I originally wrote this post in 2019, and then updated it in 2020, when airlines and hotels were practically giving away elite status due to the pandemic. Back then, I was already noticing the cracks in the system, and now, in 2025, those cracks are starting to resemble fault lines.
Between credit cards offering instant top-tier status, ongoing lounge overcrowding, and elite perks getting less “elite” by the day, what I wrote then feels even more relevant now. And yes, I still think Syndrome from The Incredibles summed it up best:
“…and when everyone’s super, no one will be.”
Not the quote you’d think would inspire a travel blog post, is it? But it fits. These days, elite status no longer holds the same meaning it once did.
When Status Took Work
There was a time, not too long ago, when achieving top-level status with an airline or hotel chain actually required loyalty. That meant being a true road warrior, or a dedicated travel hacker running mileage and mattress runs to earn elite perks the hard way.
Today, many of the perks that were once exclusive to a company’s most loyal customers are handed out to anyone willing to pay for a premium credit card. And the system wasn’t designed for that.
Long-Time Loyalists Aren’t Thrilled
There’s growing frustration among those who earned their status the hard way. Frequent travelers who flew tens of thousands of miles a year or spent months in hotel rooms now share the same tier with people who paid a few hundred dollars in annual fees.
It doesn’t help that some brands continue to hand out perks like candy:
- IHG gives Platinum Elite status to anyone with the IHG One Rewards Premier card—but now their Diamond Elite tier offers better perks, including free breakfast.
- Hilton Aspire cardholders receive automatic Diamond status for a $550 annual fee—no stay requirements apply.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders now receive Platinum Elite status simply by holding the card.
When everyone is a VIP, no one is.
Airline Lounges Are Feeling the Pressure
If you’re willing to pay for a premium credit card, most major airlines are happy to grant you lounge access:
- American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Card – $595 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex – $650 annual fee
- United Club Infinite Card – $695 annual fee
Delta attempted to restrict access in 2023 by limiting Sky Club visits and increasing fees for guests. After a customer revolt, they walked back some changes, but not all of them. Access today remains more limited.
Amex & Priority Pass limitations
If you’re not loyal to a single airline, the American Express Platinum Card used to be a great catch-all: access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass lounges, all for a now-$695 annual fee. (Check out our full list of eligible lounges here.)
However, Amex lounges have also been forced to limit the number of guests, unless you meet a $75,000 yearly spending requirement. Centurion Lounge access is also now restricted to three hours before your flight, and entry upon arrival is no longer permitted.
Priority Pass lounges are overcrowded, and memberships issued by AMEX, Chase, or Capital One no longer include restaurant access. When too many people get in, it’s no longer a perk—it’s just another crowded waiting area.
Hotels Cutting Back on Elite Benefits
It’s not just the airlines. Hotels are feeling the crunch too.
In 2019, we held IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, and Marriott Platinum status, which we achieved through a combination of actual hotel stays and credit card benefits. And honestly? The benefits were already starting to feel watered down.
Today, elite tiers are more accessible than ever. However, upgrades are rare, late checkouts are inconsistent, and “free” breakfasts are becoming increasingly limited, or in Hilton’s case, replaced with a “Food & Beverage credit.”
Is It Our Fault?
Companies dangled these benefits in front of us, and we bit. It made sense: offer elite perks in exchange for credit card loyalty. But once too many people gained access, something had to give. Either reduce the quality of the benefit or make it harder to access.
We’re now watching that balancing act play out in real time.
Where Are We Headed?
To fix the problem, some programs have added even higher elite levels:
- IHG: Diamond Elite is now the top publicly accessible tier
- Marriott: Titanium and Ambassador Elite for the truly dedicated
- Delta: As of 2024, earning Diamond Medallion status via credit card spend requires $700,000 on SkyMiles Platinum Cards or $350,000 on SkyMiles Reserve Cards
The message is clear: if everyone can buy their way to the top, then the real top has to move even higher.
We’ve All Become ‘Elite’—So What’s Left?
The race to the top isn’t over. But it’s starting to feel more like a treadmill. Programs will continue to adjust tiers, perks, and access in an effort to preserve exclusivity for their best (read: most profitable) customers. Meanwhile, we keep swiping our cards and chasing status that doesn’t mean what it used to.
So here we are, surrounded by travelers with elite cards, lounge access, complimentary breakfasts, and “guaranteed” suite upgrades—yet somehow, the experience feels more ordinary than ever. There’s nothing wrong with using perks that are offered, but let’s not fool ourselves into thinking we’re special just because our credit card says so.
Maybe it’s time we all take Edna Mode’s advice and remember:
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
