Speaking of Oneworld, American and Aer Lingus are deepening their partnership by allowing members to enjoy reciprocal perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and lounge access for AAdvantage elite status cardholders.
Take note, Delta loyalists: You have the chance to convert your rollover miles to MQDs for elite status in the next year or redeemable miles, but that choice must be made before the end of the year.
And fair warning for United fliers: United MileagePlus has raised the hurdles for status yet again, making it more difficult to rake in the top benefits. For example, to reach the highest Premier 1K status, you will need to accrue 28,000 PQP (Premier Qualifying Points) or a combination of 22,000 PQPs and 60 Premier Qualifying Flights. For reference, it used to be only 24,000 PQPs to reach top status. Luckily, the airline is giving everyone a PQP boost on February 1 to get them started (the amount varies based on your elite status tier).
No word on other changes from American or Delta just yet, but they are surely coming. That’s why it is wise to keep an eye on your mileage expiration dates; they won’t expire as long as you have activity in your account at least once in the past 24 months.
Don’t forget to max out those end-of-year benefits
Many loyalty programs allow travelers to choose special perks once they reach certain thresholds, and credit cards often pile on credits and rebates that need to be used by the end of the year, too. This is your boarding call for a quick check of all of your memberships and credit cards to make sure you get what you deserve.
For example, The Platinum Card from American Express offers two $50 credits to Saks Fifth Avenue and a $200 credit to be used towards airline spending each year. Have you used yours? They expire at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day.
If you have JetBlue Mosaic status, which comes with upgrade certificates and Blade helicopter credits, now is the time to redeem them. Both will expire at the end of the year (and the Blade partnership will not be coming back in 2025).
