Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

Episode: 2026 Elite Status Changes and Ways to Earn Status and Nights More Easily

Hosts: Sally French & Meghan Coyle (NerdWallet Travel)
Date: February 11, 2026
Special Guest: Benjamin Din (Travel writer & Elite Status enthusiast)

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into major updates for airline and hotel elite status programs in 2026, exploring how recent trends and new policies affect travelers seeking elite perks or considering their first status run. With trusted tips, the hosts and guest Ben Din break down new qualification requirements, innovative ways to earn status (even if you don’t travel for work!), and share candid stories about the real value of elite perks in challenging travel situations.
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to maximize travel value, score upgrades, or demystify the path to loyalty program status in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travel Rule Updates: UK ETA Requirement

[02:23 – 04:31]

• Starting Feb 25, 2026, UK requires Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-free travelers including US & Canadian citizens.
  • Must apply via the official UK ETA app before your trip.
  • Cost: 16 pounds (~$22), approval usually in minutes, but recommend applying at least 3 days in advance.
  • Applies even for layovers that involve going through passport control.
• Sally: “It’s not something you can just sort out on arrival… If you haven’t done it in advance, you won’t be allowed to board.” [03:05]

2. Big Milestone Points Earning Promotions

[04:46 – 06:45]

• Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard offers the chance to win 1 million Atmos points monthly (Feb–Dec 2026).
  • Each purchase = 1 entry.
  • Bonus for Hawaii residents: 50% more points on all spending categories during promo.
• Meghan: “If you have a Hawaiian Airlines World Elite MasterCard... the airline is giving away 1 million Atmos points once a month...” [05:08]
• Creative point-earning humor: Sally jokes about repeatedly buying one banana per transaction for max entries [05:55]

3. Disney Parks & Profits – What Travelers Need to Know

[07:20 – 09:39]

• Josh D’Amaro named new Disney CEO (former parks head) — sign that travel experiences remain central to Disney’s strategy.
• Disney’s parks, hotels & cruise revenue at record $10B for the recent quarter.
• Per cap spending up 4% despite only 1% attendance growth — travelers are spending more to maximize occasional visits.
• Savings tips:
  • Compare ticket types and look at off-peak dates.
  • Wake up early to reduce pressure for Lightning Lane purchases.
  • Bring snacks to avoid expensive park food.
• Sally: “If you pay for a bag of peanuts at Disney and complain that they’re $10, you should have just brought your own.” [09:03]

4. Luxury Travel Trends: Cooling Off?

[10:01 – 12:04]

• Deloitte: Even travelers making $200k+ are "pulling back" — fewer splurges on upgrades/stays.
• Ultra-luxury (5-star, international first) insulated, but demand for “aspirational” business class and 4-star experiences down.
• Sally: “Maybe we'll see deals in these places... or better upgrade offers if you have that silver status.” [12:04]

In-Depth: 2026 Elite Status Program Changes

[12:21 – 47:57] Guest expert: Benjamin Din

Why Pursue Elite Status? Who Should Care?

• Attainable for many more travelers now — not just road warriors.
  • Credit card spending can help you qualify.
  • Status match, challenges, and credit card partnerships make it easier.
• Key perks: Priority support in flight disruptions; upgrades; valuable during IRROPS (irregular operations).
• Ben: “Elite status might be more attainable than you think. You just need a strategy at the beginning of the year.” [13:51]

Evaluation Factors

• Consider where you live—your hub airport matters.
• If you can choose between airlines, focus on partnerships and unique perks:
  • United: strong global network
  • American: valuable miles + Alaska partnership
  • Delta: best (if expensive) lounges

Airline Program Key Updates

• Southwest [17:41 – 19:02]

  • Now charges for checked bags and assigned seating.
  • Elite status newly valuable for free bags and seat selection.
  • Priority boarding now a bigger difference but no true premium cabin or international partnership perks.

• Reciprocal Elite Status - Oneworld strong [19:26 – 20:34]

  • Oneworld (American, Alaska) has the most cross-airline perks, incl. international first-class lounge access at top levels.
  • Ben: “Oneworld offers the strongest alliance by perks.” [19:29]

• Alaska & Hawaiian Atmos Rewards [20:34 – 22:33]

  • Earn status via distance, spending, or number of flights.
  • Credit card spend also accelerates status.
  • Milestone rewards (“random little goodies”) still exist.

• American Airlines [23:09 – 24:27]

  • Major change: Basic Economy fares no longer earn miles or loyalty points.
    — If status is your goal, don't book Basic Economy.
  • But still, among legacy U.S. carriers, American awards the most elite perks to Basic Economy travelers (checked bags, seat selection, upgrade list placement).

• JetBlue Mosaic [24:49 – 26:40]

  • Introduction of “family tiles”: Family spend counts toward one household member's status.
  • New JetBlue lounges (first JFK lounge) — but only accessible for top Mosaic 4 status.

• United [26:55 – 27:59]

  • Qualification requirements unchanged this year.
  • Big perk: Top elites can now use plus points to upgrade award bookings, not just paid fares.
    — Applies mostly to high-level United flyers.

Hotel Elite Status Updates

• Hilton [28:08 – 30:45]

  • New Diamond Reserve status: $18K spend/yr needed — cannot be earned via credit card.
    — Suite upgrade certificates & guaranteed late checkout for top tier.
  • Lower-night requirements for Silver, Gold, Diamond make mid-tier status easier.
  • Gold Status still strong, especially abroad (complimentary breakfast is next level).
  • Ben: “Going after Gold status is worth it with Hilton if you travel abroad a lot.” [30:45]

• Hyatt [34:43 – 35:28]

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve spend ($75K/yr) now unlocks Hyatt Explorist status.
  • Teasing a potential new premium credit card.

• Choice Privileges [35:28 – 36:21]

  • Easier to earn status; only 5 nights for entry tier.
  • New “soft landings” — lose a tier, not all status, if you don’t re-qualify.
  • New top Titanium tier.

Real-Life Elite Status: Hosts & Guest Stories

[36:21 – 47:57]

Ben’s Status & How He Earns

• United 1K (mix of flying and credit card spend, sign-up bonus, annual boosts)
• Hotel status: Hilton (from Amex Aspire credit card), Marriott Gold (multiple ways), Hyatt (World of Hyatt credit card + stays), IHG Platinum (credit card and United Club)
• Took years to accumulate—United Million Miler journey (joined in 2002!)

Meghan’s Status Strategy & Upgrades

• Entry-level American Airlines Gold; values priority upgrades and standby
• Hilton & Marriott Gold via Amex Platinum; Hyatt Explorist via temporary status match challenge from American Airlines Elite.

Impact of Status on Travel Behavior

• Both have become more flexible and experimental with flights (e.g., standbys, early morning bookings for upgrade chances).
• Elite status changes booking behavior: weighing value of booking direct for elite perks vs cheaper OTA rates, especially for hotels.

Lifetime Status — The Million Miler Quest

[41:10 – 43:22]

• Ben: Aims to hit 1 million United miles flown (butt-in-seat, not credit card or partner bonuses).

  • Earns lifetime Premier Gold (mid-tier) status, including Star Alliance Gold (international business lounges) and Marriott Gold via status match.
  • Crossing from 900K to 1M; expects to hit goal this year (mix of long-haul deals & United’s expanding route map).

• Meghan: “Wait, so you're going to fly 100,000 miles in 2026?”
  Ben: “Basically, yeah, I think so.” [43:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Elite status might be more attainable than you think. You just need a strategy at the beginning of the year.”
  — Ben Din [13:51]
• “If you pay for a bag of peanuts at Disney and complain that they’re $10, you should have just brought your own.”
  — Sally French [09:03]
• “Oneworld is the alliance that offers the strongest alliance by perks.”
  — Ben Din [19:29]
• “No, I’ll say, before the pandemic, I had no idea what the Million Miler program was … It’s definitely been a long time coming.”
  — Ben Din [42:23]
• “I've gotten a lot more cavalier about just flying at random times that I didn't actually book [because of my status].”
  — Meghan Coyle [46:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:23] UK ETA 2026 Requirement
• [04:46] Hawaiian Airlines 1 Million Points Promo
• [07:20] Disney Strategy & Revenue Trends
• [10:01] Luxury Travel Demand Softening
• [12:27] Elite Status Updates Begin
• [17:41] Airline-By-Airline Status Changes (Southwest, Alaska, American, JetBlue, United)
• [28:08] Hotel Elite Status Changes (Hilton, Hyatt, Choice)
• [36:53] Hosts & Guest Share Status Portfolio — How They Earned Each
• [41:10] Million Miler / Lifetime Status Explained
• [46:30] How Status Changes Travel Tactics

Listener Q&A: Free Checked Baggage for International Travel

[48:43 – 49:49]

• Most major US airlines offer a free checked bag on international flights for main cabin fares—often no special credit card required.
• Beware: Rules vary for budget/international carriers and within foreign countries.

Resources & Further Reading

• NerdWallet guides on:
  • Credit cards with automatic hotel elite status
  • Airline cards with free checked bags
  • Detailed program changes and promos (links available in episode description)

Final Thoughts

Sally & Meghan encourage listeners to strategize their travel loyalty goals for 2026, evaluate the value of status at their home airports and for their travel patterns, and make the most of status-qualifying opportunities now that programs are more creative and inclusive. The episode is filled with specific tactics, cautionary tales, and real-world examples of how elite status can (sometimes unexpectedly) save the day.

Keep your passport full—and your wallet even fuller.