If you’ve logged into your airline account lately and done a double take, you’re not alone. Some frequent flyers are opening emails this month to find an unexpected perk waiting for them: elite status they didn’t technically earn.
The news surfaced via The Points Guy, which gathered firsthand accounts from travelers and confirmed the practice with both airlines. According to that reporting, both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have quietly begun gifting or extending elite status to select loyalty members for 2026, even if they fell short of the usual qualification thresholds.
Related: The Secret to Choosing the Best Airline Loyalty Program
View this post on InstagramIn Delta’s case, some SkyMiles members who narrowly missed requalifying for Medallion status have received emails confirming they’ll keep their tier for another year anyway. The messaging emphasizes loyalty and engagement, suggesting Delta is rewarding customers who were close—or consistently active—even if the numbers didn’t quite add up. Delta has since confirmed that these extensions are handled individually, rather than rolled out as a blanket policy.
United appears to be taking a similar approach. A number of MileagePlus members have reported their Premier status quietly rolling over into 2026, despite not meeting the usual requirements. Like Delta, United hasn’t made a public announcement, which makes the move feel more like a targeted goodwill gesture than a formal program change.
Elite status is harder to earn than it once was, with higher spending thresholds and fewer shortcuts. At the same time, the perks that come with status—complimentary upgrades, waived fees, priority treatment—can feel more competitive and less guaranteed. Losing a tier you’ve held for years can sting, especially for frequent travelers who’ve built their routines around those benefits.
Related: American Airlines Tweaks Its 2026 Loyalty Program—With a Few Surprisingly Useful Extras
American Airlines, meanwhile, is on a different calendar. Its status year runs through late February, and while the airline hasn’t been reported to gift status outright, it has offered members the option to buy elite status with cash or miles if they fall short—a more transactional, but predictable, alternative.
If you were close to qualifying, it’s worth checking your account before assuming a downgrade is final. These gestures aren’t promised or widely advertised, but they suggest airlines are paying attention to loyalty in ways that go beyond strict math.
And if you didn’t get lucky this time? There’s always next year—and maybe a little extra motivation to rack up those miles again.
Related: 7 Things American Airlines Is Changing That Passengers Will Actually Notice by 2026
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