When does airline elite status expire?

4 weeks ago 13

Qualifying for and maintaining airline elite status is usually a yearly endeavor unless you have lifetime elite status. As we approach the end of 2024, it's worth checking that your status qualification requirements are squared away.

It's possible to earn status at any point throughout the year, and each loyalty program is different. So, as the year ends, you might wonder, "When does my airline status expire?" In this guide, we'll discuss when airline elite status expires for several major U.S. airline loyalty programs.

Airline elite status basics

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

Qualification period: How long you have to earn the elite status
Membership term: How long you keep elite status once you earn it

Most major U.S. airlines use a calendar year as their qualification period. However, there is one notable exception. Following American Airlines' switch to Loyalty Points in March 2022, the qualification period for AAdvantage is now March 1 through Feb. 28 (or Feb. 29) of the following year.

Once you've qualified, the other set of dates to understand is the membership term. Membership terms vary slightly from airline to airline, but they describe the period during which your elite status is valid.

If you're starting from scratch, you may want to try to qualify early within your qualification period. Doing so can maximize how long you'll enjoy your elite benefits. Now, let's take a more detailed look at the elite status expiration policies of several U.S. airline loyalty programs.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan elite status typically expires on the Dec. 31 following the calendar year you earned your status.

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For example, if you qualify for MVP Gold in November 2024, your status will be valid through Dec. 31, 2025.

American Airlines AAdvantage

As mentioned above, American Airlines AAdvantage switched to Loyalty Points in March 2022. Now, Loyalty Points are how you earn American Airlines elite status. The Loyalty Points posted to your account for the 12 months starting March 1 of each year determine your status tier.

The status qualification year starts March 1 and runs through the last day of February. However, once you earn elite status with AAdvantage, your membership term is through March 31 after your qualification year ends. So the Loyalty Points you earn between March 1, 2024, and Feb. 28, 2025, will get you status through March 31, 2026.

It is possible to qualify for American elite status with credit card spending. As such, some of the best American Airlines cards — including the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) — have become increasingly more important for American Airlines elite members.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Delta Medallion elite status is typically valid for 13 months following the calendar year you earned the status. For example, if you earn status in 2024, your status will expire Jan. 31, 2026.

Delta also has a Reclaim My Status program that may be helpful if a qualifying life event causes you to lose status or earn a lower status. If approved, Reclaim My Status gives you back your status from the previous Medallion year for three months, during which you must meet a specific Medallion Qualification Dollar threshold on qualifying Delta flights.

JetBlue TrueBlue

JetBlue Mosaic status is valid through the end of the calendar year after which you qualify. For example, if you earn Mosaic status in November 2024, it'll be valid through Dec. 31, 2025.

Related: How to get upgraded on JetBlue

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Southwest offers the famed Companion Pass, but this perk isn't an elite status. However, Southwest does offer two elite tiers: A-List and A-List Preferred. A-List, A-List Preferred and the Companion Pass are generally valid for the year in which you earn them and one full calendar year afterward.

If you have your eye on the Companion Pass, you should try to qualify as early in the year as possible to get close to two full years of free companion flights. However, Southwest occasionally offers promotional Companion Passes or promotional elite status with different expiration dates.

United Airlines MileagePlus

United uses the term "program year" to refer to the timeline in which your United MileagePlus elite status is valid. The program year with United Airlines runs through Jan. 31 of the following year. Thus, your status is good for the year you earn it, all of the following year and a month into the next year.

Bottom line

Earning airline elite status can unlock many perks. To reap the benefits from the hard work required to achieve status with an airline, you want to know when your status is valid and when it will expire. This knowledge will help you maximize your status and prepare for the next year of qualifying for status.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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