Benchmarks

Loyalty program comparison

Six major US airline programs side by side, checked Oct 24, 2026 on airline pages. Rules announced for 2027 are shown with their effective date.

What stands out

  • United drops flight counts on Jan 1, 2027. Status becomes points only, from 6,000 to 32,000 PQP.
  • Southwest adds a Platinum tier in 2027 with an unlimited Companion Pass at 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights.
  • Atmos members choose distance, price or segments as their earn basis for flights from Jan 1, 2027.
ProgramBase earnElite tiersStatus from cardMiles expirePoolingSource
Delta logoDelta SkyMiles5 miles per $ on Classic or Refundable fares, 7 on Extra, 2 on Delta Basic experiences; Delta Main Basic earns 0Revenue (miles per $ of ticket price)Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDsGold Medallion: $10,000 MQDsPlatinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDsDiamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDsCalendar year 2026 for 2027 status (valid to Jan 31, 2028). MQDs only; no flight-count metric.Platinum and Reserve cards: $2,500 MQD Headstart plus $1 MQD per $20 or $10 spentNo. Delta says miles don't expire.Not offered. Delta says miles cannot be pooled or combined; members can transfer miles for 1 cent a mile plus $30 a transactionOfficial page
United logoUnited MileagePlus3 miles per $ for general members (6 with an eligible United card) on tickets issued from Apr 2, 2026. Basic Economy: 0 without a cardRevenue (miles per $ of fare)Premier Silver: 6,000 PQPPremier Gold: 12,000 PQPPremier Platinum: 18,000 PQPPremier 1K: 32,000 PQP Effective Jan 1, 2027Calendar year. PQF removed from Jan 1, 2027; at least 4 United or United Express flights still required. Effective Jan 1, 20271 PQP per $15 (Club cards) or per $20 (Explorer, Quest, Business). Caps: Explorer 1,000, Quest 18,000, Club 32,000 PQP Effective Jan 1, 2027No. United says miles never expire.Miles pooling for up to 5 MileagePlus members, free; pool leader must be 18 or olderOfficial page
American logoAmerican AAdvantage5 base miles per $; status adds 40% (Gold), 60% (Platinum), 80% (Platinum Pro) or 120% (Executive Platinum)Revenue (miles per $), with Loyalty Points as the status metricGold: 40,000 Loyalty PointsPlatinum: 75,000 Loyalty PointsPlatinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty PointsExecutive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points12 months from Mar 1. Status lasts from qualifying through Mar 31 of the following year.1 Loyalty Point per mile earned on purchases; Globe and Executive add Loyalty Point bonusesYes, after 24 months with no earning or redeeming activity. Not applied to members under 21; 10-K says primary co-brand cardholders are exempt.Not offered. Members can transfer miles to another member (fee applies), up to 300,000 out and 300,000 in per calendar year; transferred miles don't count toward status.Official page
Alaska logoHawaiian logoAtmos RewardsFrom Jan 1, 2027 members choose: distance (1 point per mile flown), price paid (5 points per $1 on Alaska/Hawaiian fares incl. paid upgrades and seats; status points also based on fare paid) or segments (500 points and status points per segment). Members stay on distance unless they switch. Effective Jan 1, 2027Member choice of distance, price paid or segments (current members default to distance) Effective Jan 1, 2027Atmos Silver (oneworld Ruby): 20,000 status pointsAtmos Gold (oneworld Sapphire): 40,000 status pointsAtmos Platinum (oneworld Emerald): 80,000 status pointsAtmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald): 135,000 status pointsCalendar year; benefits run to Jan 31 of the following year.Summit: 1 status point per $2 plus 10,000 each anniversary. Ascent and Business: 1 status point per $3 spentPoints don't expire on active accounts (BofA card terms)Summit cardholders can share points with up to 10 other Atmos members, no transfer feesOfficial page
Southwest logoSouthwest Rapid Rewards2, 6, 10 or 14 points per $ on Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra faresRevenue (points vary by fare: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra)Silver: 35,000 TQPs or 25 flightsGold: 65,000 TQPs or 50 flightsPlatinum (unlimited Companion Pass): 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights Effective Jan 1, 2027Milestones: 20,000 TQPs or 15 flights: points or seat certificates. 95,000 TQPs or 75 flights: 3 Companion Pass trips Effective Jan 1, 2027Calendar year. TQPs become the only qualifying currency; Companion Pass qualifying points retire Effective Jan 1, 20271 TQP per $1 on every card, no cap Effective Jan 1, 2027No. Southwest says points don't expire.Not allowed. Rapid Rewards terms say members may not pool or combine points; transfers to another member cost a feeOfficial page
JetBlue logoJetBlue TrueBlue3 points per $ on JetBlue flights (1 on Base fares); more when booked on jetblue.comRevenue (points per $) with tiles as the status metricMosaic 1: 50 tilesMosaic 2: 100 tilesMosaic 3: 150 tilesMosaic 4: 250 tilesCalendar year; tiles reset Jan 11 tile per $1,000; Premier adds 25 tiles a yearNo. JetBlue says points never expire.Points Pooling with up to 7 friends and family; Family Tiles count children's tiles toward a parent's Mosaic statusOfficial page

Tap a program for tiers, changes and the source.

Delta logoDelta SkyMiles
Base earnUp to 7 miles per $
Top tierDiamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
ExpireNo
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Members

25 million active members, meaning they earned or redeemed miles in the last 12 months (June 2023 Investor Day). Delta doesn't publish a total. Source

Base earn

5 miles per $ on Classic or Refundable fares, 7 on Extra, 2 on Delta Basic experiences; Delta Main Basic earns 0

Elite tiers

Silver Medallion: $5,000 MQDs; Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs; Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs; Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs

Details

  • Earn modelRevenue (miles per $ of ticket price)
  • Status windowCalendar year 2026 for 2027 status (valid to Jan 31, 2028). MQDs only; no flight-count metric.
  • Status from cardPlatinum and Reserve cards: $2,500 MQD Headstart plus $1 MQD per $20 or $10 spent
  • PoolingNot offered. Delta says miles cannot be pooled or combined; members can transfer miles for 1 cent a mile plus $30 a transaction
  • Pay with milesDelta Stays hotels, Delta Cars, Delta Vacations, checked bag fees, Allianz travel insurance, and subscriptions including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Paramount+ and Fox One

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • Medallion earn rates by tier: 7, 8, 9 and 11 miles per $ for Silver to Diamond2026
  • Hyatt elite Dual Earn announced; terms not out (see hotels benchmark)2026-09-09

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · delta.com · delta.com · delta.com · sec.gov · delta.com · delta.com · delta.com

United logoUnited MileagePlus
Base earn3 miles per $, 6 with a United card
Top tierPremier 1K: 32,000 PQP Effective Jan 1, 2027
ExpireNo
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Members

Over 130 million total members (United investor profile, 2026). Source

Base earn

3 miles per $ for general members (6 with an eligible United card) on tickets issued from Apr 2, 2026. Basic Economy: 0 without a card

Elite tiers Effective Jan 1, 2027

Premier Silver: 6,000 PQP; Premier Gold: 12,000 PQP; Premier Platinum: 18,000 PQP; Premier 1K: 32,000 PQP

Details

  • Earn modelRevenue (miles per $ of fare)
  • Status windowCalendar year. PQF removed from Jan 1, 2027; at least 4 United or United Express flights still required. Effective Jan 1, 2027
  • Status from card1 PQP per $15 (Club cards) or per $20 (Explorer, Quest, Business). Caps: Explorer 1,000, Quest 18,000, Club 32,000 PQP Effective Jan 1, 2027
  • PoolingMiles pooling for up to 5 MileagePlus members, free; pool leader must be 18 or older
  • Pay with milesLyft rides (since Apr 29, 2026). Premier members convert miles to Marriott Bonvoy points 1:1
  • SizeMore than 130 million MileagePlus members (total, not active)

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • New earn rates for tickets issued from Apr 2, 2026: 3 miles per $ general, up to 9 for 1K; cardmembers earn 3 more2026-02-19
  • Extra PQP deposit for Premier members: 300 to 1,400 PQP by tier2026-02-01
  • From Jan 1, 2027 PQF is removed. PQP only: Silver 6,000, Gold 12,000, Platinum 18,000, 1K 32,000. Members with a United card by Dec 31, 2026 get starter PQP worth 5% of their tier (300 to 1,600 PQP)2026-10-13
  • Pay with miles for Lyft rides (see rideshare benchmark)2026-04-29

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · united.com · help.lyft.com · united.com · united.com

American logoAmerican AAdvantage
Base earn5 miles per $, up to 11 with status
Top tierExecutive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
ExpireYes
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Members

115 million total members (April 2021, the latest published count). Source

Base earn

5 base miles per $; status adds 40% (Gold), 60% (Platinum), 80% (Platinum Pro) or 120% (Executive Platinum)

Elite tiers

Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points; Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points; Platinum Pro: 125,000 Loyalty Points; Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points

Details

  • Earn modelRevenue (miles per $), with Loyalty Points as the status metric
  • Status window12 months from Mar 1. Status lasts from qualifying through Mar 31 of the following year.
  • Status from card1 Loyalty Point per mile earned on purchases; Globe and Executive add Loyalty Point bonuses
  • PoolingNot offered. Members can transfer miles to another member (fee applies), up to 300,000 out and 300,000 in per calendar year; transferred miles don't count toward status.
  • Pay with milesCash and miles on American flights in the contiguous 48 states, seats, Instant Upgrades

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • Status and Loyalty Point Reward levels unchanged for a third year2026-01-07
  • Loyalty Point bonus from select partner platforms at 60,000 LP rises from 20% to 25%2026-03-01
  • Barclays Aviator accounts move to Citi; Citi is now the only issuer2026-04-24
  • Status members upgrade to Premium Economy on select Hawaii and transcon flights2026-08-25
  • Free Wi-Fi sponsored by AT&T for members on narrowbody and dual-class regional fleets2026-01

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · news.aa.com · aa.com · aa.com · sec.gov · aa.com

Alaska logoHawaiian logoAtmos Rewards
Base earnChoose distance, price or segmentsEffective Jan 1, 2027
Top tierAtmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald): 135,000 status points
ExpirePoints don't expire on active accounts (BofA card terms)
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Base earn

From Jan 1, 2027 members choose: distance (1 point per mile flown), price paid (5 points per $1 on Alaska/Hawaiian fares incl. paid upgrades and seats; status points also based on fare paid) or segments (500 points and status points per segment). Members stay on distance unless they switch.

Elite tiers

Atmos Silver (oneworld Ruby): 20,000 status points; Atmos Gold (oneworld Sapphire): 40,000 status points; Atmos Platinum (oneworld Emerald): 80,000 status points; Atmos Titanium (oneworld Emerald): 135,000 status points

Details

  • Earn modelMember choice of distance, price paid or segments (current members default to distance) Effective Jan 1, 2027
  • Status windowCalendar year; benefits run to Jan 31 of the following year.
  • Status from cardSummit: 1 status point per $2 plus 10,000 each anniversary. Ascent and Business: 1 status point per $3 spent
  • PoolingSummit cardholders can share points with up to 10 other Atmos members, no transfer fees
  • Pay with milesStays by Alaska Vacations hotels (see hotels benchmark)
  • SizeNo member count. Alaska says active membership is growing about four times faster than before.

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • Atmos Rewards replaces Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles; Summit Visa Infinite card launches2025-08-20
  • Status points from non-air partners: Lyft, hotels, shopping, dining2026-01-21
  • Choose how you earn (distance, price or segments) from Oct 1, 2026; six Atmos Communities; debit card planned early 2027; BofA point transfers planned 20272026-09-29

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · news.alaskaair.com · news.alaskaair.com · bankofamerica.com · alaskaair.com · alaskaair.com

Southwest logoSouthwest Rapid Rewards
Base earn2 to 14 points per $, by fare
Top tierPlatinum (unlimited Companion Pass): 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights Effective Jan 1, 2027
ExpireNo
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Members

Nearly 100 million total members, a record (Q2 2026 results). Source

Base earn

2, 6, 10 or 14 points per $ on Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred and Choice Extra fares

Elite tiers Effective Jan 1, 2027

Silver: 35,000 TQPs or 25 flights; Gold: 65,000 TQPs or 50 flights; Platinum (unlimited Companion Pass): 140,000 TQPs or 100 flights

Milestones Effective Jan 1, 2027

20,000 TQPs or 15 flights: points or seat certificates. 95,000 TQPs or 75 flights: 3 Companion Pass trips

Details

  • Earn modelRevenue (points vary by fare: Basic, Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra)
  • Status windowCalendar year. TQPs become the only qualifying currency; Companion Pass qualifying points retire Effective Jan 1, 2027
  • Status from card1 TQP per $1 on every card, no cap Effective Jan 1, 2027
  • Award pricingPoints needed are set by Southwest and vary by flight; no blackout dates
  • PoolingNot allowed. Rapid Rewards terms say members may not pool or combine points; transfers to another member cost a fee
  • Pay with milesCar rentals on cars.southwest.com from mid-November 2026
  • SizeNearly 100 million Rapid Rewards members (record, Q2 2026; new enrollments +35% YoY)

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • Rapid Rewards card refresh takes effect (see co-brand benchmark for current perks)2025-07-24
  • 2027 program: Silver, Gold and new Platinum tiers; TQPs become the only qualifying currency; Companion Pass via milestones2026-10
  • Redeem points for car rentals from mid-November 20262026-11
  • Earn and burn with Icelandair, China Airlines and Etihad from spring 2027; Icon Lounges and a premium card in 20272027

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · southwest.com · southwest.com · southwest.com · swamedia.com · southwest.com · southwest.com

JetBlue logoJetBlue TrueBlue
Base earn3 points per $, 1 on Base fares
Top tierMosaic 4: 250 tiles
ExpireNo
Tiers, changes and sourceHide details

Base earn

3 points per $ on JetBlue flights (1 on Base fares); more when booked on jetblue.com

Elite tiers

Mosaic 1: 50 tiles; Mosaic 2: 100 tiles; Mosaic 3: 150 tiles; Mosaic 4: 250 tiles

Details

  • Earn modelRevenue (points per $) with tiles as the status metric
  • Status windowCalendar year; tiles reset Jan 1
  • Status from card1 tile per $1,000; Premier adds 25 tiles a year
  • Award pricingAward price varies with the published base fare; no blackout dates
  • PoolingPoints Pooling with up to 7 friends and family; Family Tiles count children's tiles toward a parent's Mosaic status

Changes 2025 to 2027

  • 1 tile per $100 on JetBlue travel and 1 per $1,000 on JetBlue cards2026
  • JetBlue says more perks and a new way to fly up front are coming in 2027; no details yet2027
  • United MileagePlus earn on JetBlue Blue Basic fares (Blue Sky partnership)2026-04-02

Last checked Oct 24, 2026 · Official page · jetblue.com · jetblue.com · cards.barclaycardus.com

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