| | The perks of free agency | | by Brian Kelly | |  | Best-ever offer ending soon
Two of Chase's no-annual-fee business cards — the Ink Business Cash Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card — are currently offering best-ever sign-up bonuses of $900 bonus cash back or 90,000 points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. But hurry — this offer is ending soon. Apply before Thursday.
Changing my approach to top-tier elite status
It's a new year, and many airline elite status programs are rolling over — and many people, myself included, did not strive for the highest status level this year. For the last 15 years, I've retained top-tier elite status on Delta Air Lines, United Airlines or American Airlines.
It started with being a Delta Diamond member. Then in 2011, when I moved to Miami, my best carrier option was American. During the pandemic, when I moved to Pennsylvania, about an hour from Newark, I really started flying United, which served my needs from home or New York City.
Now that I'm a dad, I really value my time at home with Dean, so I am willing to pay for the most direct flight that gets me home earlier. I like the flexibility of trying all sorts of airlines based on the best schedule, plane type and price.
That's right — I'm a free agent and not chasing status. 2023 was the first year that I did not qualify for top-tier status on any of the "Big Three" airlines. I've now figured out that the best way for me to travel is with transferable credit card points that offer greater flexibility.
Plus, so many airline loyalty programs have been overhauled recently, and it has really changed from flying to earn status to spending to earn status. Back in the day, status really mattered, and it used to consistently get you upgrades, especially on international flights — but I rarely fly U.S. carriers when flying internationally.
I am going to Japan soon, and I'm not going to try and use my United PlusPoints for an upgrade; instead, I'll be flying on the new Japan Airlines A350 and will use points to upgrade to first class, which, in my opinion, is a better experience internationally than Polaris.
I used to get my American Executive Platinum status mostly through the shopping portal and credit card spending, but that changed this past year when I shifted my card strategy and started putting most of my spending on my Chase, American Express and Bilt cards — especially when the Bilt Mastercard® offers massive transfer bonuses at the beginning of the month. Those points are very versatile — I was just able to transfer 100,000 Bilt points and I got 250,000 Flying Blue miles. (Full disclosure: I am a Bilt adviser and investor.)
I have an aversion to spending large amounts on cobranded airline cards because the perks just aren't there for me anymore. So, because I have so many transferable credit card points, now I just book the flight that I want instead of booking coach and hoping to get upgraded because of an elite status.
I know this approach might not work for everyone, but for me personally, it's the best approach right now.
So for this year, with United and American, I'll drop to Platinum status. On Delta I still get Platinum status because of my Centurion card — it gives you complimentary Platinum status each year. I do have elite status on other airlines — I just signed up for the Chase Aeroplan Credit Card, which gives me 25K status. By the way, the elevated offer of 100,000 Aeroplan points on that card is ending soon if you are thinking about grabbing it. Aeroplan points can be very valuable.
Airline status matches and challenges
If you still want to try for elite status, there are airline status match opportunities you can register for if you want to try out elite status on a different carrier.
And, even if you think you missed earning status by a few points or dollars, check your accounts. Just this week, we've seen Delta surprising quite a few elite members with status renewals.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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