched it)

Hot Tip:

Explore our guides to status match programs for hotels, airlines, and rental car loyalty programs.

I’ve already benefited from room upgrades and perks in 2025, and I have stays planned in 2026 with Hyatt, Iberostar (IHG), Holiday Inn (IHG), Kimpton (IHG), Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Conrad (Hilton), and Marriott. Because I live in Europe and spend most of my time outside the U.S., elite members are less common, which often results in especially generous treatment — even with lower-tier status — in places like the Canary Islands, Montenegro, and Malaysia.

I pay $448 annually in credit card fees for these benefits, but between free nights, meals, and upgrades, those fees have already more than paid for themselves.

Onewold — Ruby

I’ll likely lose American Airlines AAdvantage Gold at the end of 2025, as I prioritized transferable points over paid AA tickets this year.

That said, I’ll still hold Oneworld Ruby through Qatar Airways Privilege Club Silver (via the Qatar Airways Privilege Club Visa Signature Credit Card in its first year) and Iberia Plata status, earned through spending €9,000 annually (~$10,500) on a Spain-only Iberia Visa. Since both map to Oneworld Ruby, losing AAdvantage Gold isn’t a major concern.

I also carry cards that cover most AA benefits I need, including a free checked bag from the AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^® (closed to new applicants) and lounge access, transfer options, and AA lounge passes from the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card.

Christine Krzyszton, Senior Finance Contributor

American Airlines AAdvantage — Executive Platinum

American Airlines AAdvantage was my primary focus in 2025. I highly value systemwide upgrades, which allow economy tickets to clear into business class. I requalified for Executive Platinum through flying and will earn 250,000 Loyalty Points by February, giving me 6 systemwide upgrades to use in 2026.

Marriott Bonvoy — Titanium Elite

Despite holding lifetime Platinum Elite, I use the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card and Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card to earn 30 elite nights annually. I enjoy staying at AC Hotels in Europe, which are affordable and easy for earning nights — especially with the fifth night free on awards. My highlight this year was 5 nights at AC Hotel La Linea in Spain for 36,000 points.

Additional Airline and Hotel Elite Statuses

I have lifetime Diamond Medallion status with Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, earned after reaching 3 million flown miles, and Premier Silver status with United Airlines MileagePlus as a result of reaching Titanium status with Marriott Bonvoy.

I also receive Hilton Honors Diamond from my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, World of Hyatt Discoverist via AAdvantage Executive Platinum, and Choice Privileges Platinum Elite from the Choice Privileges^® Select Mastercard^® — particularly useful for Nordic stays.

Bottom Line:

I’ve found great value in reciprocal status and the complimentary status that comes with holding the right credit cards.

Katie Corrigan Seemann, Travel Partnerships Manager

This was a strange year for elite status. I missed some goals but picked up others I wasn’t expecting.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum

I’ve held Platinum Pro for years but didn’t fly enough paid AA tickets in 2025. I’m just short of Platinum, which I should reach via AAdvantage eShopping and spending on my Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®. I’ll miss Group 2 boarding but still enjoy Main Cabin Extra seats at booking.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Silver Medallion

I matched from AA Platinum Pro to Delta Platinum earlier this year but didn’t meet the requirements to keep it. I secured Silver Medallion through 2026 after a bit of spend on my Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card.

Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards —- Silver

Alaska Airlines status wasn’t planned, but Atmos Rewards changed that. A round-trip Condor award to Thailand earned nearly enough points for Silver — I love that you can earn status points on partner airline award bookings — and combined with Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite^® card spend, I secured the status quickly.

World of Hyatt — Explorist

I finished the year 2 nights short of Explorist. While the status itself isn’t exciting, I chose to spend $5,000 on the World of Hyatt card to reach 30 nights and earn a Category 1–4 free night certificate. I’m still undecided if it was worth it — but dropping to Discoverist felt worse.

Additional Hotel Elite Statuses

I also hold Hilton Honors Gold, Leaders Club Sterling, and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite via the Platinum Card^® from American Express (enrollment required), plus IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite through the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®.

Hot Tip:

While I love getting hotel status easily through my credit cards, I’m finding myself less interested in going out of my way to earn it the hard way. One of the reasons is that I have been booking more stays recently through platforms like Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Edit by Chase. Any bookings through those platforms come with elite-like benefits, including free breakfast.

Juan Ruiz, Senior Editor and Content Contributor

My elite strategy didn’t change much in 2025 — by design. I’ve found a repeatable approach that works for my family, and I’m sticking with it into 2026.

World of Hyatt — Globalist

Requalifying for Globalist was my top priority. Between planned stays and World of Hyatt card spending, I crossed 60 nights in October. The card lost its place in my wallet until I start needing it again in 2026.

Globalist remains invaluable for my family of 5. Free breakfast, lounge access, suite upgrades, and the ability to book award nights before points post all deliver real savings and flexibility — especially during peak travel periods.

Globalist continues to be a game-changer for my family. With 3 kids, free breakfast and lounge access save us real money — especially on longer trips. Suite upgrades have been huge, too. The difference between spreading out in a proper living space versus squeezing into a standard room is night and day.

One of my favorite perks is being able to book award nights before the points are actually in my account — a benefit reserved for Globalists. It sounds small, but that flexibility has saved us more than once. It allows me to lock in hard-to-find rooms during peak dates and then transfer the points later, rather than losing the space while I move them around. It’s a big reason Hyatt continues to win my loyalty.

American Airlines AAdvantage — Gold

AAdvantage Gold might be entry-level, but it saved me over $1,000 in 2025. I earned it by selecting Gold as my Hyatt Milestone Reward at 70 nights. Living in South Florida and flying out of Miami (MIA), the preferred seats and Main Cabin Extra access consistently pay off. I’ll use the same approach in 2026.

Additional Hotel Elite Statuses

Beyond Hyatt and American, I rely on built-in status from the Amex Platinum and Hilton Aspire cards, which provide Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Diamond for occasional stays.

Stella Shon, Senior Features Editor

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Gold Medallion

Gold Medallion was the only status I cared about in 2025. With lighter travel, I knew Platinum wasn’t realistic, and I was comfortable with that. I qualified for Gold in October and chose not to spend an extra $2,500 chasing Platinum.

Based in Salt Lake City (SLC), any Delta status helps. While upgrades are unlikely, checked bags, Comfort+ seats, and priority services remain worthwhile.

Bottom Line:

I reached Gold Medallion without overextending myself or spending significantly more than I would have otherwise.

Additional Hotel Elite Statuses

All other statuses come from credit cards, including Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Leaders Club Sterling, and Hilton Diamond. They’re not essential, but they provide flexibility when booking based on price or availability.

Chris Hassan, Social Media and Brand Manager

American Airlines AAdvantage — Platinum Pro

I was targeted for the Instant Status Pass program late last year and received Platinum Pro for 4 months. I was quickly hooked. It’s the sweet spot in AAdvantage, offering strong upgrade potential, lounge access, and 3 free checked bags.

Thanks to long-haul AA flights, card spend, and AA Hotels bookings, I maintained Platinum Pro through 2025. I’m now just 10,000 Loyalty Points short of requalifying for 2026, valid through March 2027. Spoiler: I’m going for it.

Nick Ellis, Senior Editor and Content Contributor

For years, I pursued Delta and Marriott elite status aggressively. That’s changed.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles — Silver Medallion

Post-pandemic, elite ranks are crowded, and perks are diluted. After relocating to Chicago and flying less, chasing Delta status no longer makes sense. I’ve dropped from Platinum to Silver, largely thanks to MQDs from 2 Delta credit cards, both of which I’ll likely downgrade in 2026.

I’m adopting a free-agent approach, choosing flights based on price and schedule rather than loyalty.

Marriott Bonvoy — Platinum Elite

I requalified for Platinum Elite, which I value primarily for breakfast (though frustratingly not available at every brand) and nightly upgrade awards.

Additional Hotel Elite Statuses

I also hold World of Hyatt Discoverist, Leaders Club Sterling, and Hilton Diamond via credit cards.

Keri Stooksbury, Editor-in-Chief

I rarely qualify for elite status organically, but 2025 was a standout year for matches and challenges.

Lufthansa Miles & More — Gold

My ITA Airways Volare Platinum status — received as a benefit of my husband’s Volare Executive Platinum — matched to Lufthansa Miles & More Senator in October 2025 and is valid through February 2027. Star Alliance Gold has been invaluable, especially for United Club access when flying out of my home airport, Houston (IAH).

Qatar Airways Privilege Club — Gold

After my last Qsuite flight, I unexpectedly earned Gold status, granting Oneworld Sapphire. I plan to use those benefits in 2026.

World of Hyatt — Explorist

My husband is finishing an elite trial toward Explorist. We missed a chance to push for Globalist, but upgraded rooms will still be welcome.

Additional Hotel and Airline Statuses

Through matches and promotions, I also hold Radisson VIP, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Gold Elite, and Etihad Guest Gold. Marriott will likely see the most use in 2026.

Daniel Ross, Senior Content Contributor

After years of maintaining top-tier airline status, I’ve shifted my perspective. Loyalty programs increasingly prioritize revenue over rewards, so I’m focusing more on buying premium cabin tickets instead.

This year, I finally gave up on The British Airways Club after 7 years, which meant forgoing my beloved Oneworld status (for now). However, I have enjoyed top-tier status with member airlines of SkyTeam and Star Alliance.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue — Platinum

I requalified for Platinum via a status match, but with my XP year ending in March 2026, I’ll likely drop to Gold. This still includes lounge access and SkyPriority, my most valued perks.

The British Airways Club — Silver

This was my final year with BA Silver. I credited a Qatar Airways business class flight to British Airways Club mainly for the Avios, which I’ll use to fly BA’s new A380 first class in 2026 — and redeem my companion voucher along the way. Once Atmos Rewards starts offering the choice of how to earn status in 2026, I’ll credit all Oneworld flights there.

Lufthansa Miles & More — Senator

A gifted Senator status let me enjoy Star Alliance perks for a year, including a memorable SWISS first class upgrade to São Paulo. I won’t requalify, but it was a great run.

Final Thoughts

Most of us met our elite status goals this year. Some achieved them early, while others counted on stays in the final week of December to cross the finish line.

Conversely, other members of our team realized their travel habits had changed this year and let go of the airline status they’d held for the past few years. Meanwhile, automatic status from credit cards — and the ability to match status from program to program — played an increasingly large role for many people on the Upgraded Points team this year.