We are about to reach the finish line for people to experience the highest level of flight. As the calendar approaches Dec. 31 (the multi-programmed limit for this year’s eligible career), options are becoming slimmer for travelers trying to decide whether to reach the next elite level.
Almost all the emails we receive from our readers about this topic include the same questions: How can I get the necessary savings miles, flights or dollars to travel to the state? How can I earn a position without flying more this year? And – perhaps most importantly – is the high-flying situation worth it?
Related: 5 things to tell your little one about flight status
Here are some tips for common year-end status issues with several major US airlines.
How to score last-minute honors with American Airlines
Here’s how to determine American Airlines’ current status (March 1, 2024, through Feb. 28, 2025) with its Loyalty Points program:
- Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
- Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
- Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
- Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
The US eligibility period runs from March 1 to Feb. 28 of the following year (or Feb. 29 during a leap year). If you achieve a higher status during the eligibility period, your status will be valid until the following March 31st. So, if you achieve Advantage status on Feb. 28, 2025, will hold the position until March 31, 2026.
Under the AAdvantage program, you need Loyalty Points to earn higher status with American Airlines.
You may have heard that 1 American mile earned equals 1 Loyalty Point earned, but unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Instead, you only earn Loyalty Points when you earn basic American Airlines miles. Bonus American Airlines miles will not earn you Loyalty Points.
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So, be careful to understand whether you are getting basic miles or bonus miles if you are looking for ways to earn Loyalty Points.
Last-minute strategies for gaining or maintaining American elite status
You can get a position with American until the end of February. You can earn Loyalty Points when you fly American and many of its partners.
However, there are many ways to earn Loyalty Points without flying. Here are a few of them:
Loyalty Points must be posted to your account by the end of February to count toward your current eligibility period. Compared to other major airlines, which have eligibility periods that end on December 31, you have more time to earn or qualify.
Loyalty Points are usually posted to your account based on the flight or transaction date. However, Loyalty Points from credit card transactions are based on the date the transaction arrives in your Advantage account – which is usually (or shortly after) your statement closing date. Because of that, it’s important to complete your spending before your February statement closes.
Related: Last-minute strategies for getting American AAdvantage elite status
How to get last minute elite status with Delta Air Lines
These are the ways to earn Delta Medallion elite status during the current eligibility period, which begins on Jan. 1, 2024, until Dec. 31, 2024:
- Silver Medal: 5,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars
- Gold medal: 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medal: 28,000 MQDs
If you achieve the required MQDs for your preferred status category by Dec. 31, 2024, you will keep your status until Jan. 31, 2026.
Related: Delta makes it harder to get Medallion status in 2024, adds new Choice Benefit options
Last minute strategies to gain or maintain Delta elite status
If you are looking to fill your MQDs on Dec. 31, here are some options:
However, remember that MQDs must be posted to your account this year in order to be eligible for special status for the 2025 status year. So, especially if you want to earn MQMs by spending on your Delta card, make sure the amount you spend is on the statement to be issued. before at the end of the year.
Related: Last-minute strategies for achieving Delta Medallion elite status
How to get last minute elite status with United Airlines
Each United elite level has two paths to status: earning status through a combination of Premier-eligible flights and a certain number of Premier-eligible points, or earning status by meeting a certain PQP threshold.
Here are the current requirements to achieve United elite status during the current eligibility year, which begins in Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2024.
| Status category | PQPs and PQFs | PQPs only |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Silver | 4,000 PQPs and 12 PQFs | 5,000 PQPs |
| Premier Gold | 8,000 PQPs and 24 PQFs | 10,000 PQPs |
| Premier Platinum | 12,000 PQPs and 36 PQFs | 15,000 PQPs |
| Prime Minister 1K | 18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs | 24,000 PQPs |
Once you have earned United elite status, you will retain your status until the end of the current year in which you earned it, into the following year. again until Jan. 31 of the following year. So, if you’re eligible for senior status with United in November 2024, you’ll keep your status until Jan. 31, 2026.
Last-minute strategies for earning United PQFs
If you need more United PQFs, you should get on more flights before the calendar turns to Jan. 1, 2025.
Fortunately, grade doesn’t matter for PQFs. When earning PQFs, you can take the shortest flights available. However, to earn PQFs, your flight cannot be an award flight, cannot be booked in United basic economy and must be included in United MileagePlus. You won’t earn PQFs or PQPs if you fly on select MileagePlus flights, so double-check eligibility if you’re not traveling with United or a Star Alliance partner.
Remember that a PQF is a departure and a landing, so a qualifying round trip with a connection each way would count as four PQFs. If you have a few non-stop flights remaining in your schedule in 2024, you can convert them to connecting flights to increase your PQF count. Consider a same-day change or rebooking your ticket if the fare is the same.
Last-minute strategies for earning United PQPs
You can still earn PQPs this qualifying year using eligible United funds. Remember that PQPs from airlines do not ship until you fly. Therefore, if you earn additional PQPs by flying, the flight(s) must take place this year.
Here are some ideas to earn more PQPs before the end of the year:
- Book a charter flight on United or United Express: Flights operated by United and United Express typically earn 1 PQP per dollar spent on base airfare plus carrier-imposed surcharges (excluding taxes).
- Book an eligible charter partner flight: Most flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines earn PQPs based on fare class, flight distance and airline.
- Buy Economy Plus or seats of your choice: You can earn PQPs when you purchase an Economy Plus subscription and book seats together (excluding taxes and fees).
United typically credits PQPs on flights and related purchases (such as Economy Plus or paid upgrades) to your account within two days of your flight. Meanwhile, PQPs will usually be credited to your account two days after you purchase or renew your Economy Plus subscription.
You can also earn PQPs when you use select United credit cards. You can earn 25 PQPs for every $500 spent on purchases with select cards, although different cards have different earning rates per calendar year. However, make sure you reach the spending limit in enough time for the PQPs to post to your United account at the end of the year.
Related: Last minute strategies to achieve United Premier elite status
Achieving a high level by matching the situation
If your elite status expires in 2024 and it is unlikely that you will qualify, even using the strategies above, you may consider applying to match status with another airline.
Status matching usually allows you to get the same or lower status with a new airline based on your current standing with a competitor’s loyalty program. But why would airlines offer such a great opportunity?
If a traveler has demonstrated strong loyalty to one airline and its rewards program, this may make them an attractive target for a competing airline. A traveler may be open to changing their loyalty if they are dissatisfied with their current plan or their circumstances have changed – such as from an American Airlines hub to an airport where United is the preferred carrier.
Note that matches are usually limited to once in a lifetime, so choose the most appropriate time to apply.
Related: Complete guide to flight mode matches and challenges
Earn a high rate with the right credit card
While no credit card available to new applicants currently offers a high automatic rate with any of the major US airlines listed in this guide, many allow cardholders to earn credits to improve their status.
These card options can help you achieve your special status goals:
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite information has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card information on this page has not been updated or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards to reach elite status
Is it worth trying for last-minute elite status?
If you’re short a few flight segments or a few hundred dollars, an investment may be needed to bridge the gap to a higher level and reap the benefits of the year.
However, if you still need hundreds – or thousands – of dollars in upfront costs to cover the gap, the equation quickly turns into one that may not be worth it. Factor in the time the extra flights will take if you need to fly, and be very honest with yourself about how much the benefits of elite status will benefit you.
If you’re going to spend more than a few hours or a few hundred dollars this time of year chasing flight status, really check out the real value you’ll get.
Bottom line
Airline status may still qualify, but time is running out for you to close the status gap this year. Depending on your specific situation, you may need to spend some money, book and take extra flights, or do both in order to get the benefits you want next year.
As a last resort, if the status doesn’t suit you, remember that sometimes airlines offer a way to reinstate your status after the end of the year. It is also free to ask the airline for a one-time collision if you are close but exceed the salary condition. None of these methods are guaranteed to work, but are worth considering if all other approaches to the situation fail.
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