It’s the beginning of the year, and for many frequent travelers, it’s a bittersweet time. While it’s a fresh start and an opportunity to set new travel goals, it also means that most of our status levels have been reset to zero. It’s a reminder that the never-ending pursuit of status and benefits in loyalty programs is a constant hamster wheel.
However, amidst the disappointment of starting from scratch, there are some bright spots. Many loyalty programs offer rollover credits, miles, or free nights from credit cards, providing a head start for the new year. Programs like World of Hyatt and Marriott Bonvoy have already begun depositing these credits into members’ accounts, giving them a jumpstart on their status goals.
Delta SkyMiles, for example, has made significant changes to its elite program for 2024. While the airline has rolled back some of the more drastic changes, one thing that remains is the shift from Medallion Qualification Miles to Medallion Qualification Dollars as the metric for elite status. Delta has introduced a new tracker in members’ SkyMiles accounts, which shows their progress towards earning status based on spending.
In addition to the new tracker, Delta also offers its elite members the opportunity to choose their Delta Choice Benefits. These benefits include options like upgrade certificates and bonus miles. Members who qualified for Platinum or Diamond Medallion status in the previous year have until the end of January to select their annual Delta Choice Benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy members are already seeing their 2024 elite night credits being deposited into their accounts. These credits are awarded to members who hold a Marriott credit card, providing a head start towards elite status. Depending on the card, members can receive anywhere from 15 to 25 elite night credits per year. These credits can significantly boost a member’s progress towards achieving Platinum status or higher.
World of Hyatt is also rewarding its members with qualifying nights for the new year. Members who hold the World of Hyatt Credit Card receive five nights towards their status just for having the card. Additionally, they can earn two more nights for every $5,000 spent on the card. This allows members to either spend their way to status or combine their spending with regular stays to achieve a higher tier.
Hyatt has also introduced new features for 2024, including the Milestone Rewards program and the end of unlimited Guest of Honor benefits. Milestone Rewards offer members more choices and perks as they progress towards elite status. The program starts at 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points within a calendar year, and members can earn rewards on up to 150 qualifying nights.
Hilton Honors members are also receiving updates on their status and rollover nights for the new year. Any qualifying nights beyond the number required for a specific status level count towards the following year’s elite status qualification. This means that members can earn status just by holding the right credit card, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
While the pursuit of loyalty program status can be challenging and never-ending, these early-year updates and benefits provide a glimmer of hope for travelers. They offer a head start and the opportunity to make progress towards status goals for the new year. So, take this as a reminder to check your accounts and plan your status goals for 2024. Happy travels!