Reviewing My Status Progress For The Year
Earlier in the year I carved out my goals for 2012. Since I just finished re-qualifying for Hyatt Diamond, now seemed like a good time to do a bit of homework to see if I was on track. We’re not quite to the halfway point of the year, but it’s been a busy 5 months or so.
American Airlines (Executive Platinum): 18K to go to finish out EXP for the year and I’ll earn 10K of those with credit card purchases. This is a lock, and my favorite airline status.
United Airlines (1K): My expectation here was 75K and Platinum status, a drop from last year. However, I’m currently hovering at 50K with over half the year to go and StarMegaDO 4 coming. 80% likely I re-qualify for 1K. This pales in comparison to my EXP but I do end up flying UA to get home earlier to see the family. Tradeoffs exist everywhere in life. Highly doubt I will hit 1K in 2013.
Starwood (Platinum): Depending on how an award booking that I have next week posts, I will most likely finish up my re-qualification by August. I need 12 stays or 19 nights which looks highly likely. I don’t value Platinum anywhere near as highly as Hyatt Diamond but it’s easy for me to get another year towards my lifetime status this year using award stays.
Hyatt (Diamond): I now have 26 stays for the year, 1 more than needed to qualify for Diamond. So, this is wrapped up. By far my favorite hotel status and my second favorite program behind American.
I fully expect Hilton to drop me from Diamond status as I’ve had no stays this year. I still maintain bottom-tier status with Marriott, which is worth about as much as a square tire.
United 1K continues to underwhelm. I may consider some status on US Airways, and I’ll probably do a status match to Turkish as View From the Wing suggests so I can keep Star Alliance Gold.
What are your plans for status this year? What loyalty card is the most valuable in your wallet?
Stick $40k on the Hilton Surpass Amex to keep HHonors Diamond
Honestly, I don’t value the status very highly. And, since I don’t have any stays planned I figure the $40K is probably better spent on my Chase Sapphire card.
Just my two cents that you may want to take another look at Hilton elite status. They have majorly improved their elite tiers recently. I have noticed over my last two stays that they seem to be more aware of elites during checkin, checkin amenities, suite upgrades, etc. I may have just been lucky, but am hoping this is a move in the right direction 🙂
I’ve heard similar things from others. But, IMO, Hyatt and SPG have more aspirational properties than Hilton. And, where Hyatt may not have as many properties as Hilton, SPG has a property most places Hilton does. I’m far enough down the road to lifetime status with SPG and Hyatt that I’ll continue to focus my stays there until I finish up both of those.
You might want to consider A3 *G, as it’s good for 3 years and as of now it appears that re-qualification involves crediting 1 flight to it during the 3 year period.
Ryan, I already submitted my status match to them yesterday. 😉