Higher Standards for Airline Elite Status Don't Bother Elite Travelers
Skift Take
New qualification standards for elite status at American and Delta seem to be working as intended: Business travelers are looking forward to better exclusivity while budget travelers are giving up.
Early this fall, Chicago-based United Airlines quietly updated its MileagePlus loyalty program to change the way that some loyalty members will earn elite status.
To qualify for top-tier 1K elite status in 2018, passengers are required to fly 100,000 miles and spend at least $12,000 with the carrier. Starting in 2019, that spend component is moving up 25% to $15,000. Six weeks later, American Airlines made an identical change for the top Executive Platinum tier in its AAdvantage program.
Moving the goal posts for elite status qualification will help put United and American on more of a competitive playing field with Delta, which requires $15,0
