Expired: How North American Airlines Changed Elite Status and Cancellation Policies During the Global Pandemic (DL/UA/AS/AA/SW/AC)

COV-19 continues to spread across the world, and the United States has also become one of the hardest-hit countries.

This pandemic has been a huge shock to the travel industry, and airlines have been hit especially hard. With large numbers of business and personal travelers canceling their trips, requalifying for or pursuing Elite status in 2020 became both very difficult and somewhat risky. In order to retain their frequent premium travelers（大老板）, airlines rolled out a series of status-extension and requalification promotions. This post is a roundup of policies from the major North American airlines.

Delta 达美

• Delta - Official Announcement
• Your 2020 elite status is automatically extended, with expiration moved to 1/31/2022.
• MQMs earned from flying and credit card spending in 2020 and 2021 will count toward 2021, helping you qualify for 2022 status.
• All 2021 Diamond and Platinum members can select Choice Benefits again.
• If your SkyClub membership expired on or after 3/1/2020, it will be extended by six months.
• The $100 DL credit on the Delta AMEX Gold card will also be extended by six months.
• Companion Certificates from the Platinum and Reserve cards: if they expire between 3/1/2020 ~ 6/30/2020, they will be extended to 12/31/2020; if they expire between 7/1/2020 ~ 4/1/2021, they will be extended by six months.
• SkyClub Passes from the Reserve card will be extended by six months.

United

• United - Official Announcement
• Your 2020 elite status is automatically extended, with expiration moved to 1/31/2022.
• PQPs earned from flying and credit card spending in 2020 and 2021 will count toward 2021, helping you qualify for 2022 status.
• All 2020 PQP and flight requirements are cut in half.
• UA lounge memberships, wifi plans, economy plus subscriptions, and PlusPoints are all extended by six months.
• If your SkyClub membership expired on or after 3/1 /2020, it will be extended by six months
• Chase UA credit cards offer additional PQP.
• Travel certificates are valid for 24 months.
• Mileage award ticket redeposit fees are waived in 2020.

Alaska - 阿拉斯加航空

• AS - Official Announcement
• Existing elite status is extended by one year, through 12/31/2021.
• If you were participating in a status challenge, status will be granted directly without needing to meet the challenge requirements, and it will likewise be extended to 12/31/2020.
• Companion fares expiring this year are extended to the end of this year, and can be used to book travel through November 26, 2021.
• Miles flown between 1/1-4/30 this year will be added to your 2021 elite-qualifying miles.
• AS Lounge memberships are extended by six months.
• Travel Founds: those issued before March are extended by 6 months and can be used to book travel 6 months later. Founds from March, April, and May are extended to 7/5/2021, and can be used to book travel through 5/31/2022.

AA

• American - Official Policy
• Your 2020 elite status is automatically extended, with expiration moved to 1/31/2022.
• Elite qualification requirements for EQD and EQS in 2020 are significantly reduced.
• Platinum members receive special consideration.
• Miles earned through AA credit card spending can count toward lifetime status miles, as well as Million Miler rewards.
• Admirals club memberships / passes are extended by six months.
• Gold members and above can receive a $300-$400 AA vacation package credit on 7/1/2020.
• For all flights booked by 5/30 for travel by 9/30, award tickets can be canceled for free with no redeposit fee.

Southwest - 西南航空

• Southwest - Official Announcement
• Existing A-List and A-List Preferred status is extended by one year, through 12/31/2021.
• Companion Pass is extended to 6/30/2021.
• All Southwest Rapid Rewards Members will receive a status boost. For status, Southwest is giving 15,000 tier-qualifying points and 10 flight segments for free. For Companion Pass, Southwest is giving 25,000 qualifying points and 25 flight segments for free.
• Travel Founds: any founds expiring between 3/1/2020~9/7/2020, as well as new founds generated during that period, are extended to 9/7/2022.
• Travel Founds can also be converted into points based on the current value.

Air Canada

• Air Canada - Official Policy
• Your 2020 elite status is automatically extended, with expiration moved to 12/31/2021.
• If you still complete Air Canada elite requirements in 2020, you can receive your status as usual and also get an additional matching status to give away as a gift.
• Donate miles to earn elite-qualifying AQM: for every 5 miles donated, you receive 1 AQM. The minimum donation is 1,000 miles, and you can earn up to 25,000 AQM.
• For all flights booked by 5/30 for travel by 9/30, award tickets can be canceled for free with no redeposit fee.

Summary

Each airline has its own unique features, but most of these updates are good news.

That said, airlines are already struggling to survive, and mileage devaluations could happen at any time. Earn and burn while you still can!