My Airline Elite Status Strategy For 2023

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Following my recent post about my hotel elite status strategy, I wanted to share my airline elite status strategy for the coming year. I don't think airline elite status is worth much anymore. That doesn't mean I'm out of luck.

What my airline travel in 2023 will look like

With most travel restrictions out of the way, I am hopeful that in 2023 I will be able to fly again.

I want to know what my flying patterns will be this year.

• In terms of miles flown, my single biggest kind of travel will be “pure” review trips, intended to review new airline products, mostly while redeeming miles
• For most of my other travel (including with Ford and Miles), my priority is flying as comfortably and directly as possible, while also getting the best value
• Admittedly I live in Miami, and American has a massive hub here, which means that American is my most frequently flown airline

I don’t really care about airline elite status anymore

I don't think it's worth it to go out of your way to get airline elite status anymore There is a huge value in seeking out elite status with hotels, given how useful the perks are, and also given that status can be easy to earn. I can't say the same thing about airlines.

Airline elite status has fallen in value over time.

• Airlines have made elite status much more costly to earn; the days of earning 100,000 elite miles with American for $3,000, while earning eight systemwide upgrades, are over
• Since airlines mostly award miles based on how much you spend rather than how far you far, there’s less value in earning miles through flying, not to mention award costs have gone up
• Elite benefits have been hugely watered down, and getting upgrades has become much harder than it used to be

I don't think it's worth going out of your way to try and get elite status in airline loyalty programs My strategy is summarized in a few words.

• I try to rack up transferable points currencies, and then redeem then for aspirational travel, as that gives me the most flexibility and value
• I value first class domestically (it allows me to be productive), so I’m happy to book whatever airline has the cheapest first class fare (if the premium is reasonable), try to find a route where my status will get me a complimentary upgrade, try to confirm an upgrade in advance using miles or other instruments, or book something like the Spirit Big Front Seat

My 2023 airline elite status strategy

I still have elite status even though I don't value it the same way I used to. It is anyone's guess as to how long I will be oneworld Emerald and Star Alliance Gold. As we enter 2023, here's where I am.

American AAdvantage Executive Platinum status

AAdvantage Executive Platinum status has been given to me for a decade. The introduction of Loyalty Points changed American's loyalty program. You can now earn status exclusively through credit card spending. I think the new program is great, but I have mixed feelings about it.

Status runs from the beginning of March until the end of February of the next year, rather than the previous year.

Executive Platinum status requires 200,000 Loyalty points, while I have around 100,000 Loyalty points. I should be at around 140,000 Loyalty Points by the end of February based on my travel plans. It only takes 70% of the way to maintain Executive Platinum status to get Platinum Pro status.

Since I prefer to use a card that offers me more lucrative rewards, I haven't earned any loyalty points through credit card spending. I may make up that difference in the next few months.

When you spend $40,000 in eligible purchases between January 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023, you'll get 10,000 bonus loyalty points. If I spent $50,000 on the card, I would earn 60,000 Loyalty Points, which would allow me to keep my Platinum status.

I think the math shows that using a card that is better for everyday spending is a good idea. What's the reason? The loyalty choice rewards program is related to it. I can get 60,000 additional AAdvantage miles if I pass 200,000 Loyalty Points. When all is said and done, I will be earning over 2x AAdvantage miles on my spending.

I have to figure out what to do next now that I'm on the hamster wheel for one more year.

Singapore KrisFlyer Gold Elite status

You could get KrisFlyer Gold Elite status if you transferred 250K bank points to the program in the year 2021. I redeemed the miles for two tickets to Singapore A380 Suites.

The status was supposed to be valid through June 2022. Star Alliance Gold status, which offers lounge access and priority services, is one of the main benefits of KrisFlyer Gold Elite status. I won't be renewing that status.

Starlux COSMILE Insighter status

Back in 2021, Starlux Airlines had a status match opportunity. The status match was valid for a few years.

I haven't gotten value from this when I fly with Starlux Airlines, but they sent me a cool gift. I am hopeful that I will be able to fly with Starlux Arlines this year as they start flying to Los Angeles with the A350-900s.

Bottom line

The ability to redeem miles is more important than elite status in my opinion. Being able to fly the airline that works best for a trip is something I enjoy. Credit cards give me the ability to redeem my rewards across airlines.

I am still on the American AAdvantage Executive Platinum hamster wheel, but I don't know how long it will last.

Which airline loyalty strategy will you use in the year 2023? Is it different from previous years?