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I am almost done traveling this year. My travel is still down and likely will never be what it was pre-pandemic. That said, I finished qualifying for almost everything I wanted to earlier this week.
I started a new job in February and have had business trips a few times a month. November was particularly busy. For fun and work, I’ve taken trips to Bucharest, Budapest, Luxembourg, Paris, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, Salt Lake City, and Toronto. At the end of each quarter, I like to check to see how I’m pacing and to review if the goals I set in the beginning of the year still seem attainable. Since I only have one more short trip planned this year, here are my Q4 2023/almost full year stats:
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles®
Current Status: Platinum Medallion®
Goal: Diamond Medallion®
Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs): 128,251
Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs): $28,361
I surpassed the 125,000 MQMs and $20,000 MQDs to reach Diamond Medallion®. I have one more Delta flight from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to LaGuardia Airport, but have already reached my goal.
Prediction: I made Diamond Medallion® as desired last week.
United Airlines MileagePlus
Current Status: Premier 1K®
Goal: Premier 1K®
Current Premier Qualifying Flights (PQFs): 30
Current Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs): 16,196
18,000 PQPs and 54 PQFs or 24,000 PQPs are needed to reach Premier 1K®. I flew enough to reach Premier Platinum® and I’m fine with that. I knew going in that since am a Million Miler, I wouldn’t drop below Premier Gold®. I always buy First/Business Class, so the perks were limited and I have shifted so much flying to Delta. I’m happy I reached Premier Platinum® and will fly United likely even less in 2024.
Prediction: I was right that I did not reach Premier 1K® and will drop to Premier Platinum®.
Spirit Airlines Free Spirit®
Current Status: Free Spirit Gold
Goal: Free Spirit Gold
Current Status Qualifying Points (SQPs): N/A
I earned the status through a status match and it’s good until December 2024. I wanted to try Spirit, so I flew from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Tampa International Airpot (TPA). I then learned that Spirit flew direct from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). I had to be there for a business trip, so I booked that roundtrip. Those three flights, including fees for the Big Front Seats, were enough to qualify for the challenge I had entered.
Prediction: I flew Spirit a few more times, but the status was already locked in. I’ll have Free Spirit Gold in 2024.
World of Hyatt®
Current Status: Globalist
Goal: Globalist
Current Qualifying Nights: 60
I hit 60 nights in November. I have two more nights coming up this month.
Prediction: I retained Globalist status.
Marriott Bonvoy®
Current Status: Titanium Elite
Goal: Titanium Elite
Current Qualifying Nights: 78
I have stayed at 30 nights at Marriott properties in 2023. I received 25 nights from holding the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, 15 nights from the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, and eight nights from some promos. I spent a good number of nights and maintained Titanium thanks to the credit card nights above. I am Lifetime Platinum Elite, so I knew no matter what that I wouldn’t go below that level. I was Ambassador pretty much since it was introduced by SPG. The program has been diluted so much that I no longer strive for this level with its minimal benefits above Titanium Elite.
Prediction: I retained Titanium Elite.
Hilton Honors
Current Status: Gold
Goal: Goal
Current Qualifying Nights: 6
I hold Gold status with Hilton Honors as a benefit from having The Platinum Card® from American Express. I stayed six nights this year at Crockfords Las Vegas, LXR Hotels & Resorts (review here), Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World (review here), Hilton Heathrow Airport (review here), and the Conrad Las Vegas at Resorts World (review here).
Prediction: I’ll retain Gold status from carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Anthony’s Take: I reached the levels I cared most about with Delta, Hyatt, and Marriott. United was going to be under and I’m okay with dropping to Premier Platinum®.
Anthony’s Credit Card Picks: When I’m staying at a Marriott hotel, I want to maximize my points earned. My card of choice is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. With it, I earn six Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. It also includes up to $300 statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month ) for dining in restaurants worldwide. Plus, a free night award that I can redeem at any Marriott hotel with a redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points. Rates & fees. Terms apply.
I love the lounges where The Platinum Card® from American Express grants me access. It has had a prominent place in my wallet for many years now. While it does have an annual fee of $695, it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion Lounges) and booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year). Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.
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