Airline elite status now follows your spending: what United, Southwest, Delta and American require

Spending is the new qualifier

Top-tier status at Delta Diamond Medallion can be reached with $255,000 in spending on one credit card, and that is the direction major U.S. airlines are heading, which affects every frequent flyer chasing elite status ^[1]. Airlines are shifting elite status qualification from flight frequency to total spending, including spending at merchants via cobranded cards ^[1].

Two of the four largest U.S. carriers overhauled their loyalty programs in the period this article covers ^[1]. This piece walks through what each program now asks of you.

What United and Southwest changed

Starting in 2027, United's top elite members will be the customers who spend the most money, either on flights or on United's cobranded credit cards ^[1]. Taking the most United flights will not necessarily translate to the highest MileagePlus status ^[1]. United still requires a minimum of four United-operated flights for members to be Premier-eligible ^[1].

Jarad Fisher, United's president of MileagePlus, said the program aims to keep United top of mind for members every day, whether or not they are on board its aircraft ^[1].

At Southwest, every dollar members charge to their Rapid Rewards cards will count toward status beginning in 2027 ^[1]. Every dollar spent on a Rapid Rewards credit card will earn one TQP ^[2].

Southwest's new tiers

Silver status requires 35,000 TQPs or 25 qualifying one-way flights, which is 5 more flights than A-List previously required ^[2]. Gold requires 65,000 TQPs or 50 qualifying one-way flights, which is 5,000 fewer TQPs but 10 more flights than A-List Preferred previously required ^[2].

Platinum requires 140,000 TQPs in a calendar year or 100 qualifying one-way flights, and its most valuable perk is unlimited Companion Pass trips ^[2]. Cardholders earn a one-time 10,000 TQP boost upon hitting 130,000 TQPs in 2027 ^[1].

The first milestone is 20,000 TQPs or 15 qualifying one-way flights, and after qualifying members can choose 20,000 points or two Preferred Seat Certificates ^[2]. The second is 95,000 TQPs or 75 qualifying one-way flights, and it comes with three Companion Pass trips ^[2].

The Companion Pass shortcut is gone

Southwest eliminated Companion Pass qualifying points ^[2]. Previously, a Companion Pass could be earned with 135,000 qualifying points or 100 qualifying one-way flights ^[2].

Members must now spend their way to the top status tier or take 100 flights in a year to get the pass ^[1].

How spending compares across airlines

For years, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have awarded status based purely on the money their frequent flyers spend ^[1]. Delta Diamond Medallion requires 28,000 Medallion Qualification Dollars, or $255,000 in spending with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, which carries a $650 annual fee ^[1].

United Premier 1K requires 32,000 Premier qualifying points, or $457,500 in spending with the United Club Card, which carries a $695 annual fee ^[1]. American AAdvantage Executive Platinum is 200,000 Loyalty Points, or $170,000 in spending with the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard ^[1]. Southwest Platinum requires 140,000 TQPs, or $130,000 in spending on any cobranded credit card ^[1].

Why cards matter to airlines

Delta said it is on track to pull in a record $9 billion through its banking partnership with American Express ^[1]. American expects to make $8 billion this year through its tie-up with Citibank ^[1].

United and Delta cardholders get access to better mileage redemptions than members who do not carry a card ^[1]. Free first-class upgrades have become harder to score and status benchmarks keep getting pricier to earn ^[1].