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Airline elite status is a great way to reduce the fees you pay and improve your flying experience. Perks range from waived checked bag fees to airport lounge access, early boarding and free upgrades. Traditionally, the way to earn status is to fly frequently with a specific airline and its partners. However, that's not the only way.
Most of the major airlines offer a path to elite status without flying if you simply open and spend on a co-branded airline credit card. Some airlines also let you make progress toward earning elite status through other activities, like shopping online and dining out.
CNBC Select has details on how to earn airline status without even setting foot on an airplane, which mostly revolves around finding the right travel credit card.
How to earn airline status without flying
American Airlines
American Airlines offers four tiers of elite status, plus an invitation-only level. Depending on the status level, perks can include free checked bags, priority check-in, airport lounge access and upgrades, which even apply to award flights and flights operated by Alaska Airlines. The program offers many ways to earn elite status beyond just flying and credit card spending.
You earn American Airlines status by accumulating Loyalty Points, and you earn one Loyalty Point for every eligible AAdvantage® mile you earn. These are the current status requirements:
- AAdvantage Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
When you make purchases with an American Airlines credit card, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® or Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®, you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar. You don't earn Loyalty Points from any bonus spending categories or from the cards' intro bonuses.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is worth considering if you fly with American Airlines once or twice a year because you'll get your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
- First checked bag free on eligible American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four travel companions on the same reservation
- No foreign transaction fees
- Preferred boarding
- American Airlines Flight Discount has a high spending requirement
- Has an annual fee
You can also earn Loyalty Points and miles when you shop with an eligible American Airlines partner. This includes transactions you make through the American Airlines shopping portal and with cards linked to AAdvantage SimplyMiles®, as well as rental cars, hotels and cruises you book through American Airlines and its partners. You can also earn Loyalty Points through the AAdvantage DiningSM program, completing "Miles for Opinions" surveys and more.
Delta
Delta revamped its elite status program for 2024 and moving forward. Now, you earn status solely based on how many Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) you earn in a year. The tier requirements are as follows:
- Silver Medallion: 5,000 MQDs
- Gold Medallion: 10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: 15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: 28,000 MQDs
Delta Medallion elite status members can take advantage of benefits, such as seat upgrades, free checked bags, priority boarding and Choice Benefits (like upgrade certificates and Sky Club® memberships and travel vouchers) at the higher levels.
Delta cardholders earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. That rate improves to 1 MQD per $10 spent on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
SkyMiles Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders also receive a 2,500 MQD boost each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to status with MQD Headstart. This MQD boost is per card, so you can stack the boosts if you have multiple cards that earn the bonus. For example, if you have the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, you'll earn a 5,000-MQD bonus.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card can help turn your business expenses into Delta miles and elite status credit.
- Annual Companion Certificate for flights within the U.S. or to Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean (every year after renewal; Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.)
- Over $400 in annual statement credit offers
- Global Entry application fee statement credit of $120 every four years or a TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit of up to $85 every 4.5 years (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Lacks key travel insurance perks
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
- Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
- Your first checked bag flies free on international and domestic Delta flights. And now, your second checked bag flies free on domestic Delta flights too.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- With the $120 Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits at over 10,000 qualifying U.S Resy restaurants for eligible purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- See Rates & Fees
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card's array of premium benefits make it a perfect fit for the most loyal Delta flyers, including elite status boosts, rideshare credits (enrollment required) and airport lounge access.
- Access to airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges
- Up to $560 in annual statement credits (Enrollment may be required)
- 15% discount for eligible Delta award flights (Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
- High annual fee
- No bonus spending categories outside of Delta purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases.
- Global Dining Access by Resy gives you special access to sought-after U.S. Resy restaurants when you add your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy.com or the Resy app.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment Required.
- Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
United
United MileagePlus Premier status includes benefits such as complimentary checked bags, bonus miles on airfare, lounge access on eligible itineraries, seat upgrades and more. You qualify for status by earning Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) or a combination of a lower PQP threshold and a certain number of Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF).
United's status tier requirements are:
- Premier Silver: 15 PQF and 5,000 PQP, or 6,000 PQPs
- Premier Gold: 30 PQF and 10,000 PQP, or 12,000 PQPs
- Premier Platinum: 45 PQF and 15,000 PQP, or 18,000 PQPs
- Premier 1K: 60 PQF and 22,000 PQP, or 28,000 PQPs
You can earn PQPs by spending on many United Airlines credit cards, but how many you can earn per card varies. You can earn up to 1 PQP per $20 you spend on an eligible card (1 PQP per $15 on the United Club℠ Card and United Club℠ Business Card), and each card has an annual cap of up to 28,000 PQP in a calendar year.
On the low end, you can earn up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year with cards such as the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) and up to 4,000 PQPs with the United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees).
The United℠ Explorer Card is worth it even if you only fly with United Airlines once or twice a year because you can take advantage of two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and you can receive free checked bags.
- No annual fee for the first year
- Unlocks upgrades for elite members on award flights
- Two free United Club airport lounge passes every year
- Valuable United Airlines perks, such as in-flight purchase discounts and the ability to earn elite status credit through credit card spending
- First checked bag free benefit requires you to pay for the flight with the card
- United Airlines has a dynamic award chart which can limit the value and flexibility of your miles
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
Southwest
Southwest has a simple elite status program with two tiers, which you can earn without flying by accumulating tier-qualifying points (TQPs):
- A-List: 35,000 TQPs, or 20 flights
- A-List Preferred: 70,000 TQPs, or 40 flights
A-List members receive benefits such as priority boarding and bonus points on paid flights.
Outside of flying with Southwest, you can earn TQPs by making qualifying purchases with certain Southwest credit cards. Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card earn TQP for every $5,000 spent on the card (2,000 for the Premier and 2,500 for the Priority). You can earn an unlimited number of TQPs through credit card spending.
Southwest also offers its popular Companion Pass, which is essentially an unlimited two-for-one flight pass for any paid and award tickets (minus taxes and fees). The Companion Pass can be earned by accumulating 135,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points, or 100 flights.
All co-branded Southwest cards automatically earn 10,000 Companion Pass-qualifying points each calendar year. Plus, the points earned from the Southwest card welcome bonuses and card spending count toward Companion Pass qualification.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is a perfect fit for serious Southwest fans who can easily maximize its benefits like upgraded boardings and an annual travel credit.
- Valuable welcome bonus
- 7,500 bonus points every card member anniversary
- $75 annual Southwest travel credit
- Limited value when you're not traveling with Southwest
- High annual fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 7,500 anniversary points each year.
- Earn 4 points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines® purchases, including flights, inflight, and Southwest gift cards.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 you spend at gas stations and restaurants
- First checked bag free for Cardmembers and up to 8 additional passengers in the same reservation.
- Select a Preferred seat at booking, at no additional charge, when available.
- Cardmembers and up to 8 passengers in the same reservation will board with Group 5 giving them earlier access to overhead bins.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is Southwest's mid-tier card and is valuable if you regularly travel to or from destinations Southwest serves.
- 6,000 bonus points on each account anniversary
- Rapid Rewards Points never expire
- Travel protections
- Limited value when you're not traveling with Southwest
- $149 annual fee
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
Following the announcement of Alaska merging with Hawaiian Airlines, the airlines combined their two loyalty programs into one, creating Atmos™ Rewards. Currently, members earn status points based on the distance traveled on their award flights booked with Atmos Rewards points. Starting later in 2026, the program will offer three ways to earn both redeemable points and status points:
- Distance traveled: Earn points based on your distance flown, with 1 point for every mile traveled
- Price paid: Earn points based on the amount you paid for your flights, 5 points for every $1 spent
- Segments flown: Earn points based on the number of individual segments flown, a flat 500 points for each
You can select the earning option that works best for your flying habits, but you can only change your preference once per year. "Points" can be redeemed for several rewards, like award travel and hotel stays, while "Status points" are not redeemable but track your annual progress toward milestone rewards and elite status.
The Atmos Rewards status tiers are as follows:
- Atmos™ Silver: 20,000 Status points
- Atmos™ Gold: 40,000 Status points
- Atmos™ Platinum: 75,000 Status points (rising to 80,000 status points in 2026)
- Atmos™ Titanium: 100,000 Status points (rising to135,000 status points in 2026)
Purchases across both Atmos and Hawaiian Airlines credit cards earn you Atmos points, with no limit to the amount you can earn each year.
The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Card offers a limited-time welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus miles and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,000 in the first 90 days (alongside 10,000 status points each account anniversary).
The Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® offers 60,000 Bonus Atmos Rewards points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days, and an annual $100 companion discount for eligible flights.
- Annual 25k Global Companion Award
- Fee waivers for partner awards and same-day changes
- Earns valuable miles
- High annual fee
- Lounge passes are limited to two per quarter
Information about the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard®
Rewards
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Hawaiian Airlines purchases; 2 miles per dollar spent on gas, dining and eligible grocery store purchases; 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases.
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Annual fee
$99
Intro APR
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.
Regular APR
20.24% to 29.99% Variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Good / Excellent
Terms apply.
Pros
- Earns valuable miles because of the merger with Alaska Airlines
- One-time 50% companion discount
- Valuable welcome bonus
- Free checked bags on eligible flights
Cons
- Has an annual fee
- High credit score requirement
JetBlue
JetBlue Mosaic elite status is broken down into four tiers, which you progress through by earning tiles:
- Mosaic 1: 50 tiles
- Mosaic 2: 100 tiles
- Mosaic 3: 150 tiles
- Mosaic 4: 250 tiles
Entry-level Mosaic 1 status grants you two free checked bags, up to three free drinks per flight (beer, wine, liquor) and priority boarding. However, starting Feb. 1, 2026, JetBlue will make changes to its Mosaic program. Mosaic 3 and 4 members will earn additional TrueBlue points on JetBlue spending, while Mosaic 1 members will receive just one checked bag. For all Mosaic's, only the first alcoholic beverage is complimentary within the U.S. and west of the Atlantic, instead of three.
Higher tiers unlock additional perks, like Mint upgrade certificates and pet fee waivers.
When you're not flying, you'll earn 1 tile per $100 spent on JetBlue vacation packages and 1 tile per $1,000 spent on any JetBlue credit card, including the JetBlue Card and JetBlue Plus Card. This means you can reach basic Mosaic 1 status with $50,000 in card spending per year, or top-tier status with $250,000 in card spending per year.
JetBlue Card
Rewards
3X points per dollar spent on eligible JetBlue purchases; 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores; 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on the card in the first 90 days.
Annual fee
$0
Intro APR
Eligible balance transfers that post to your account in the first 45 days of account opening qualify for 0% introductory APR for the first twelve billing cycles, then a 20.24% to 29.99%, APR applies.
Regular APR
20.24% to 29.99% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
None
Terms apply
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Intro-APR offer for balance transfers
Cons
- No free checked bags
- Fewer partner airlines to redeem points with compared to other major frequent flyer programs
JetBlue Plus Card
Rewards
6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases; 2X points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores; 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on the card and pay the annual fee in the first 90 days.
Annual fee
$99
Intro APR
0% APR on eligible balance transfers that post to account within 45 days of account opening, for the first 12 billing cycles; 19.49% to 29.49% variable thereafter depending on creditworthiness
Regular APR
19.49% to 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
Pros
- 5,000 bonus points on your account anniversary
- 10% rebate on JetBlue award flight redemptions
- First checked bag free for you and up to three companions
- 50% off in-flight purchases
Cons
- $99 annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
FAQs
What's the easiest way to earn airline status?
If you don't fly frequently, the easiest way to earn status is generally by spending with the airline's co-branded credit card. When you have an airline credit card that helps you earn elite status, your non-travel purchases can move you closer to the next status tier.
Can you earn status by flying other airlines?
You can earn miles and elite status credit for your preferred airline when you fly eligible partner airlines. This can be with alliance partner airlines and non-alliance partners. Just be sure to credit the flight to the frequent flyer account you want to earn status with.
Is airline status worth it?
Even for the occasional flyer, elite status perks can save you money. You'll typically be able to take advantage of perks such as priority check-in, free checked bags, bonus miles on paid flights and upgrades.
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For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
Information about the United Club℠ Card, United Club℠ Business Card and United℠ Business Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
