How to Qualify or Re-Qualify for Delta Status by December 31
November 7, 2016
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
May 17, 2016
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
November 17, 2015
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.
American Express,Virgin America,Status
Transfer Bonus and Virgin America Gold Status from AMEX
September 9, 2015
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
July 30, 2015
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 Next Month,Status
Free First Class 2014: Should You Chase Status
August 20, 2014
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
June 10, 2014
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.
Free First Class Next Month,Status
Free First Class Next Month: Status
March 20, 2013
Hey! You're reading an outdated Free First Class Next Month series. Check out the latest version published in April of 2015 here.
This is the thirtieth 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. I am writing this for an audience of people who know nothing about frequent flier miles, and my goal is that by the end, you know enough to fly for free anywhere you want to go.
Airline Elite Status Isn’t Worth It: An Expansion on Bill’s Piece in the New York Times
March 6, 2013
Greetings, MileValue readers! You may have noticed that I haven't posted recently, as I've been helping out Scott and Tahsir with our increasingly popular Award Booking Service.
I did want to take a few minutes and explain my stance on airline elite status which was featured in today's New York Times. [Scott: Everyone should click just to see Bill's photo. The pose is hilarious.]
“I’ve definitely noticed an erosion in benefits since I became elite,” said Bill Wilkes, a Delta SkyMiles Gold member, the second-lowest rank in Delta’s four tiers of elites.
American Express,Status,Hilton,Virgin Atlantic
Hilton HHonors Promotion: Double Stay Credit
November 26, 2012
According to this blog post and this thread on FlyerTalk, Hilton has just announced their "Any Weekend, Anywhere Sale" where you receive between 15-40% off the best available room rate for weekend stays booked between now and January 31, 2013. Hotels in the Asia-Pacific region have an extended booking deadline of February 14, 2013.
Stays must be completed by December 31, 2013. Eligible weekend stays will also earn double stay credit towards Hilton elite status. With this promotion, you will be able to earn Hilton Silver status with only two weekend stays (a total of four weekend nights).
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