Improved loyalty program and elite status in 2022

Earlier this year, TPG staff from the points, miles, and credit card teams sat down to discuss some of the Editors’ choices for TPG Award 2022.

We had lively discussions about each category, as each of us has our own travel styles, interests, and priorities that make us enjoy different elite statuses and loyalty programs. In the end, we unified the winners for Best U.S. Airline Elite Status, Best Hotel Elite Status, and Best Loyalty Program Invest/Enhance. honored in the Award voted by the editorial board.

Here’s what we decided and why.

America’s Best Airline Elite Status

Among TPG employees, most airline elite loyalty and status programs have at least one advocate. In terms of points and miles alone, we have the highest elite status staff you can earn for each US Top 3 airline: Andrew Kunesh has Diamond PlainKyle Olsen was United Premier 1K CZK and i have American Airlines Executive Platinum.

When asked about the most valuable perks of United Premier 1K status, Kyle said:

In addition to enjoying Premium Economy seats (with up to eight companions), a phone line that rarely has a hold time of more than five minutes, and a complimentary snack and drink in economy class , every year, Premier 1K members are entitled to 320 plus points may be used in any way the member decides (for example, 16 domestic or Premium Plus upgrades, or eight long-distance Polaris upgrades).

Meanwhile, Andrew said he appreciates Delta Diamond status for the first-class upgrades it has provided him on more than half of his domestic flights this year. He says he appreciates these upgrades as a taller passenger for the extra space to work and relax.

But as you may already know, neither Delta nor United won the Editorial Award for Best Airline U.S. Airline Elite Status. This is why we chose American Airlines Executive Platinum status.

Winner: American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum

While Andrew values Free first class upgrade while flying domestically as a Delta Diamond, I won a decent number of domestic upgrades this year as an American Executive Platinum member. Executive Platinum members enjoy a complimentary upgrade to first class on American-operated and marketed flights within the United States and between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America.

Also, Kyle values ​​income Plus points to upgrade as United Premier 1K, but American loyalists can earn Loyalty Choice Reward (consists of system-wide upgrade). United’s pluses are better if you value the upgrade confirmation on shorter flights. However, system-wide upgrades are certainly better for longer journeys, as they allow you to enjoy a confirmed upgrade to the next class of service wherever roadways are available. American flight.

Each system-wide upgrade can be used for one-way travel of up to three sectors on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines. Also, now you can use system-wide upgrades on select British Airways flights when your itinerary includes at least one flight destined for the US market. Of course, in practice using PlusPoints and system-wide upgrades can be difficult.

American Executive Platinum status gets you Oneworld Emerald, Delta Diamond gets you SkyTeam Elite Plus and United Premier 1K gets you Golden Star Alliance. Each of these statuses can unlock lounge access and other perks when traveling with alliance partners in any tier of service.

When it comes to lounges, Oneworld Emerald wins due to the first-class lounge access it offers. Although Qatar Airways bypasses its alliance lounge usage policies by creating Private lounge for Oneworld touristsmost Oneworld partners allow Emerald members to use first class lounge regardless of their flight class.

Here are just some of our reviews of these lounges:

Meanwhile, Star Alliance Gold and SkyTeam Elite Plus members typically have access to lounges regardless of their flight class, but access is often not as high-quality as Oneworld Emeralds. Not to mention, Delta’s new Sky Club access policy will reduce Sky Club access for Delta Medallion members.

Finally, the AAdvantage program allows its members earn Loyalty Points for elite status in more ways than just flying. For example, you can also earn Loyalty Points through spending with an American Airlines credit cardclick through American Airlines Shopping Portal and use Simple mileage program.

Related: Last Minute Strategies to Achieve American AAdvantage Elite Status

Hotel’s most elite status

Some of the top hotel elite status tiers offer perks like free breakfast, use the lounge and upgrade the suite. When tasked with determining which show will win Hotel’s most elite status Honored, our team reached consensus with relative ease.

Winner: World of Hyatt Globalist

It is not easy to won World of Hyatt Top Globalization statusbut if you can accumulate the necessary 60 nights per calendar year, TPG staff are almost unanimously Hyatt’s Global World is the Best Hotel Elite Status.

TPG’s Summer Hull effectively wrote a love ballad when I asked her about the state of Globalization:

Hyatt Globalist, how I love you, let me count the ways. A great breakfast can cost me over $100 (buy French toast at New York’s Thompson Central Park). Late check out. More points. Good service. Great asset option.

Kyle agrees with Summer on breakfast and compares it to other programs that offer elite memberships. While you need a flowchart to understand Marriott Breakfast Benefits and Hilton now offers dining credits At hotels in the United States, Hyatt offers Globalist members access to the Club Lounge or full breakfast for each registered guest. “It’s not hard to earn more than $60 per night from this benefit at full-service hotels,” Kyle said, adding that some Hyatt properties offer complimentary in-room breakfasts. .

Meanwhile, TPG’s Ryan Smith said he believes Globalist’s concierge privilege is unparalleled. Ryan told me:

I have Diamond status with Hilton and Titanium status with Marriott, but neither of them provide the ability to contact someone who can handle things like requesting a room upgrade, notifying hotels of arrival late or answer questions I may have. Instead of searching for an email or a phone number, I just contacted one person.

I’ve also enjoyed some impressive upgrades as a Hyatt Globalist this year, including a suite at Hyatt’s Alila Fort Bishangarh in India. I appreciate that Hyatt hotels often offer Globalist upgrades prior to check-in. I also love that Hyatt Globalists is guaranteed a late check-out at 4pm at most properties.

Related: Last Minute Strategies to Achieve World of Hyatt Elite Status

Invest/Enhance the loyalty of the best hotel

There have been many changes to hotel loyalty this year, including Marriott removes award rankings and Hyatt’s investment in expanding its footprint. However, the investment and loyalty of a program makes it an easy choice for this award.

Winner: IHG One Reward

Many IHG loyalists were skeptical but still hopeful when IHG introduced it new IHG One Rewards program this April. Most of the perks of New IHG One Rewards program is out about six months ago and travelers have noticed improvements.

The new one IHG One Rewards program introduced another level of elite status (Silver Elite) and milestone rewards. The introduction of milestone rewards is particularly important as IHG loyalists can now choose perks like claimable set upgrades and annual lounge memberships when they reach Get specific milestones for the nights you stay each year.

Plus, the new program has enhanced the perks of the top Diamond Elite status to make it competitive with other programs. top loyalty program. Diamond Elite members can now choose breakfast for two as a welcome feature at full-service brands. Platinum Elite and Diamond Elite members now also have more opportunities to get a free room upgrade. Additionally, all members can request late payment until 2pm, although this is based on availability.

However, the IHG One Rewards program is far from perfect. I’d prefer more modest requirements for top-tier Diamond Elite status (currently you need more elite-eligibility nights for IHG Diamond Elite than for World of Hyatt Globalist). I want IHG to provide Guaranteed late check out at 4pm for Diamond Elite members.

But even with these downsides, IHG One Rewards easily claims the title of Best Hotel Investment/Loyalty Enhancement for 2022.

Related: Last Minute Strategies to Win IHG One Rewards Elite Status

Every traveler appreciates different aspects of elite status and loyalty programs. Just because we awarded Best Hotel Elite Status to Hyatt’s World Globalist and the title of Best US Airline Elite Status to American Airlines Executive Platinum doesn’t mean these are necessarily the elite statuses for you. Similarly, you may not get much value from IHG One Rewards even though it has won the Best Hotel Loyalty/Investment/Enhancement award.

For example, you should consider how efficiently an airline connects your home airport to your frequent destinations before deciding to join its loyalty program. Also, you won’t want to choose to stay with a hotel program if it doesn’t offer hotels you like in places you frequent.