Tag Archives for elite status.
American Airlines has introduced a new AAdvantage Pass bundle that packages 100,000 miles, Gold status, and 15,000 Loyalty Points — and then slaps a $5,000 price tag on it. The idea of selling bundled status and miles makes sense, but this execution doesn’t:
Delta isn’t raising SkyMiles status requirements for 2026, but it is reshuffling the Choice Benefits that Platinum and Diamond members can select. Three options improve, while the American Express statement credit quietly drops in value — a detail Delta doesn’t call out in its announcement.
Hilton is rolling out a major Honors overhaul in 2026, and I can confirm the key changes: a new Diamond Reserve tier with confirmed upgrades and guaranteed late checkout, lower requirements for Gold and Diamond, and the end of rollover nights.
Marriott has finally confirmed its long-unwritten rule: members who fall short of requalifying for elite status won’t lose it all. Instead, they’ll be dropped just one level — formalizing a “soft landing” policy the chain has quietly practiced for decades.
Hilton has confirmed a new Diamond Reserve top-tier status that will finally include confirmed upgrades — while reducing qualification requirements for lower elite levels by 30%. The new tier requires 80 nights and $18,000 in annual spend, positioning Hilton to compete more directly with Marriott and Hyatt’s highest-status travelers.
Hilton Honors’ internal systems show a new Diamond Reserve elite tier above Diamond, requiring 80 nights and $18,000 in annual spend. The leak also references a hidden “Honor Society” level, potentially reserved for invitation-only members — signaling Hilton may finally be preparing to match Marriott’s Ambassador and other ultra-premium elite tiers.
JetBlue is revamping its Mosaic elite program for 2026 — adding new ways to earn status through your kids’ travel while trimming perks for lower tiers. Expect fewer free drinks and checked bags, even as top elites gain lounge access and extra upgrade certificates.
These aren’t going to get you any special perks, but I guess they might impress your fellow flyers when they see you rolling around your carry-on bag? Even Silver is on sale!
Delta SkyMiles members are breathing a sigh of relief because the airline just confirmed that they will not change the requirements for earning elite status in 2026.
Status partners would be a way to generate real excitement and among cardmembers. And members redeeming their points this way are getting more value from their card so would spend more, shifting wallet share to the product that offered it.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
