As we’re a little past the middle of 2022, I thought I’d share what my airline and hotel status goals are for the year, and my progress to hitting these statuses.
Everyone has different programmes that work best for them. Choice of loyalty programmes depend on travel patterns and for many, on corporate agreements as well. As my travel nowadays is usually self-funded, I’m not constrained by corporate agreements.
When selecting my primary loyalty programmes, I will consider a few factors:
- How much flying/nights/stays can I reasonably accrue based on my forecasted travel plans?
- Which programmes have sufficient coverage/footprint to fit those plans?
- From point 1, what programme gives the most benefits for that level of activity? This is more relevant in the context of hotels.
It’s often a very dynamic decision. For example, if I feel like will only clock 30 nights in a hotel, then Hilton Gold may give me more of the benefits I value compared to Marriott Bonovy Gold or World of Hyatt Explorist. On the other hand, if I foresee clocking 50 nights, then with Bonvoy I could hit Platinum but on Hilton that would still only give me Gold normally (not counting 2022 qualification requirements reductions). In that scenario, Bonvoy Platinum gives much better benefits than Honors Gold. Thus there’s no straightforward answer to what’s the right status, and the programme that works for me in one year may not be the best the next year.
For 2022, these are the statuses I currently have, what I’m planning to achieve for the rest of the year and my progress towards these goals.
Airline Programmes
Krisflyer
Current Status: Krisflyer Elite Gold
As a Singaporean and based in Singapore, Krisflyer is primary programme of choice given that well, I fly Singapore Airlines most often. As such, I’ve held Krisflyer Elite Gold (KFEG) status since 2019. I first earned it through a strategic mix of cheap Business Class deals and some ultra long haul Premium Economy flying on Singapore Airlines’ non-stop US routes. Back in pre-Covid days, the nonstop US routes in Premium Economy represented some of the best miles accrued per dollar spend. Assuming of course, you’re willing stomach 15 to 18 hours in Premium Economy.
While SIA typically treats KFEG as second-class citizens compared to PPS, it works well enough for me. I value lounge access most as a benefit, and KFEG gives me that. Though in Singapore it only gets me into the Krisflyer Gold Lounge when not flying First/Business. However in Europe where the Lufthansa Group lounges are dominant, as Star Alliance Gold I get access to the Senator lounges, which are one step up from the Business Class lounges.
Upgrades are almost unheard of for KFEGs, however in Jan 2020 I was very fortunate to get an op-up from Premium Economy to Business on the NRT-LAX leg of SQ12, due to overbooking. So in that respect, I have gotten some unexpected benefits from the status.
The other benefit I value most is priority baggage tagging, even when flying Economy.
My KFEG membership year ends on March each year. For the year ending 31 March 2022, Singapore Airlines have already extended my status until March 2023 as part of their support measures. Thanks to last “Unlock Status Credits without Flying” they ran which ended in Feb 2022, I have also have enough Elite miles to keep my status until March 2024. If I intend to KFEG beyond March 2024, then I will need to start accruing from April 2023 onwards. I will probably make that decision early in 2023. For now, I will enjoy my ‘free’ year of not having to think about accruing Elite miles.
Conclusion: On track and noting to worry about until after March 2023
Outside Star Alliance
I’m throwing all other airline programmes into one section here. Thanks to the ‘free’ year of not having to focus on KF Elite miles, I was hoping to try and earn Oneworld Sapphire equivalent status on a Oneworld carrier. When I forecast my travel for the year, that had looked most likely to be British Airways. Unfortunately a reshuffle of travel plans means I likely won’t hit the minimum number of BA sectors. Another possible option had been through Alaska Mileage Plan, but again the minimum sectors may prove a stumbling block.
Thus unless my travel plans for the rest of 2022 evolve drastically, Oneworld status isn’t likely to happen.
As for Skyteam status, its member carriers are the ones I fly the least. In fact, I fly Skyteam carriers so little that I don’t even have a membership on any of their frequent flyer programmes. Again, unless something drastic changes with my travel plans, Skyteam status won’t happen.
Conclusion: Unfortunately not working out. Will not actively chase for remainder of 2022.
Hotel Programmes
Hilton Honors
Current Status: Diamond
Hilton Honors has been my primary programme since just before Covid-19 hit. Thanks to a combination of rollover nights and double status credits promotion, I earned Honors Diamond status in 2021. With the reduced qualification requirements for 2022 and rollover of 2021 nights, I intend to requalify for Diamond in 2022.
For 2022, I need either: 42 nights, 21 stay or 84,000 Base Points. I’m currently on 31 nights/10 stays/approx 50,000 Base Points. With my current stay pattern and travel plans, I’m expecting to hit the 42 night requirement before either of the other criteria. I will likely achieve this by end November at the latest.
With Honors Diamond, the main benefits for me are the breakfast (or less useful credit in the USA), lounge access and upgrades, though the latter benefit tends to be hit and miss. Once the qualification requirements likely revert to normal for 2023, I will likely reconsider my position on Hilton Honors then.
Conclusion: On track to requalify for Diamond in 2022.
Marriott Bonvoy
Current Status: Silver
Starwood Preferred Guest was my primary hotel programme prior to 2020, where I had Gold status. This then translated to Marriott Gold, and then Bonvoy Gold when the Marriott/Starwood integration completed. In 2019 I had already started to ease off my Bonvoy dependence, thus Gold eventually became Silver.
For 2022, as mentioned my focus is still securing my Honors Diamond, thus Bonvoy remains out of the picture. However, at the moment I am actually leaning towards returning to Bonvoy in 2023. Bonvoy Platinum confers many of the benefits I value most in Honors Diamond, for lesser nights. Ultimately, it will depend how many nights I reasonably foresee accruing for the year.
Conclusion: Not maintaining/chasing status
GHA Discovery
Current: Platinum
Curiously, I have actually been a member of GHA longer than any other hotel loyalty programme (since 2013). I have never taken it seriously though, as the GHA footprint never really fit my needs. However the programme changes announced in December 2021 opened up an interesting and easy way to earn status. By staying at 3 unique brands within the GHA portfolio, one could earn top-tier GHA Titanium status. This is remarkably easy way to earn status, particular for Asia-based members where GHA has a relatively large footprint.
That was what tipped me in favour of staying at the Avani+ Mai Khao in Phuket back in March. That counted as my first brand, and after a subsequent stay at an Oaks in Melbourne, I’m now one brand away from Titanium. I already have plans to hit this by end August.
Looking ahead to 2023, it’s unlikely I’ll actively try to requalify for GHA Titanium despite the easy requirements. If the GHA hotels end up working for my needs and budget, then I may go for it.
Conclusion: On track for Titanium by end August
IHG One Rewards
Current Status: Platinum
I hold IHG One Rewards Platinum status by virtue of previously paying for Intercontinental Ambassador. While I didn’t renew my Ambassador membership when it expired at the end of 2021, IHG extended all elite statuses until February 2023. Even with the revamped IHG One, the progamme and the hotel portfolio isn’t sufficiently tempting for me to consider shifting loyalty to IHG.
While I don’t currently have stay plans for IHG brands, I do have a substantial stash of points. These were mostly purchased during a couple of sales in 2020. I had concrete plans for these points, unfortunately travel reopening took longer than expected. In all likelihood, I will start to burn through some of these points soon. In that scenario, I will probably want to still have Platinum status. The easiest to have that is to purchase Intercontinental Ambassador membership again (if my Platinum has lapsed). However, I will hold off “extending” my IHG Platinum status until I have concrete plans for using up points balance.
Conclusion: Hold IHG Platinum for my next IHG stay- whenever that is – through Intercontinental Ambassador
Conclusion
In general, I am on track for keeping/ achieving the statuses that I do want to have. The strategies are in place based around my organic travel plans, and I have no need to ‘manufacture’ extra flying or stays. My only regret is not working out a strategy for earning Oneworld status this year, when I’m free for once from the shackles of Krisflyer. There’s still half a year to change that, but at the moment it doesn’t look likely.
What loyalty programme status do you have or are aiming to achieve in 2022? What are some of your strategies to earn status? Let me know in the comments!