Not on My Dime: Elite Qualification ASAP and An Upcoming Churn
Posted by Howie Tuesday, February 14, 2012, No Comments
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Qualify as quickly as you can for elite status. Travel plans change, work changes, life changes! I’m currently losing points every day I stay at a Starwood property. Even with 140+ nights last year I’m hopping every night. Once I hit 25 stays (sometime this month), I’ll adjust my behavior and will enjoy double and triple points.
Anyone else playing this game? What programs are you attempting to qualify in and how far in are you?!? I’m always looking for reasons to try something new. 
On the air side of things, I’m sitting at over 200,000 Delta MQM thanks to rollover, but I’ll do plenty there to keep status going. In fact I’ve booked six award tickets so far this year for Sara and me, with more likely coming. Nothing crazy, just some jaunts up the east coast to see family and friends.
Last year I almost forgot to make my Platinum Medallion Choice Benefit. I had gifted a friend Gold status, and this past year I did the same thing for Sara. The other benefit I typically choose is the SWUs, which I use on transcontinental and the occasional last-minute International fare. Don’t forget to make yours by February 29th! I’ve got some work to do. I’ll probably pick some SWUs for Platinum again.
The other thing on my mind is an impending churn for Sara and me. I got a targeted 100K American Express Platinum offer that I’ll be going for, in addition to Ink Bold and a Citi Premier. Sara will likely do the same, except she’ll be going for the Delta Reserve. She lost her free access (travel buddy) to the Delta Skyclub when she travels so we need to take care of her. We’ll use the additional miles and MQM to get her up to Gold again on her own. Otherwise it’ll be another year of gifting.
I’m debating on adding a fourth card through Bank of America or Barclays or Hawaiian. With credit scores over 800, we can take a small hit for now. What do y’all think?
