TPG’s Clint Henderson’s 2026 elite standing plans

A debate has been raging in The Factors Man newsroom for the previous few years: Is airline standing value it anymore?

Fewer upgrades, more durable incomes necessities, dynamic pricing and watered-down advantages have many people at TPG deciding the reply is “no.”

This yr has been my busiest journey yr ever. I ought to find yourself flying almost 200,000 miles. You’d assume that might make my standing incomes simpler than ever, however many packages have raised standing necessities, and the sport has gotten more durable and more durable yearly.

However regardless of my complaints, I proceed to pursue each airline and lodge standing. I can not seem to stop the standing hamster wheel. That mentioned, for some packages, I’ve determined to chop my losses.

I will be capable to requalify for top-tier American Airways AAdvantage standing, and I’ve already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist standing. These two packages will earn the majority of my journey subsequent yr — however I simply did a standing match to United MileagePlus, so I am excited to check out a program I am much less accustomed to.

I will go into the brand new yr with mid-tier Alaska Airways standing as properly, and I actually like the brand new Atmos Rewards program. I am desperate to see what’s potential with the brand new program, as I’ve continued to make some unimaginable redemptions with the factors.

In 2026, I will proceed to carry Platinum Elite standing in IHG One Rewards, in addition to Hilton Honors Diamond standing, only for carrying bank cards. And this yr, for the primary time, I requalified for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite standing organically (I might beforehand earned it from holding a top-end bank card).

This is the total breakdown of the place I’m heading into 2026, and a few methods it might provide help to by yourself standing journey.

American Airways AAdvantage: Govt Platinum

I’ve held AAdvantage Govt Platinum standing for a number of years now, and it is this system I am most likely most engaged in (apart from World of Hyatt). I am near requalifying for Govt Platinum for 2026 already, and I nonetheless have a number of months to attempt to hit a number of of the airline’s new Loyalty Level Rewards milestones.

When you hit 175,000 Loyalty Factors, you may select from a menu of priceless advantages, together with what I’d contemplate the only most precious perk: two systemwide improve certificates.

I am seemingly to decide on systemwide upgrades once more, however the 25,000 bonus miles and the journey credit are most likely the most effective alternate choices.

I’ve actually loved my standing this yr, with a number of complimentary home upgrades and a few even larger perks.

This yr, I have been in a position to make use of three systemwide upgrades. I used two for worldwide flights, together with an improve from premium financial system to enterprise class on two American Airways flights to and from London, and one other on a transcontinental flight from San Francisco to New York to improve into top notch on American’s three-class A321T.

I used to be additionally in a position to rating a number of nice redemptions this yr utilizing AAdvantage miles. I booked top notch on Japan Airways for simply 80,000 AAdvantage miles twice!

Associated: How I booked Japan Airways top notch for simply 80K American Airways AAdvantage miles

To date this yr, I’ve earned 197,149 Loyalty Factors. The qualification yr runs by means of Feb. 28, so I could possibly hit yet one more reward tier (at 250,000 Loyalty Factors) to assert one in all a slew of AA advantages, similar to extra systemwide upgrades, bonus miles or a $200-$250 journey credit score.

A part of my technique has been holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) to make it simpler to rack up Loyalty Factors.

That alone helps me attain my standing aim. It nets me an additional 20,000 Loyalty Factors — 10,000 bonus Loyalty Factors after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Factors, and one other 10,000 bonus Loyalty Factors after reaching 90,000 Loyalty Factors.

I additionally maintain the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® — however that’s going away after this yr, when Citi turns into the only issuer of all AAdvantage bank cards beginning subsequent yr.

Nonetheless, that card has gotten me an additional 5,000 Loyalty Factors, since I’ve spent $20,000 on it this yr. I am desperate to see what occurs to my Silver Aviator card subsequent yr.

The knowledge for the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

I’ve some unimaginable journeys arising in 2026, together with visits to Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and Johannesburg — and I am unable to wait to place my standing to the check.

Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards: Gold, however going for Titanium?

I am very excited by the brand new Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards program. Alaska acquired Hawaiian Airways this yr. That is expanded the route map and likewise launched some thrilling new advantages that can roll out in 2026.

I managed to do a standing problem with Hawaiian Airways this yr earlier than it formally merged with Alaska. That translated to Atmos Rewards Gold when the 2 packages merged earlier this yr.

Final yr, I used Alaska miles to fly on companion Starlux Airways in enterprise class to Taiwan and again, and I did it once more this yr.

Associated: Flying Starlux and Japan Airways in enterprise class: How I used Alaska Airways Mileage Plan miles to make it occur

I additionally booked companion award flights utilizing Alaska miles on Japan Airways in enterprise class and on companion American Airways within the new Dreamliner suite product from Chicago to London.

Alaska’s partnership with American Airways means I can nonetheless fly on Alaska flights, which inherit my top-tier American Airways AAdvantage standing. I additionally nonetheless get a number of good use from the companion certificates from my Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit score Card.

With this card, you get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and costs from $23) for every account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or extra on purchases inside the prior anniversary yr. I used mine to take my brother to Hawaii.

I am contemplating going for a better standing with Alaska in 2026. I really like that it’ll now improve top-tier Titanium members (and a companion) to enterprise class on worldwide flights on the day of departure. In some unspecified time in the future subsequent yr, these with standing might be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights inside North America.

Alaska is now the one main U.S. airline that permits you to earn elite standing from flights primarily based on precise flight miles. Which means you do not have to spend an outrageous sum of money to earn top-tier standing (although you may select to earn standing by way of spending).

Alaska additionally made a number of constructive modifications on the status-earning entrance. Alaska Atmos Rewards members now earn factors on award redemptions, and there are additionally new methods to spend towards standing.

Cardholders with the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature Credit score Card earn 1 standing level for each $3 spent, as much as a complete of 30,000 standing factors every year on certified purchases (although the cap on standing factors goes away in 2026).

However those that, like me, have the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit score Card earn 1 standing level for each $2 spent on the cardboard, with no spending cap. You may additionally earn 10,000 standing factors every year in your account anniversary (beginning in 2026).

I am planning on placing a ton of spending on my Summit card subsequent yr, since Atmos Rewards has a partnership with Bilt Rewards that will get you 3 Atmos Rewards factors for each greenback of hire you placed on the cardboard.

That would assist get me a superb chunk of the way in which towards top-tier Titanium standing, which requires 100,000 standing factors in 2025 and 135,000 in 2026.

Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes Alaska Atmos Rewards elite standing

Delta SkyMiles: Silver Medallion (down from Diamond)

Sadly, my run with Delta Air Strains Diamond Medallion is coming to an finish. I had Delta Medallion standing by means of 2025 because of rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (RIP). Final yr, I used to be in a position to lengthen my standing by way of a particular one-time Selection Profit that allowed me to take my unused rollover MQMs and switch them into Diamond standing by means of January 2026.

Delta now has a lot larger elite standing necessities in its SkyMiles Medallion loyalty program, and I discover the necessities for Diamond standing are simply too excessive, contemplating what you get as a top-tier elite.

If I might wished to reearn standing for 2026, I’d have needed to spend a whopping $28,000 on Delta.

My whole spending for 2025 will are available in at round 9,600 in Medallion Qualification {Dollars}. This contains 2,500 MQDs only for holding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Specific Card.

The $650 annual price (see charges and costs) for the Delta Reserve is steep, but it surely’s usually value it for these chasing standing. It is simply not sufficient of a lift to get me even to Gold standing.

The Reserve card does give 1 MQD for each $10 you spend on the cardboard. Technically, you might spend your option to standing, however there isn’t any means I can put that a lot spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card. Whereas I nonetheless like the cardboard for all its perks, I am now not placing a lot spending on it.

All that mentioned, I’ve loved my Diamond standing this yr. I had World Improve Certificates transfer me from Premium Choose to Delta One on flights to and from Marrakech on the inaugural from Atlanta.

I’ve additionally made nice use of SkyMiles. I lucked out with an award from Mexico Metropolis Worldwide Airport (MEX) to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) after which to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in Delta One. There was a quick second when the flight was out there for simply 73,000 SkyMiles one-way. I jumped on the alternative to fly in Delta One on the more-than-14-hour flight to Australia.

Associated: Among the finest methods to make use of Delta SkyMiles

However for subsequent yr, I am getting off the Delta hamster wheel and bidding a fond farewell to top-tier Delta standing. It is simply getting too wealthy for my blood; Silver is okay for me for 2026.

Regardless of being what I might contemplate the least priceless airline foreign money, SkyMiles stay interesting, and I will maintain my Reserve card for the long run.

Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes Delta Medallion elite standing

Air Canada Aeroplan: Dropping to member

Final yr, I added a brand new standing to the combo: I obtained Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K standing for signing up for a bank card. Sadly, that standing will expire on the finish of the yr.

I have not had many alternatives to fly with Air Canada. In actual fact, I had a bunch of eUpgrade certificates expire.

I have been more and more intrigued by Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, which oftentimes permits bookings as little as 60,000 to 70,000 factors for enterprise class on companion airways (like United).

I signed up for the Aeroplan® Credit score Card (see charges and costs) from Chase, which at present has a welcome provide of as much as 100,000 factors: Earn 75,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening and one other 25,000 factors after spending $20,000 within the first 12 months from account opening.

I am now sitting on almost 186,000 factors. I collected them from that beneficiant welcome bonus and a proposal to switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Aeroplan and earn a 20% switch bonus (not at present out there).

I used to be in a position to guide a business-class flight from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires on Emirates for 56,000 Aeroplan factors. That is a fifth-freedom route and an thrilling journey for this AvGeek who has by no means flown Emirates.

This yr, I am contemplating utilizing my factors on one of many airline’s inexpensive stopover provides. You may add a stopover on a one-way itinerary for simply 5,000 Aeroplan factors.

Associated: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has develop into my favourite Star Alliance loyalty program

United Airways MileagePlus: Premier 1K

My latest standing is United Airways MileagePlus Premier 1K, which I’ll obtain as soon as I full an activating flight within the subsequent three months. I will get the highest revealed tier standing for 120 days, after which I will want to finish some mixture of flying and incomes to maintain the standing for the entire yr.

I am excited to expertise an airline I’ve flown little or no with through the years. Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) can also be a lot nearer to my Higher West Aspect condominium than John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) in Queens, so I am thrilled I may need a better journey to the airport.

World of Hyatt: Globalist

I’ve beloved having top-tier Hyatt standing once more this yr.

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World of Hyatt Globalist standing is one in all my absolute favorites. I have been in a position to make use of suite upgrades at a number of unimaginable properties this yr, together with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hawaii, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and the Hyatt Regency Cape City in South Africa.

Globalist advantages embrace assured 4 p.m. late checkout, free breakfast and higher improve odds.

This yr, I’ve earned top-tier standing organically with stays all around the world. I particularly beloved the Park Hyatt Marrakech, the place I used to be upgraded to a Park Suite as a Globalist.

I’ve already earned a complete of 82 nights at Hyatt motels this yr. I’ll attempt to hit 90 nights in 2025, so I can earn one other Milestone Rewards alternative.

I additionally plan on holding each my World of Hyatt Credit score Card (see charges and costs) and my World of Hyatt Enterprise Credit score Card (see charges and costs). They’re going to assist me get extra elite nights towards standing every year.

Associated: Which bank card do you have to use for Hyatt stays?

I needn’t spend on these playing cards for World of Hyatt factors since you may switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Hyatt. I are likely to earn a number of Chase Final Rewards factors by way of spending on my Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and costs).

However I’ve been placing Hyatt stays on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card to earn 4 factors per greenback spent at Hyatt motels and resorts. You additionally get two elite nights for each $5,000 you placed on the non-public card.

To me, World of Hyatt is probably the most priceless lodge loyalty program. I have already got journeys on the books for Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires — and I am excited to see the place else World of Hyatt takes me.

Associated: Why I intention to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card every year

Hilton Honors: Diamond without end

Hilton Honors is the simplest of my standing achievements to achieve. Whereas I solely stayed at a Hilton lodge a number of occasions this yr, I nonetheless maintain this system’s highest standing stage: Diamond. How did I handle that? It is a perk of holding Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card.

Associated: What’s Hilton Honors elite standing value?

The cardboard comes with Hilton Diamond standing for so long as you maintain it. Regardless of “enhancements” and a change to the cardboard’s hefty annual price — it is now $550 (see charges and costs — the cardboard remains to be value holding.

There are different priceless inclusions, similar to $400 to spend at Hilton resorts yearly (a $200 assertion credit score from January to June and one other $200 assertion credit score from July to December), $200 in assertion credit for flight purchases ($50 per quarter) and a free night time once you open the account and attain your annual card anniversary.

This yr I used my free night time on the stylish Conrad Tokyo on a room that might have been greater than $1,100!

I additionally used one in all my $200 keep credit on the Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa in Morocco, and the opposite at Resorts World Las Vegas. In previous years, I’ve additionally used it at Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Seaside Resort in Hawaii.

I additionally use the airline price credit usually. When utilizing the Aspire card to pay, you get $50 in assertion credit for airline purchases as soon as 1 / 4.

Due to this card, I’ve had Hilton Diamond standing since 2020.

Associated: No suite improve however attraction aplenty: What it is like staying at one in all Hilton’s SLH properties as a top-tier elite

Whereas I’ve had some good stays at Hilton properties — together with the beautiful Conrad Bora Bora Nui — through the years, I’ve hardly ever been upgraded regardless of my Diamond standing. Nonetheless, the assertion credit alone justify holding the Aspire card and my Diamond standing for 2026, even when I haven’t got as a lot luck getting upgrades with Hilton as I do with Hyatt.

Marriott Bonvoy: Platinum Elite

For the primary time this yr, I earned Platinum Elite standing with Marriott organically with 51 nights in 2025.

Prior to now, I might been very content material with the Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing I obtained courtesy of the American Specific Platinum Card®; it offers standing in a number of lodge packages, together with Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required).

Associated: Information to Marriott and Hilton elite standing with the Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum

Then got here 2022. When American Specific shocked everybody by asserting that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Specific® Card would get Platinum Elite standing for so long as they maintain the cardboard, I jumped on the probability to use for it. Consequently, I’ve held Platinum Elite standing since then. That is the primary yr I’ve stayed at sufficient motels to earn it outright.

I’ve spent greater than two dozen nights at Marriott properties this yr, and having Platinum Elite standing actually enhanced my journeys.

For the primary time, I’ve earned an Annual Selection Profit award. I will seemingly select 5 Nightly Improve Awards, although I’ve heard they’re arduous to make use of.

Over the previous a number of years, I’ve had nice stays at Marriott properties, together with on the Ritz-Carlton in Perth, Australia; the Sheraton Lake Como Resort in Italy; The Tokyo Version, Ginza; and The London Version.

I used the annual free night time that comes with the Good card two years in a row on the Resort President Wilson. I really like the lakefront location.

This yr, I used it for London’s Bankside Resort, which I raved about in a narrative for TPG.

Having Platinum Elite standing made these stays higher: I loved advantages like assured late checkout, lounge entry and complimentary breakfast. I as soon as even obtained a collection improve whereas staying at Le Meridien N’Fis in Morocco.

Free lounge entry comes with Platinum standing, and I took benefit of that perk throughout a previous yr’s keep on the Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Resort in Canada.

Despite the fact that lots of our favourite Marriott Bonvoy properties now value extra factors as a result of dynamic pricing, I nonetheless discover that Bonvoy factors turn out to be useful.

I will finish the yr with 51 Marriott nights. I will not attempt to get a better standing subsequent yr, although the thought of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card is intriguing. Annually you maintain the cardboard, you obtain 15 elite night time credit towards the following stage of Marriott Bonvoy elite standing.

At the least for now, although, I will maintain the non-public Good card open and revel in Platinum Elite standing with out worrying about what number of nights I want to remain.

Associated: Final-minute methods to earn Marriott Bonvoy elite standing

IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite by way of bank card

Like my different lodge statuses, I’ve Platinum Elite standing with IHG One Rewards by advantage of holding its hotel-branded card. That is the place I will keep for 2026.

Over time, I’ve stayed at a number of memorable IHG properties, together with the beautiful Six Senses Shaharut and the InterContinental David Tel Aviv.

This yr, I hung out on the Kimpton Fitzroy in London, the InterContinental Porto in Portugal, the Kimpton Overland Resort in Atlanta and the InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia (which I wrote about for TPG).

Regardless of solely staying seven nights at IHG motels in 2025, I’ll maintain IHG Platinum Elite standing just by holding the IHG One Rewards Choose Credit score Card (now not open to new candidates).

The cardboard provides a handful of good perks, however better of all, it grants holders Platinum Elite standing and a free night time award value as much as 40,000 factors.

Associated: InterContinental model evolution a part of IHG’s broader luxurious liftoff

I used my free night time award through the years at a number of nice properties, together with the Kimpton Armory Resort in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.

The knowledge for the IHG One Rewards Choose card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

The brand new model of the cardboard is the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card (see charges and costs), which additionally offers Platinum Elite standing. It additionally comes with a fourth night time free on award stays and the flexibility so as to add factors to your 40,000-point certificates (these perks aren’t out there on the Choose card). The annual price is $99.

I will maintain my IHG card for standing (and a free night time) once more subsequent yr. I am additionally sitting on a pleasant stash of factors, so odds are I will take pleasure in some nice redemptions within the not-too-distant future — although I haven’t got any IHG stays deliberate to date in 2026.

Associated: Final-minute methods for incomes IHG One Rewards elite standing

Backside line

I’ve toyed with the thought of going totally free agent and stopping my pursuit of standing. However I can not seem to power myself to get off the standing hamster wheel.

Whereas I did hand over Delta Diamond Medallion standing, a busier-than-ever journey yr simply earned me top-tier standing in my two prime packages: American Airways AAdvantage and World of Hyatt.

I will have top-tier standing with American, Hyatt and Hilton once more subsequent yr. I am excited to make use of a few of my perks in 2026, and I’ll report again on my 2027 plans subsequent yr. A standing problem with United has opened some intriguing prospects, and a shift to Alaska might occur in 2026 as properly.

For those who’re contemplating going for standing, it’s best to actually do the mathematics to see if the additional prices are value the advantages you get. It is more durable to earn standing lately, and the advantages maintain getting whittled down. Do not do it except you realize you’ll use the perks and that you are able to do it with out spending a small fortune you would not in any other case spend.

It may be more cost effective to simply get a bank card that mechanically offers you a few of the perks of standing, like free checked luggage and precedence boarding.

At the least give it some thought. I am undecided I am the most effective at following my very own recommendation.

Associated studying:

For charges and costs of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on right here.

For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.