Quantcast

Last-minute strategies for securing airline elite status before year's end

Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Spirit Adds New Airport, Three Routes
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Last-minute strategies for securing airline elite status before year's end
Research
Webp 6bq4gwnhm8jl8kdrvvlz6038ttqg
Marc Ramos Contributor | The Points Guy

As the year 2024 draws to a close, travelers are exploring options to secure elite status with various airline loyalty programs. With many airlines shifting from mileage-based to spending-based qualification systems, last-minute flights are becoming a popular strategy for achieving these goals.

American Airlines AAdvantage members earn elite status by accumulating Loyalty Points over a March 1-February 28 period. "AAdvantage members earn 5 Loyalty Points for every dollar spent on American Airlines airfare (excluding taxes and government fees), except when booking a basic economy ticket." To bridge any shortfall in points, flyers can opt for specific itineraries like Miami to Asheville or Miami to Orlando, earning up to 2,375 Loyalty Points.

Delta SkyMiles program bases Medallion status solely on Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). "SkyMiles members earn 1 MQD per $1 spent on the ticket price for a Delta-marketed flight operated by Delta or a partner airline (excluding basic economy fares)." For instance, flights from JFK to Detroit or LaGuardia to Washington could help travelers accumulate necessary MQDs quickly.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

United MileagePlus awards Premier status based on Premier qualifying points (PQPs) and flights (PQFs). A round trip from San Francisco to Sacramento might be costly but provides an easy way to gain PQPs. United's cobranded credit cards offer additional opportunities for earning PQPs through everyday spending.

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan calculates elite status using elite qualifying miles (EQMs). "Unlike other loyalty programs that award status based on spending, Mileage Plan awards EQMs based on distance flown and fare class." Flyers can maximize EQM earnings with strategic itineraries such as Seattle to Minneapolis or Seattle to Phoenix.

For those seeking tailored options outside major cities, Google Flights offers tools like the "Explore destinations" feature. This functionality helps identify cost-effective routes while allowing users to filter by airline preferences.

The pursuit of elite status might involve quick trips purely for point accumulation; however, the benefits of achieving higher tiers can enhance travel experiences throughout the following year. Understanding how different programs allocate points and rewards is crucial before embarking on such endeavors.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

With the commencement of the 2025 summer flight schedule, ITA Airways has seamlessly integrated into the Lufthansa Group terminals in Frankfurt and Munich.

Mar 30, 2025

Air China is set to resume its Toronto flights after a 33-year hiatus.

Mar 29, 2025

United Airlines has confirmed that a Boeing 767-300ER, which departed from London on March 26, returned to London Heathrow after experiencing mechanical problems.

Mar 29, 2025

American Airlines has introduced new routes to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, following its "March Map-Ness" contest.

Mar 29, 2025

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A321neo is back in operation after being grounded due to smoke detected in its cabin.

Mar 29, 2025

The Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama, presents an extensive collection of over 120 aircraft, showcasing a range of experimental, military, and general aviation aircraft.

Mar 29, 2025