Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
There’s no doubt that the past month has been rough for the travel industry. The continued spread of the coronavirus has led to major event cancellations and travel restrictions, and many travel providers have issued waivers to give travelers more flexibility for both new and existing reservations.
This uncertainty has led many travelers to wonder if airlines and hotel programs will extend elite status, upgrade certificates and other benefits for loyal members. Given the evolving nature of the outbreak, this is a question that is changing frequently, but a large number of carriers have announced intentions to implement updates in the future.
Please visit TPG’s hub page for coronavirus coverage and sign-up for our daily newsletter for up-to-date information on the outbreak.
Here’s a quick roundup of what we know from all major U.S. airlines and some popular international airlines — though we’ll continue to update this post as we receive more information.
In This Post
Air Canada
On April 6, 2020, Air Canada announced that it will extend elite status validity for all of its elite members through 2021 regardless of miles flown. This extension is automatic and there is no need to contact Air Canada to enroll in the extension. Further, Air Canada elites who requalify for elite status in 2020 can gift elite status to a friend or family member for free — one of the more unique aspects of these announcements.
In the announcement, Air Canada also unveiled a promotion where it will award one Altitude Qualifying Mile for every five Aeroplan miles that a member donates to select charities by April 30, 2020. These Altitude Qualifying Miles will count toward advancing an elite’s 2021 elite status tier and earning status to gift to a friend or family member — though this is capped at 25,000 AQMs.
In a separate statement, the airline announced that it’s giving all elite members additional eUpgrade Credits that expire May 31, 2021. The number of eUpgrade Credits added depends on the elite member’s elite tier; check out Air Canada’s website for information on how many credits each tier has been credited. These credits have already been distributed and can be redeemed immediately.
The Montreal-based carrier previously announced that it’s pausing Aeroplan mileage expiration until June 29, 2020, and that all Aeroplan-issued award tickets can be canceled free of charge until June 30, 2020. In addition, the airline is waiving change fees on a number of paid tickets — see the airline’s coronavirus page for more info.
Alaska Airlines
On April 7, 2020, Alaska Airlines announced that it’s extending elite status validity for all 2020 elite members through Dec. 31, 2021. This status extension is automatic and there’s no need to enroll or contact Alaska Airlines for the extension.
The only benefit that’s excluded from this extension is the 50,000 bonus Mileage Plan miles that Alaska awards to MVP Gold 75K members upon qualification. The airline stated that it will release details on how MVP Gold 75K members can earn bonus miles in “a few weeks.”
Mileage Plan members who enrolled in a status match challenge between Dec. 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020, will have their elite status automatically extended through Dec. 31, 2021. This extension is valid regardless of how much the member has flown during his or her status challenge period.
Additionally, companion certificates earned with an Alaska Airlines cobranded credit card have also had their validity extended. All certificates set to expire in 2020 are now valid until Dec. 31, 2020, and can be used to purchase new travel through Nov. 26, 2021.
As you’d expect, the carrier is waiving change and cancellation fees on many tickets — check out Alaska’s COVID-19 travel page for complete details on these waivers.
American Airlines
American Airlines announced a status extension of its own on April 13, 2020. All American Airlines elite members who currently hold elite status will have their status validity extended through January 31, 2022. This status extension is automatic and includes members who earned status through a status challenge or were gifted status from World of Hyatt.
In a separate email, the airline announced that this extension also applies to its invite-only ConciergeKey members.
Additionally, the requirements for earning elite status (or moving up a tier) in 2020 have been reduced across the board. While not as generous as United’s 50% reduction, the cuts are significant and apply to Elite Qualifying Miles, Segments, and Dollars for all elite status tiers. Here’s a breakdown of these levels.
| Metric | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
| Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) | 15,000 | 30,000 | 45,000 | 60,000 |
| Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 |
| Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQD) | $1,500 | $4,000 | $6,000 | $9,000 |
The carrier also announced an interesting new wrinkle: Net purchases on American cobranded credit cards that post to your AAdvantage account between May and December 2020 will count toward American lifetime elite status at a rate of 1 mile per dollar spent. If you’re close to a Million Miler tier, this could be a way to push yourself over the top in a time of limited travel.
LIMITED-TIME OFFERS: Earn bonus miles and spend your way to lifetime status with these American Airlines credit cards.
Further, existing Systemwide Upgrades set to expire on January 31, 2021 will now expire on July 31, 2021. The airline has also lowered requirements for earning additional Executive Platinum awards by 40%, which will now kick in at 90,000, 120,000 and 150,000 EQMs.
The airline has made a number of smaller changes to the AAdvantage program too, so make sure to check out our full article on the airline’s response to coronavirus for more info. In addition, check out the airline’s coronavirus information page for information on its coronavirus travel waiver.
Related: Airlines join cruise lines in offering incentives for not canceling tickets
British Airways
On March 26, 2020, British Airways announced that it has lowered elite qualifying requirements for select Executive Club members. Elite members with a status renewal date in April, May and June of this year can requalify for status with 30% fewer Tier Points due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Qualifying elite status members will only have to earn the following quantities of Tier Points in order to maintain their existing status or move to a higher status level:
- Bronze: 210 Tier Points (versus 300)
- Silver: 420 Tier Points (versus 600)
- Gold: 1,050 Tier Points (versus 1,500)
- Gold Guest List: 3,500 Tier Points (versus 5,000)
Additionally, the validity of select companion vouchers have been extended by six months. Like other airlines, British Airways is offering a travel waiver that lets passengers change their flights free of charge — see British Airways’ coronavirus information page for more details.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is granting its members bonus points to help make up for lost travel due to the Coronavirus, according to Executive Traveller. These will be granted in monthly increments to Marco Polo Club members and represent only a portion of the points needed to retain status. Unlike other programs, all members will be given these bonus points regardless of residency.
| Status | February | March | April | Total | Total Required |
| Silver |
30 Club Points |
30 Club Points |
30 Club Points |
90 points |
300 points |
| Gold |
65 Club Points |
65 Club Points |
65 Club Points |
195 points |
600 points |
| Diamond |
140 Club Points |
140 Club Points |
140 Club Points |
420 points |
1,200 points |
In addition to these points, members who have lounge passes, earned companion certificates or flight upgrade credits that expire between March and April will see their passes extended by six months.
For more information on this and other steps Cathay Pacific is taking regarding the outbreak, check out the carrier’s coronavirus updates page.
Delta Air Lines
Delta on April 5 became the first U.S. airline to announce that it would extend elite status for all members amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Related: Delta becomes the first U.S. airline to extend elite status
The airline says whatever Delta Medallion status travelers earned for 2020 — including those gifted — will be automatically extended for the 2021 Medallion year, which ends January 31, 2022. Additionally, all Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) from 2020 will be rolled over to 2021 to qualify for 2022 Medallion Status.
Delta is giving extensions on Global and Regional Upgrade Certificates as well as $200 Delta travel vouchers selected as Choice Benefits. Additionally, the carrier will also extend some of the perks attained through its co-branded credit cards.
Delta 360 — an invite-only elite tier for high spenders — is not eligible for this extension. When asked if the extension included these members, the airline released the following statement to TPG:
“No – Delta 360 is an annual, invitation-only program. Those selected to the program for 2021 will be contacted by Delta in February 2021.”
Beyond elite status, Delta is also waiving change and cancellation fees on many tickets due to the outbreak, and it’s also extended the validity of companion certificates — granted annually to holders of select Delta Amex cards. Be sure to check the carrier’s coronavirus updates page for complete details and eligibility.
Related: Loyalty programs begin limiting non-travel redemption options
Emirates
According to Emirates’ COVID-19 updates page, existing Emirates Skywards Silver, Gold and Platinum members can requalify for status by meeting 80% of the travel requirements for their respective status tier this year. Additionally, all flights completed before June 30, 2020 will receive 20% more Tier Miles toward status qualification.
Like other airlines on this list, Emirates has also issued a handful of travel waivers that let some travelers cancel airfare without penalty. See the airline’s website for more details.
Etihad Airways
On March 19, 2020, Etihad Airways announced that beginning March 31, 2020, it will distribute bonus Tier Miles to all Etihad Guest members on a monthly basis in order to help them maintain elite status. These bonus Tier Miles will be automatically deposited into Etihad Guest accounts on the last day of every month for the next two months, and extensions to this program will be “considered as more information comes available.” No enrollment is required.
Etihad notes that the number of points to be distributed will be “calculated as a monthly average of miles members earn flying with Etihad Airways and are required to maintain their existing tier.” No specific numbers have been released at this point, but we’ll update this article when more information is available.
Finally, Etihad is offering double tier points on all trips taken between March 1 and June 30, 2020.
Beyond elite status, the carrier is also waiving date and destination change fees for those with travel booked through June 30, 2020 — check Etihad’s coronavirus travel updates page for more details.
Related: Emirates, Etihad to stop flying entirely following UAE ban
Flying Blue
On April 15, 2020, Flying Blue announced that it will extend elite status for all elite members by one year. Flying Blue elite members with a qualification period ending between March 2020 and February 2021 will have their elite status extended for another 12 months.
Previously, the program said that it was only offering reduced status qualifying thresholds for certain members. That policy, however, has been changed to offer a one-year status extension for members, which is a positive change for all Flying Blue elites.
Flying Blue is also pausing mileage expiration through the end of 2020 for all members and allowing free changes and cancellations for award tickets (that are set to depart by June 30, 2020). For more details on these updates, check out the program’s coronavirus news page.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines is extending status for all current elite members through the end of February 2022. The airline is also lowering qualifying requirements for Pualani Gold and Pualani Platinum status by 50%, making it easier for travelers to earn or upgrade status once it’s safe to travel again. Here’s a look at the updated status requirements.
| Status tier | qualifying segments | qualifying miles |
| Pualani Gold | 15 | 10,000 |
| Pualani Platinum | 30 | 20,000 |
Further, the airline is extending credit card companion certificates that are set to expire before August 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020. This applies to both 50% off and $100 off companion certificates earned with the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard.
The information for the The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Hawaiian Airlines is also offering a travel waiver for most new and existing bookings — see the airline’s coronavirus page for more information.
Hainan Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines
Fortune Wings — the loyalty program used by Hainan Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and other Chinese carriers — has automatically extended elite status validity for elite members. According to the Fortune Wings website, elite status members who are set to lose their current elite status tier will have their elite status extended for up to 14 months.
Fortune Wings said the following in a press release:
“During the policy implementation, FWC elite members (including Platinum, gold and silver card) that member tier would be degraded in current month, will be automatic maintained by their original levels and the validity periods will be extend by another elite member period; Namely, the member tier validation would be from the day of upgrading till the end of the next month of the next year, which would be up to 14 months. For example, the original member tier, which will be expired on March, 31st, 2020 and maintaining conditions are not met, will be automatically maintained and the valid period will be April 1 2020 to May 31st 2021.”
This program went into effect on February 1, 2020, and an expiration date will be “will be announced later.” Elite status will be automatically extended and no enrollment is required.
JetBlue
Like other U.S. airlines, JetBlue has yet to say if it will extend the validity of its Mosaic elite status or if it will lower qualifying requirements for 2021 status earning. TPG reached out to JetBlue for comment and received the following:
“Our immediate priority is keeping everyone safe and stabilizing our business. As always, we will do our best to support our Mosaic customers, including considering changes to 2021 qualification. We will communicate details when they are available.”
Aside from elite status, JetBlue is also offering fee-free changes and cancellations to many of its tickets, but review the carrier’s travel alerts page for full details on these waivers and eligibility.
LATAM
LATAM has extended status validity for all LATAM Pass elite members through March 2022. This status extension is automatic and will be applied regardless of how much an elite member has flown in 2020. LATAM released the following statement on its website:
“Many things have changed due to the current situation, affecting the opportunity to travel and accumulate qualifying points for access to Elite categories, but we want to give you peace of mind: the category of our Elite members is guaranteed until March 2022.”
In early May, the airline announced that its lowering elite status qualifying requirements by 30%, making it easier to qualify or upgrade elite status in 2020. Further, it extended LATAM Pass points set to expire in March, April or May by 90 days.
This is the most generous airline status extension that we’ve seen so far. In addition, LATAM is offering waived change and cancellation fees on a number of its flights. Check the airline’s coronavirus information page for more info.
Qantas
Qantas was among the first carrier’s to announce program-wide updates, automatically extending status validity by 12 months for all current elite members that have not yet requalified in 2020. Eligible members will receive a new elite status card by the end of the month in which their current status is set to expire. Qantas has stated that no enrollment is required to take advantage of this extension, as all extensions will be processed automatically.
The updated elite status expiration date will show online after one of the two processing dates listed on Qantas’ website. Members with elite status expiring between March and June 2020 will have their status extended by March 27, 2020. Those with status expiring between July 2020 and February 2021 will have their status extended by April 9, 2020. Regardless of the processing date, the elite status’ expiration date will only be extended by one year.
Unfortunately, members who have already requalified for status are not eligible for this extension. Likewise, Qantas members can only use this extension to retain their current status tier — it’s not possible to move up a tier with the extension.
Beyond elite status, Qantas is taking other steps related to the coronavirus, as it recently suspended all international routes due to the coronavirus outbreak and is offering various travel waivers. Be sure to check the carrier’s coronavirus update site for complete details.
Qatar Airways
Similar to Qantas, Qatar Airways is automatically extending status validity by 12 months for all current elite members with status set to expire before January 31, 2021. While details are limited, the airline says that it would also reinstate status in some circumstances.
In addition to the status extensions, Gold and Platinum members now have 12 additional months to use their Qcredits, which can be used toward perks like upgrades, extra baggage, and lounge access. The Qcredits, including previously redeemed ones, are now also refundable.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is also offering relief for those affected by the outbreak. The airline said that it’s automatically renewing all KrisFlyer Elite and PPS Club membership statuses for another 12 months at the end of their membership year.
The status extension applies to all memberships expiring from March 2020 through February 2021. The validity of any expiring PPS and Elite Gold Rewards will also be extended until March 31, 2021.
In addition to this extension, Singapore is also waiving rebooking fees for many new and existing tickets with travel through May 31, 2020, but visit the carrier’s travel waiver page for up-to-date information.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest announced extensions for both A-List elite status and its famous Companion Pass benefit on April 16, 2020. In the announcement, the airline stated that it will extend elite status validity for all current A-List and A-List preferred members through December 31, 2021. Further, all current Companion Pass holders will have their pass extended through June 30, 2021. These extensions are automatic, so there’s no need to contact Southwest to extend.
Additionally, all Southwest Rapid Rewards members will get a head-start toward elite status and Companion Pass. The airline will deposit 15,000 tier qualifying points and 15 qualifying segments into all Rapid Rewards accounts — these bonus points will count toward elite status qualification. This effectively drops A-List and A-List Preferred qualification to 20,000 tier points and 55,000 tier points respectively.
On the Companion Pass side, Southwest announced it will deposit 25,000 Companion Pass qualifying points and 25 qualifying flight segments into all Rapid Rewards account. This drops the Companion Pass requirement to 100,000 qualifying points for 2021, which can be quickly earned with a Southwest cobranded credit card.
Do keep in mind that these miles aren’t redeemable, so you can’t use them to book flights. Regardless, it’s nice to see that the airline is making it easier for its members to earn elite status and Companion Pass benefits in 2020.
Finally, the Dallas-based airline has also announced extensions to expiring travel funds, including an option that will allow Rapid Rewards members to convert expiring funds to Rapid Rewards points. All funds issued between March 1, 2020, and September 7, 2020, will have an expiration date of September 7, 2022; typically, Southwest Travel Funds expire one-year after being issued. Southwest’s website indicated that these conversions will happen at the same rate you can book travel using Rapid Rewards points, but given that this is variable, we’re awaiting more details on how the math will work — and the launch of an online tool that will facilitate the transfer.
As far as flight changes go, the airline has always allowed free changes and cancellation on both paid and award tickets. Make sure to check out Southwest’s coronavirus page for information on canceled routes, travel restrictions and more.
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal has extended elite status for some elite status members by 12 months. According to TAP Portugal’s website, the airline has extended elite status for Gold and Silver members who earned status through segments flown or Status Miles earned. Those who earned status via other methods — for example, through TAP Miles&Go — are excluded from this extension.
TAP Portugal is also extending mileage validity by a year and offering bonus miles to TAP Miles&Go members. Likewise, the airline is offering free changes and cancellations for select members — read more about these benefits on TAP Portugal’s coronavirus page.
Turkish Airlines
In an email to elite status members, Turkish Airlines announced that it’s extending elite status validity for all Miles & Smiles elite members by six months. The email — which was sent on April 8, 2020 — also notes that members can purchase double the amount of redeemable and status miles this year.
This news comes after Turkish Airlines suspended all international flights through April. The airline is offering a travel waiver to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak — make sure to check out the carrier’s website for more info.
United Airlines
United became the second U.S. carrier after Delta to announce that it would extend elite status to all its current Premier members through the end of the 2021 program year, which ends on January 31, 2022.
Related: United, following Delta’s lead, extends elite status for all Premier members and more
United is going to lower the PQP thresholds for earning Premier status. United is also extending all of its annual subscription options, such as United Club memberships, Wi-Fi and Economy Plus by six months for each customer. It’s not immediately clear what’s going to happen with PlusPoints upgrades.
Beyond elite status, United has implemented fee waivers for many of its flights, but be sure to visit the carrier’s travel notices page for complete details.
Virgin Atlantic
On March 13, 2020, Virgin Atlantic announced that it was extending status for Gold and Silver members by six months. While the number of Tier Points needed is staying the same — 1,000 for Gold and 400 for Silver — members will get an additional six months added to their membership year to meet those requirements.
In addition to extending status and requalification period for elites, Flying Club is also extending the validity of some elite benefits. For Gold members, that means that the following will be extended for an additional six months:
- Gold member companion reward for Gold status renewal
- Clubhouse passes for Gold member 1,500 Tier Point rewards
- One cabin upgrade for Gold member 2,000 Tier Point rewards
In order for these benefits to be extended by six months, they must have been valid as of March 13, 2020. The extended validity should show in your Flying Club account by March 20.
WestJet
WestJet told TravelPulse Canada that it began proactively extending and upgrading elite status for some WestJet Rewards members on March 23, 2020. The Canadian airline is handling status extensions on a case-by-case basis and has prioritized members who were on track to achieve status in March, April or May. Further, the airline said that it “will similarly look after those whose tier status may be impacted in the months ahead.”
Earlier this week, TPG contributor Benji Stawski emailed the airline regarding the WestJet Gold status he acquired during the airline’s 2019 status match. This match gave members immediate status through March 31, 2020, with the option to extend through June 30, 2020, by taking one WestJet flight. Stawski didn’t take this flight, but WestJet responded to his inquiry saying that it’s waived the single flight requirement and extended all status matches through June 30, 2020.
As you’d expect, the airline has a broad travel waiver that waives change and cancellation fees for select flights.
Bottom line
Almost every U.S. airline has now extended the validity of their respective elite status members, joining most foreign-flagged carriers in providing relief to loyal customers. Given the evolving nature of the coronavirus outbreak, however, it’s highly likely that these policies will continue to change over the weeks and months to come. Make sure to bookmark this article to check back as we update it with more information.
For more details on how the outbreak is affecting the broader travel industry and up-to-date information, be sure to check out our dedicated coronavirus news page.
Additional reporting by Benji Stawski.
Featured photo by Darren Murph/The Points Guy.
