It’s always hard to see most of my elite status levels reset to zero on January 1st. It’s a harsh reminder that if you want to maintain your status next year, you’ll have to go back to the hamster wheel.
Some of us at TPG have decided that it’s no longer worth the squeeze when it comes to top level elite status or even have decided do not seek status at all.
But for those of us who are truly addicted to top-tier status (like me), we need to start the games again.
Plus, there are some plus points: earned credits, miles or free nights on credit cards, courtesy of some of our favorite programs like Hyatt World They are already here. Additionally, several programs have new advantages or new benefit options.
We have already seen transfers and credits, including Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt stay credits, which reach our accounts.
Consider this your annual reminder to review your accounts and make a state goal plan for 2025.
Delta Sky Miles
It’s a whole new world for Delta Air Lines elite members. The airline made headlines in 2023 when it made a lot of changes to your program. While Delta has since he retreated Some of the more draconian steps, what hasn’t changed is the end of Medallion Qualification Miles as a metric for elite status.
Now it’s all about Medallion Qualification Dollars, as you can see in my SkyMiles account tracker:
Your ability to choose your Delta Choice benefits is not available at this time (at least not on my account). I have it on good authority that people (like me) who had enough MQMs last year to renew your status 2024 You won’t see options until after February 1st.
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However, there will be a lot of new options in addition to the previous options like upgrade certificates and SkyMiles bonus.
If you qualified for Platinum or Diamond Medallion status in Medallion year 2025 (based on qualifying activity during calendar year 2024), you have until January 31, 2026 to select your annual Delta Choice benefits. Please note that you must elect your 2024 benefits before the end of January.
According to Delta, you’ll soon be able to choose in the app instead of having to log in on a desktop computer: “Starting February 1, 2025, enjoy a more seamless experience selecting your Choice Benefits through the Fly Delta app. “
We expect MQD’s push to have one of the following Delta credit cards to arrive sometime in February:
For each of these cards you own, you get 2,500 MQD at the beginning of each year just for being a cardholder. These accumulate for travelers with multiple eligible cards. That means if you have two of those cards, for example, you’ll get a head start of 5,000 MQD for the year.
Related: The best credit cards for flying on Delta
Hyatt World
Qualifying nights, courtesy of World of Hyatt, have already been posted to my account. I actually received an email about the free nights, so look for it in your email account if you haven’t seen those nights reflected in your tracker yet.
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Email confirming qualifying Hyatt nights with credit card. HYATT WORLD
However, several TPG employees have not yet received them by 2025.
Don’t worry if yours hasn’t appeared yet. Traditionally they all arrive in the same week.
You get five nights every year to Hyatt World status just for possessing the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Plus, you can earn another two nights for every $5,000 you spend with the card.
Hyatt also has the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card; Unfortunately, you don’t get Elite qualifying nights just for having this card. But you can earn five-tier qualifying night credits for every $10,000 you spend each calendar year on the card.
By taking advantage of one (or both) of these cards, you could possibly spend towards status or combine your spending with a regular stay activity to raise your level in 2025.
Related: How Getting the World of Hyatt Business Card Helped Me Get Premium Hyatt Status
Hyatt has also launched several new features. Now you’ll have more options at more stops on your journey to elite status. Hyatt Milestone Rewards starts with 20 qualifying nights or 35,000 base points earned within a calendar year. You’ll earn Milestone Rewards for up to 150 qualifying nights per year.
World of Hyatt also ended the unlimited Guest of Honor benefit available to Globalist elite members. Instead, you can now earn Guest of Honor awards through the Hyatt Milestone Rewards program.
Options you earn include 2,000 World of Hyatt points for a stay at select brands, club access rewards, and credits for Hyatt Find experiences. There are also new benefits for 2025. Starting with 20 nights, you can now choose two coupons for preferred seating on American Airlines.
For the first time in 2024, Hyatt deposited five Guest of Honor awards into everyone’s accounts Globalist members (including those with globalist status for life).
There are another five in my account for 2025, expiring on February 28, 2026. My new suite upgrade rewards also arrived in my account with the same expiration date.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy fans are already seeing elite night credits hit their accounts. These bonus nights come courtesy of having a Marriott credit card that automatically gives you 15 to 25 Elite night credits per year. In my case, I have the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, which comes with automatic Platinum status and a 25-night benefit for the year.
You can only earn elite nights with one personal card, even if you have more than one. However, if you open a business card and a personal card, you can get up to 40 Elite nights, which is almost enough for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status (50 nights).
Read more: Here’s why you need a Marriott Bonvoy credit card for both personal and business
My colleague Nick Ewen is one of those lucky members of Bonvoy. It’s already 40 nights old.
This can provide a big boost towards Bonvoy’s elite status qualification.
You’ll find this elite nighttime benefit as a benefit on several cards, including the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card ($125 annual fee; see rates and fees).
Related: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Credit Card Review
Hilton Honors
Starting Tuesday, we will also see status notifications and status transfer nights posted to Hilton Honors accounts.
If you have Hilton Honors Silver status or higher, any qualifying nights beyond the number required to qualify for a given status level count toward your elite status qualification for the following calendar year. Those nights should be posted now or will be posted shortly.
You can have Hilton status with just have the right credit card. In fact, I have top-level Diamond status only because I have the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card information has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
While the card has a high annual fee of $550, there are other valuable inclusions– Up to a $400 semi-annual Hilton resort credit, up to $200 in airfare credits (up to $50 each quarter), and a free night certificate when you open your account and every year on your card anniversary.
Related reading:
For rates and fees for the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, click here.
