What coronavirus means for elite airplane passengers

Coronavirus is impacting everyone's travel plans. One of the top questions frequent fliers have for travel industry executives is: "What's going to happen to my elite status?" There are clearly far more important things to worry about at the moment but with frequent fliers among the many people stuck at home for weeks, this is clearly something they're pondering. In previous high-profile travel disruptions like 9/11 or the 2003 SARS outbreak, airline loyalty programs automatically extended elite status or relaxed minimum qualifications. However, these are unprecedented times. Up until a few days ago, US airlines were taking a "wait and see" approach in regards to how frequent fliers can earn elite status in 2020/21. While there are ways to earn airline miles that don't involve flying, the best course of action, at the moment, is to wait and hear from the airline. As flight curtailments continue through the spring travel season airlines may take one of these approaches: Extend current loyalty status for up to 12 months; Relax the annual minimum qualifications; Offer status points at a discount to keep your ongoing loyalty. Asian carriers began taking measures to protect fliers' elite status back in February. For example, Cathay Pacific was offering relief to Marco Polo Club members and Club benefits were also extended up to six months at current tier level. Story has more details.<br/>