Getting Elite Travel Status Is About To Get Harder For Everyone

Frequent flier website The Points Guy asks "can a loyalty program have too many elite members?" Based on a series of recently announced changes from some of the largest airlines and hotel brands, the answer is clearly yes. As record numbers of travelers start flying and staying at hotels once again, the lowered thresholds that many travel providers had introduced during the pandemic are not only gone, many of them are making it even harder to achieve elite status than it was before the pandemic.

As one frequent traveler noted, when elite status became easier to achieve during the pandemic, "it made me resent the programs instead of feeling rewarded for my loyalty." Frequent travelers are clearly an entitled and privileged bunch. And yes, I resemble that mentality when traveling sometimes too. So I'm conflicted. On one hand, I'd like more people to have nice things and for travel to be easier for everyone. But the honest truth is, I'd probably rather get the upgrade or keep that seat in a crowded lounge for myself.