Today is the most democratic (small d) day of the year in travel. That’s because it’s January 1, and in many programs everyone’s elite status counters get reset to zero (except for those squirrely foreign programs that have membership years based on the date you joined, and American that has extended the elite earning year by two months).
I have exactly the same number of elite qualifying miles and nights as everyone else today.
Even though elite statuses were largely extended in 2021 and even in a few cases extended again in 2022, most of us are back to zero, only a few programs like Delta and Hilton offered rollover credit. We have to start from scratch. Last year doesn’t matter anymore with regard to qualifying for status next year.
And that always reminds me of a 22 year old post by IndustrialPatent called “Need 75,000 miles for Platinum Elite” a snippet of which is below:
Need 75,000 Miles for Platinum Elite
Questions from an NW Newbie:Can you help me? I need 75,000 Miles in order to achieve Platinum Elite status with Northwest. I want to acquire these miles quickly (by the end of the year) and for as little as possible (no more than $250). I prefer to not to fly, but when I do I want a between seat on America West/British Airways. Thanks!
ITN.net is showing my flight tomorrow as sold out. Can I call NW and ask for a voucher? If so, can I also get a refund for the original ticket? Or will I have to actually fly?
How is Northwest’s World Business Class? Is it better than Southwest’s?
How do I claim PacMan points instead of WorldPerks miles?
If I dial and use 10-10-220 from the in-flight phone, will I save?
Should I ask for a voucher or free ticket if the guy who used the lavatory before me p’d all over the seat and/or didn’t flush? What if he happened to be the pilot?
What’s the address in which I can write NW in order to receive a comp for my FBI: Federal Breast Inspector status?
What kind of alcohol does NW serve in WBC? Will it taste good with my Valium?
When will NW replace their DC-9s, DC-10s and B742s? Will they replace them with planes that have MagicFlush(tm)?
Will Jesse Ventura personally greet me each time I disembark at [Minneapolis]?
Can you help me? I need 75,000 miles in order to achieve MVP Gold 75K status with Alaska. I want to acquire these miles quickly (by the end of January) and for as little as possible (no more than $250). I prefer to not fly, but when I do I want a first class award seat on ANA. Thanks!
I suggest hiring Chinese hackers to hack into AS website and reset your status counter. Wait, did you say your budget was only $250? Forget Chinese hackers in that case, change that to North Koreans. 😀
You’ve posted the same joke every year for a decade. Will you please have some respect for your readers?
Ben Schlappig refuses to post airport meltdowns because they’re exploitative of mental health conditions. Can you resolve to follow his lead in 2025?
@Eileen – first off – Happy New Year! I have been reading Gary’s blog for well over a decade and I specifically look forward to this post for its fun and relevance. Think of it as Gary’s Happy New Years message to all his readers because the message is true. I am constantly amazed that Gary posts multiple times 365 days a year, has another important career, and has a family. I would be honored to meet Gary some day. Cheers to exciting things in the year ahead!
@Eileen, you mentioned that “Ben Schlappig refuses to post airport meltdowns because they’re exploitative of mental health conditions.” First, let me wish you a Happy New Year! Gary Leff’s perspicacity is spot on. Since Ben does not share news about airport-related mental health incidents, you can use the link below to find resources related to mental health conditions near airports to help determine which airports have increased mental health problems and anxiety. You can select from conditions such as depression, suicide, PTSD, trauma, or psychosis. Once you choose a condition, the dashboard will display the information at the state level. If you want to view data at the county level, click the “View County Level” button to the left of the X.
Link to: https://mhanational.org/mhamapping/mha-state-county-data
Back before I got my million miler with AA, I made mileage runs to make my executive platinum runs. It wasn’t unusual to see a few other road warriors in first class who had no luggage, a book, and comfortable clothing on a long mileage round trip ticket with me.
The crew knew we were there for the miles and gave us lots of attention knowing we were the airlines best customers.
Happy New Year’s Day. You’re getting older, not necessarily wiser, but you’re still the same you we always appreciate. Now back to The Jerry Springer Show of the miles and points blogosphere.
Not me, I am starting at about 100,000 SQM with Aeroplan, rollovers are the best
Happy New Year
I am bit newer to the blog but appreciate the annual Easter Egg as well 🙂
Always sad to see the 0s but excited to try and push those numbers up higher than ever! Safe and fun travels this year everyone!
Lame, Gary. You use the same story every year.
This wasn’t displacing another story, it was an additional one, and it’s something I come back to and love each year. YMMV, of course!
At least NW Newbie knows that one “disembarks” from an airplane and does not “deplane” any more that they “plane” (board) or decar or deboat. (actually 1990 might)
I enjoy reading this one annually even though I know everything in it lol. Happy new year Gary!