We are approaching the finish line for people to get an elite airline status. With the Calendar Rockets on December 31 (the deadline for most programs for this year’s elite-eligible events), the option to try to decide whether to move it to the next elite-level traveler.
Almost all emails we receive on this topic from readers involve similar questions: How to earn the ultimate necessary mileage, flight, or USD to get to status? How did I win a position without more flights this year, and is the airline elite status even worth it?
Here are some suggestions for common year-end status dilemmas for major U.S. airlines.
Related: 5 Things I Tell My Young Self
How to get last minute elite status with American Airlines
Here are the criteria for earning US Airlines status through its loyalty points system during the current eligibility period (March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026):
- Aadvantage Gold: 40,000 loyalty points
- Aadvantage Platinum: 75,000 loyalty points
- Aadvantage Platinum Pro: 125,000 loyalty points
- Aadvantage executes platinum: 200,000 loyalty points
The U.S. elite qualification period is from March 1 to February 28 of the second year (or February 29 of the LEAP year). If you reach elite status during your eligibility period, your status will be valid from the day you won on March 31. So if you get American Airlines Aadvantage status by February 28, 2026, you will stay in shape until March 31, 2027.
Last minute strategy to earn or retain American elite identity
You can earn loyalty points when you drive the United States and most of your partners. But there are many ways to earn loyalty points besides flying, such as:
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Loyalty must be posted to your account by the end of February to account for your current eligibility period. Given that many other major airlines end their eligibility deadlines on December 31, you have some extra time to make money here or ask for.
Loyalty points are usually posted to your account based on the flight or transaction date. However, the loyalty point of credit card spending is based on the date of the activity login to your Aadvantage account – which usually occurs on your statement deadline. As a result, it is important to complete spending before the February statement is over.
Related: Here are some last minute strategies to acquire American AADVantage Elite identity
How to earn last minute elite identity using Delta Air Line
These are the criteria for winning the Delta Air Force Elite status during the current eligibility period that runs from January 1 to December 31:
- Silver Medal: 5,000 medals eligible USD
- Gold Medal: 10,000 MQD
- Platinum Medal: 15,000 MQD
- Diamond Medal: 28,000 MQD
If you earn the MQD required for the required status tier by December 31, 2025, you will remain in state until January 31, 2027.
Last minute strategy to earn or retain a delta elite identity
If you want to fill up your MQD by December 31, here are some options:
- Spend on a common credit card in the Delta: You can earn bonus MQD on your daily expenses using the right Delta credit card. There is no limit on how much MQD you can earn from your spend on your card, which is handy if you need to fill up your MQD before the end of the year. DELTA also starts by typing 2,500 MQD for each medal year for SELECT DELTA credit card holders.
- Book a flight: Whether you redeem a Delta-operated flight (at a speed of 1 MQD redeemed for every 100 Delta Skymiles), or spending cash to Delta or one of its partners, you can make money.
However, remember that MQDs must be posted to your account this year to calculate elite identity qualifications for the 2026 status year. So especially if you want to earn MQD by spending on your Delta card, make sure your spending is in the issuance statement forward The end of the year.
Related: Last minute strategy to earn Delta Medal Elite Identity
How to get last minute elite status at United Airlines
Each United Airlines elite level has two ways to reach the status quo: achieve identity through qualified eligible flights and a certain number of prime minister qualification points, or earn status by reaching a specific PQP threshold.
Here are the requirements for current eligibility years running from January 1 to December 31.
- Prime Minister Silver: 5,000 PQPs and 15 PQFs, or 6,000 PQPs
- Prime Minister Gold: 10,000 PQPs and 30 PQFs, or 12,000 PQPs
- Prime Minister Platinum: 15,000 PQPs and 45 PQFs, or 18,000 PQPs
- Prime Minister 1K: 22,000 PQPs and 60 PQFs, or 28,000 PQPs
Once you have obtained the United Elite status, you will remain in shape for the rest of the year for the second year and Until January 31 of the following year. So if you qualify for Manchester United’s elite status in November 2025, you will remain your identity until January 31, 2027.
Last minute strategy to earn or retain a joint elite identity
If you need other joint PQFS, you have to squeeze in more flights before the calendar becomes January 1, 2026.
Fortunately, distance is not important to PQFS. When you earn PQF, you can take the shortest flight. However, to earn PQF, your flight cannot be a reward flight, can’t be booked in United Basic Enagance, and must be attributed to United Mileageplus. You won’t earn PQFS or PQP when choosing a MiLeagePlus partner airline to fly, so if you’re not flying on a United or Star Alliance partner, do a double check eligibility.
Here are some ideas for earning more PQP by the end of the year:
- Book a paid joint or joint express flight: Flights operated by United and United Express are usually earned 1 pqp on basic air tickets and surcharges imposed by the carrier (excluding taxes).
- Book a qualified paid partner flight: Most flights operated by Star Alliance partner airlines earn PQP based on fare level, flight distance and airlines.
- Purchase economical or preferred seats: When you buy the economy, you can earn PQP, plus subscriptions and one-time seat reservations (excluding taxes and fees).
- Spend on select common joint credit cards
Remember that in-flight PQPs will not be released until you fly. So if you get more PQP from flying, you have to fly this year.
Related: Last minute strategy for obtaining elite status of United Prime Minister
Earning elite status matching identity
If your elite status expires in 2025, even with the above strategies, you are unlikely to ask for a match to another airline’s application status.
Status matching often allows you to get similar or lower statuses for new airlines based on your current competitor loyalty program. But why do airlines offer such generous opportunities?
This can make them a target for competing airlines when travelers show strong loyalty to an airline and its rewards program. Travelers may open up their loyalty if they are not satisfied with their current plans or if situations change, such as moving from the U.S. airline hub to the airport of the more dominant airlines in Manchester United.
Related: Complete Guide to Airline Status Matching and Challenges
Earn elite status with the right credit card
Although new applicants currently do not have a credit card that provides automatic elite status for any major airlines listed in this guide, many allow cardholders to earn points to improve their identity – check out our interpreter here.
Is the last-minute elite identity worth trying?
If you short a few areas or a few hundred dollars, closing the gap elite status and getting a year of benefits may be worth the investment.
But if you still need hundreds or thousands of dollars in incremental costs to close the gap, the equation quickly shifts to probably not worth it. If you need to fly, you will have extra flights in time and are very honest about how good your elite identity allowance is for you.
If you’re spending hours or hundreds of dollars chasing the status of the airline at this point of the year, really check the real value you’ve earned.
Bottom line
The elite status of the airline is still worth it, but your time has run out of your gap this year. Depending on your exact circumstances, you may have to spend some money, book and take other flights, or both are looking for the stipend you want next year.
As a last resort, if status matching is not for you, remember that sometimes airlines offer a way to buy status after the year ends. If you are close but missed the earning status, you can also ask the airline for a one-time bump for free. None of these methods guarantee work, but it is worth considering whether all other status paths are exhausted.
