When does airline elite status expire?

Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Unless you have lifetime elite statusairline eligibility and retention process elite status usually an annual endeavor. As we near the end of 2022, you should check that your status criteria requirements are squared.

However, since status can be obtained at any time of the year, one question you might ask as the year ends is, “When does my airline status actually expire?”

In this guide, I’ll discuss when airline elite status expires for each of the major American loyalty programs.

Airline Elite Status Basics

To fully understand when your airline elite status expires, you should consider two sets of dates:

• Exam time: How long does it take you to earn elite status?
• Membership term: How long do you keep elite status after earning it.

Most major US airlines use a calendar year as their review period. However, there is one notable exception. With Americans turning to Loyalty Points in March 2022, the eligibility period for AAdvantage is from March 1 to February 28 (or February 29) of the following year.

Most airlines offer multiple ways – or more than one requirement – to earn elite status. For example, to earn Gold status with Delta Air Lines this year, you need to earn 50,000 Certificate Miles (MQM) or 60 Medals between January 1 and December 31, 2022. However, if you’re in the US, you’ll also need earned 6,000 Qualified Dollar Medals (MQD) in the same time period.

Once you’ve qualified, the other set of dates to understand is the membership period. This varies slightly between airlines but describes the length of time your elite status is in effect. Typically, your membership begins when you’re eligible, lasts for the rest of that calendar year, and continues for the entire next calendar year. However, as mentioned above, some carriers do not use the calendar year qualifying period.

If you are starting from scratch, you may want to try to qualify early in your eligibility period. By doing so, you can maximize the time you will enjoy your elite benefits.

Let’s now take a more detailed look at the elite status expiration policies of some US airline loyalty programs.

Related: Credit cards that can help you win airline elite status

Alaska Airlines

Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Program Elite Status usually expires on December 31 of the year following the year in which you earned your status.

For example, if you achieve your Gold 2023 MVP certification in October 2022, your status will be valid through December 31, 2023.

Related: 6 ways the Alaska Mileage Plan can improve and remains one of the best frequent flyer programs

American Airlines

As mentioned above, American Airlines A Pros Switch to Loyalty Points in March 2022. This is the new way to get Advantage status. Your status is determined by Loyalty Points posted to your account over a 12-month period commencing March 1 of each year.

The status review year starts on March 1st and lasts until the last day of February. This means that in 2023, your status counter will reset on March 1, 2023 and will runs until the end of February 29, 2024.

Also from this year, you can Qualify for American elite status from just spending with a credit card. Thus, some best American Airlines cardconsists of Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp cardwill become increasingly important to American Airlines loyalists.

Related: How to Double Your 2022 Elite Bonus with an American Airlines Credit Card

Delta Airlines

Delta Medal Elite Status usually valid until January 31 of the year following the calendar year in which you earned the status. However, in the past Delta Extended Elite Status.

For those who achieved status in the 2020 or 2021 status years, your status will expire on January 31, 2023.

It’s important to note that Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion travelers also have a choice period Choice benefits. Usually, these deadlines are the same as when your status expires.

Delta also has a program called Redefine My Status, a Delta Medallion Benefit that gets you back into status. However, some basic requirements must be met to be eligible.

Related: No miles for you! Be careful when Delta changes its basic economic rules again

JetBlue

JetBlue has only one real tier of elite status: Mosaic. JetBlue Mosaic Status valid until the end of the calendar year after which you are eligible.

JetBlue has introduced an interim tier for 2022, called Mosaic+. If you are able to achieve Mosaic+ in 2022, you will only have these benefits until December 31, 2022. The program is still temporary but there may be a chance that JetBlue will roll out the changes. more permanent change.

Also, JetBlue is one of the few airlines that allows you to win the top spot without flying. With enough of your spending JetBlue Plus Card or JetBlue business cardyou can earn Mosaic status from home.

Information on JetBlue Plus and JetBlue Business Cards has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Is airline elite status still worth it?

Southwest Airlines

Southwest offers these Companion card, but this privilege is not an elite status. However, Southwest offers two elite tiers: A-list and A-list take precedence.

A-List, A-List Preferred and Companion card are generally valid in the year in which you earn them as well as a full calendar year thereafter.

If you’ve got your eye on the Companion Pass, you should try to qualify as early in the year as possible to get almost two full years of free companion flights. Note, however, that sometimes Southwest offers Promotional companion card or promotional elite status with different expiration dates.

Related: 3 TPG employees reveal their favorite elite perks

United Airlines

United uses the term “program year” to refer to the time that United MileagePlus Elite Status is valid. The five programs with United Airlines run through January 31 next year. So your status is good for the year you earn it, all the year after, and one month into the next year.

United also has PlusPoints, which are awarded at United Platinum status level or higher and used to confirm upgrades. All PlusPoints that expire on January 31, 2023, will automatically be renewed for an additional six months.

Related: I achieved airline elite status for the first time – and I’ll never go back

Income airline elite status can unlock many perks. To enjoy the benefits of the hard work required to earn status with an airline, you need to make sure you know when your status is valid and when your status expires. term.

This will help prepare you for the following year to qualify for the status.

But it is essential to understand how long you will keep your status. It is important to log into your account and read any announcements from the airline to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Ryan Smith and Katie Genter.