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 price it anymore?

Fewer upgrades, harder 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 practically 200,000 miles. You’d assume that might make my standing incomes simpler than ever, however many applications 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 resort standing. I can not seem to stop the standing hamster wheel. That stated, for some applications, I’ve determined to chop my losses.

I am going to be capable to requalify for top-tier American Airways AAdvantage standing, and I’ve already requalified for World of Hyatt Globalist standing. These two applications 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 conversant in.

I am going to 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 desirous 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 am going to 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 complete breakdown of the place I’m heading into 2026, and a few methods it may show you how to by yourself standing journey.

American Airways AAdvantage: Government Platinum

I’ve held AAdvantage Government Platinum standing for a number of years now, and it is this system I am in all probability most engaged in (other than World of Hyatt). I am near requalifying for Government 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 possibly can select from a menu of worthwhile advantages, together with what I might take into account the one most precious perk: two systemwide improve certificates.

I am possible to decide on systemwide upgrades once more, however the 25,000 bonus miles and the journey credit are in all probability 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 economic 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 might be able to hit yet one more reward tier (at 250,000 Loyalty Factors) to say certainly one of a slew of AA advantages, comparable to extra systemwide upgrades, bonus miles or a $200-$250 journey credit score.

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

That alone helps me attain my standing purpose. 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 real 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 desirous to see what occurs to my Silver Aviator card subsequent yr.

The data 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 developing 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 may 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 applications 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 plenty 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 charges from $23) for every account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or extra on purchases throughout the prior anniversary yr. I used mine to take my brother to Hawaii.

I am contemplating going for the next standing with Alaska in 2026. I really like that it’s going to 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 shall be eligible for complimentary upgrades on Hawaiian flights inside North America.

Alaska is now the one main U.S. airline that allows you to earn elite standing from flights primarily based on precise flight miles. Which means you do not have to spend an outrageous amount of cash to earn top-tier standing (although you possibly can select to earn standing through spending).

Alaska additionally made a number of optimistic 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 annually 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 annually 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 lease you placed on the cardboard.

That would assist get me a very good 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 Traces 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 prolong my standing through a particular one-time Alternative 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 greater 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 needed to reearn standing for 2026, I might have needed to spend a whopping $28,000 on Delta.

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

The $650 annual charge (see charges and charges) for the Delta Reserve is steep, but it surely’s usually price 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 can spend your technique to standing, however there is no manner I can put that a lot spending on my Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card. Whereas I nonetheless like the cardboard for all its perks, I am not placing a lot spending on it.

All that stated, 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 greatest 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 ok for me for 2026.

Regardless of being what I might take into account the least worthwhile airline foreign money, SkyMiles stay interesting, and I am going to 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 combination: 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 truth, 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 charges) 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 practically 186,000 factors. I amassed them from that beneficiant welcome bonus and a suggestion 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 reasonably priced stopover presents. You’ll be able to add a stopover on a one-way itinerary for simply 5,000 Aeroplan factors.

Associated: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has change 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 am going to get the highest revealed tier standing for 120 days, after which I am going to 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 be a lot nearer to my Higher West Facet condo than John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) in Queens, so I am thrilled I may need a neater 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 certainly one of 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 embody 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 inns this yr. I’ll attempt to hit 90 nights in 2025, so I can earn one other Milestone Rewards alternative.

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

Associated: Which bank card must you use for Hyatt stays?

I need not spend on these playing cards for World of Hyatt factors since you possibly can switch Chase Final Rewards factors to Hyatt. I are inclined to earn plenty of Chase Final Rewards factors through spending on my Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges).

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

To me, World of Hyatt is essentially the most worthwhile resort 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 purpose to spend $15K on my World of Hyatt Credit score Card annually

Hilton Honors: Diamond perpetually

Hilton Honors is the best of my standing achievements to achieve. Whereas I solely stayed at a Hilton resort a number of instances 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 Categorical Aspire Card.

Associated: What’s Hilton Honors elite standing price?

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 charge — it is now $550 (see charges and charges — the cardboard remains to be price protecting.

There are different worthwhile inclusions, comparable 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 whenever 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 certainly one of 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 Seashore Resort in Hawaii.

I additionally use the airline charge credit repeatedly. 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 allure aplenty: What it is like staying at certainly one of Hilton’s SLH properties as a top-tier elite

Whereas I’ve had some good stays at Hilton properties — together with the gorgeous Conrad Bora Bora Nui — through the years, I’ve not often been upgraded regardless of my Diamond standing. Nonetheless, the assertion credit alone justify protecting 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 acquired courtesy of the American Categorical Platinum Card®; it provides standing in a number of resort applications, 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 Categorical shocked everybody by asserting that holders of the Marriott Bonvoy Good® American Categorical® Card would get Platinum Elite standing for so long as they maintain the cardboard, I jumped on the probability to use for it. In consequence, I’ve held Platinum Elite standing since then. That is the primary yr I’ve stayed at sufficient inns to earn it outright.

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

For the primary time, I’ve earned an Annual Alternative Profit award. I am going to possible select 5 Nightly Improve Awards, regardless that I’ve heard they’re onerous 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 Lodge 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 Lodge President Wilson. I really like the lakefront location.

This yr, I used it for London’s Bankside Lodge, 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 Lodge in Canada.

Regardless that a lot of our favourite Marriott Bonvoy properties now value extra factors because of dynamic pricing, I nonetheless discover that Bonvoy factors come in useful.

I am going to finish the yr with 51 Marriott nights. I will not attempt to get the next standing subsequent yr, although the concept of opening the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Categorical® Card is intriguing. Every year 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 am going to maintain the private Good card open and luxuriate in Platinum Elite standing with out worrying about what number of nights I would like to remain.

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

IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite through bank card

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

Over time, I’ve stayed at a number of memorable IHG properties, together with the gorgeous 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 Lodge in Atlanta and the InterContinental Ljubljana in Slovenia (which I wrote about for TPG).

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

The cardboard presents a handful of good perks, however better of all, it grants holders Platinum Elite standing and a free night time award price 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 Lodge in Bozeman, Montana, and the aforementioned InterContinental in Portugal.

The data 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 charges), which additionally offers Platinum Elite standing. It additionally comes with a fourth night time free on award stays and the power so as to add factors to your 40,000-point certificates (these perks aren’t out there on the Choose card). The annual charge is $99.

I am going to 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 am going to get pleasure from some nice redemptions within the not-too-distant future — although I haven’t got any IHG stays deliberate up to now in 2026.

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

Backside line

I’ve toyed with the concept 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 applications: American Airways AAdvantage and World of Hyatt.

I am going to 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 potentialities, and a shift to Alaska could occur in 2026 as properly.

When you’re contemplating going for standing, you need to actually do the maths to see if the additional prices are price the advantages you get. It is more durable to earn standing as of late, and the advantages maintain getting whittled down. Do not do it except you already know 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 cheaper to only get a bank card that mechanically provides 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 charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on right here.

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