As we enter 2026, many travelers are reflecting on their hotel loyalty program status and planning how to maximize their benefits for the new year. If you already hold elite status, you may have a grace period before any potential downgrades occur.
If you have elite status at a hotel through a credit card, maintaining it is simple—just keep the card and pay the annual fee. However, if your status depends on meeting specific criteria, such as staying a certain number of nights or spending a required amount on a co-branded credit card, you must have fulfilled those requirements by December 31, 2025.
On January 1, 2026, your progress toward status resets to zero, and you’ll need to start fresh to qualify for the next year.
Below are the 2026 reset timelines for each major hotel loyalty program.
Hilton Honors
If you were unable to requalify for your Hilton Honors elite status in 2025, don’t worry—you’ll typically retain your status until the end of March 2026. This grace period provides an additional three months to enjoy the benefits of your elite tier.
However, it’s important to note that this extended time does not contribute to requalifying for status. To maintain your elite level for the remainder of 2026, you needed to meet the requalification requirements by December 31, 2025.
World of Hyatt
Hyatt’s elite status operates on a cycle that runs through the end of February. In other words, if you didn’t requalify based on your 2025 activity, you’ll generally continue to enjoy your current elite perks until February 28, 2026.
Starting March 1, 2026, your status will reflect the tier you earned based on your 2025 activity. If you earned a higher tier, you’ll keep those benefits moving forward. If you didn’t requalify, your status will downgrade accordingly.
IHG One Rewards
IHG elite status is based on activity in a calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If you earn elite status during a calendar year, IHG states that status is maintained through the end of the following calendar year.
In practical terms: if you didn’t requalify during 2025 for the status you want to hold long-term, your elite status will update based on your 2025 activity starting January 1, 2026.
Marriott Bonvoy
- In January 2026, Members who achieved their existing Elite Status again in 2025 will have their current status renewed through February 2027.
- In early March 2026, Members who did not re-achieve their existing Elite Status will be offered one tier below their current status through February 2027. Members will see their new status in March 2026 and can enjoy that new status through February 2027.
- Members who achieve a higher Elite Status during 2025 already have a status expiration date of February 2027.
Wyndham Rewards
Wyndham member levels don’t simply “reset on January 1.” Instead, Wyndham says your Member Level is typically scheduled to expire at the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which it was obtained.
So if you earned or renewed status based on your 2025 activity, you’d typically keep that level through December 31, 2026 (unless a specific exception applies). You can extend your status term (or earn a higher level) by continuing to complete Qualifying Nights.
Choice Privileges
Choice Privileges requires members to requalify for elite status each calendar year. If you don’t requalify by the end of the year, Choice uses a process called Status Soft Landing.
That means on January 1 of the following year, your status typically drops one tier (rather than falling all the way to the bottom immediately). If you still don’t requalify by the end of that next calendar year, you may drop another tier on the next January 1, and so on.
Best Western Rewards
Best Western Rewards status is valid for the year it’s earned and continues through the end of the following year. For example, an elite tier achieved in 2026 will remain valid until December 31, 2027.
Final Thoughts
Elite status is a valuable perk for frequent travelers. While some loyalty programs reset status on January 1st, many offer a grace period lasting into February or March. This gives you extra time to enjoy your current benefits while planning your next steps.
Use this period wisely! Many programs offer status challenges or the option to purchase an upgrade, giving you a second chance to retain your perks. Whether it’s leveraging credit card benefits, planning strategic stays, or exploring promotions, there are ways to maximize your status and keep enjoying elite treatment.
What’s your plan for maintaining or upgrading your status in 2026? Share your strategies in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
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