The importance of monitoring your elite status progress — even if you're not actively pursuing it

I've never been one to pursue elite status. As a budget traveler, my choices for flights and hotels are primarily based on price, not brand loyalty. Because of this, I've largely ignored the elite status trackers in my apps... and that has cost me my elite status for next year.

After a recent flight with American Airlines, I discovered that I'm going to fall short of gold elite status by less than 3,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs). I reached the required Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD) threshold through work travel, and I'm quite close to meeting the EQM requirement.

While I don't see gold elite status as worth a last-minute mileage run before the holidays, realizing I was so close to achieving it might have influenced my strategy on my recent work flights.

Just last week, I traveled with Delta from New York City to Phoenix, Arizona, for a work retreat. I could have just as easily chosen American Airlines (in fact, many of my coworkers did). That round-trip flight alone might have been enough to push me past the EQM threshold for gold elite status.

Losing gold elite status for 2022 isn't catastrophic. While TPG estimates AAdvantage gold elite status to be worth $855, I wouldn’t use the benefits often enough to justify that value. I rarely check a bag, I receive priority boarding on work trips, and given my flying out of New York, I would hardly ever get upgraded over higher-tier elites.

The only perks I would likely utilize regularly are complimentary access to preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats.

Nonetheless, it would have taken just one minor flight change on my part to achieve status for next year, had I only paid attention to the elite status tracker on my American Airlines app earlier this year.

This scenario could easily apply to elite status with other brands as well — like Explorist status with Hyatt.

I was taken aback to discover that I achieved Discoverist status with Hyatt earlier this year, as I never really paid attention. I'm also not far from reaching Explorist. Had I known I was close to that next tier of status—offering a 20% point bonus on stays and room upgrades—I definitely would have made a more intentional effort to stay at Hyatts during my recent trips, avoiding the need for a mattress run.

As we approach the year's end, it's time for the elite status clocks to reset for 2022 and beyond. Even if you’re not someone who actively seeks elite status, it’s wise to monitor your loyalty apps throughout the year. You might find yourself closer to achieving status than you expect, and making a few minor adjustments in your choice of airlines or hotel brands could help you secure status for 2023.