Stack These Marriott Promotions to Get Easy Status

With a new year comes new opportunities. There will always be the opportunity to earn new points, but today we want to share some new (and some soon to be gone) updates to the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Most of these changes relate to your ability to earn status. Marriott status can be worthwhile if you find yourself staying in Marriott properties often.

If you’re like me, Marriott elite status doesn’t start to be worth it until you’ve earned Platinum Elite. That’s when you’ll get free breakfast and are eligible for suite upgrades.

LAST CALL: JetBlue Status Match & Status Challenge

Today's your last chance to register for JetBlue's Mosaic status match and/or status challenge and so I'm bumping this post to the top of the blog! 

Do you have status with Virgin America, Alaska, American, Delta, Southwest, or United?

How to Qualify or Re-Qualify for Delta Status by December 31

Each day we edge closer to the end of the year, which is significant if earning elite status is on your radar. You've got just under two months to meet elite qualifying requirements if you want status in 2017.

And the American Express Delta credit cards have limited time, enhanced sign up offers that end day after tomorrow--November 9.

Virgin America Will Match Your Elite Status until 2017

For a 90 trial period, Virgin America will match the status you have with either JetBlue, United, Delta, Southwest, or American Airlines to either Elevate Gold or Silver. The offer is valid until 11.59 PM PT September 30, 2016.

Negative Changes to 2016 American Airlines Status Announced

Today American Airlines announced mostly negative changes for earning status in 2016 for 2017. (It also announced negative changes to earning award miles on paid flights and to its award chart.) The five big changes to status earning:
1. No More Elite Qualifying Points
There used to be three ways to earn status: elite qualifying points (EQP), elite qualifying miles (EQM), segments. In 2016, there will be two, with EQP getting the axe.

The number of elite qualifying miles and segments needed to qualify have not changed.
2.

Transfer Bonus and Virgin America Gold Status from AMEX

Transfer 80,000 American Express Membership Rewards to 40,000 Virgin America Elevate points by December 31, 2015 and receive top tier Virgin America Gold Status through February 2017.

In addition, if you complete the transfer by October 8, 2015, you will get 25% more Elevate points, so 80,000 Membership Rewards would equal Gold Status plus 50,000 Virgin America points.

Good Deal?
I value Membership Rewards at 2 cents each. I value Virgin America points at 2 cents each.

Earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles with the American Airlines Executive Card

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 50,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months. American Airlines miles are the best for super-cheap economy redemptions and ultra-luxury redemptions.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® also offers Admirals Club lounge membership, meaning you can access over 90 American Airlines Clubs in airports around the world whenever you’re flying–even if you’re not flying on American. Plus you can bring in any two guests for free OR your spouse and all children under 18 for free on each visit.

Free First Class 2014: Should You Chase Status

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This is the twenty-fifth post in a monthlong series that started here. Each post will take about two minutes to read and may include an action item that takes the reader another two minutes to complete.

United MileagePlus Earning Will Be Revenue-Based in 2015

Starting March 1, 2015, you will earn award miles on United tickets according to the cost of the ticket instead of the distance flown.

Delta announced a nearly identical move a few months ago, and at the time my headline included "The Sky is Not Falling."

The sky is still not falling. For everyone except United elites, these changes will have very little impact.

We Invite You to Experience Gold Status Emails

A friend of mine was offered free Gold Status on American Airlines by email.

How did he get so lucky? Can you repeat it?

My friend has flown 3,500 paid miles over nine segments on American this year. But with his free instant Gold status, he'll have the same status as folks who have flown 25,000 miles this year on American.

His new status will last for about four months.