Flexibility will continue to be key for both brands and travelers as we enter an uncertain 2021. To accommodate the indefinite delay to a full return to travel, many hoteliers and airlines are offering extensions to loyalty program benefits in an effort to continue rewarding loyal travelers. A few highlights of these extended benefits include:
IHG
All members’ 2019 program status will be extended through January 2022. Elite membership criteria of nights or points has been reduced by 25 percent or more and anniversary night certificates will have an increased 18 month redemption period. View the full policy.
Hilton
All Elite members will keep their current status through March 31, 2022 and scheduled downgrades will be cancelled. 2020 complimentary nights will rollover to 2021 and no points will expire between now and December 31, 2021.
Wyndham
It is now easier to reach new member levels as Wyndham has lowered the number of nights required to reach Gold, Platinum and Diamond tiers. Any qualifying nights from 2020 will count towards the 2021 total. View the full policy and member level perks grid.
American Airlines
AAdvantage members can now book an award ticket without a service charge and will no longer need to pay a reinstatement fee to have miles redeposited into their account due to a cancelled ticket. Mileage expiration has been extended through June 30, 2021 and elite status members has been extended through January 31, 2022. View the full policy.
Delta Airlines
Current Delta Medallion members’ status has been extended through the end of 2021, and all 2020 qualification miles will roll over to 2021 for 2020 Medallion status qualification. Delta is also extending expiration dates for all upgrade certificates or travel vouchers for an additional six months. View the full policy.
United Airlines
United is lowering the amount of Premier qualifying flights (PQF) and Premier qualifying points (PQP) needed to earn Premier status. PlusPoints that are set to expire on or before January 1, 2021 will be extended an additional six months to make it easier to earn extra points and reach a higher status in 2021. United is the only U.S. global airline to offer members the ability to earn unlimited extra upgrades after reaching the highest published tier of Premier status.