My Loyalty Portfolio 2026

It’s March already (again). Like in previous years, I disclose my loyalty status strategy to you in this post. I still hope it is interesting, especially as I will also try to share some of the thoughts which are behind my changes in pursuing status levels at different airlines, hotel chains and transport providers. Here is My Loyalty Portfolio.

My Loyalty Portfolio 2025

Airline Programs

My key loyalty programs are definitely on the aviation side. Thus, I start with these programs.

Lufthansa (Star Alliance) Miles & More

Status in 2025: Frequent Traveler / Star Alliance Silver
Outlook in 2025: Uncertain
Status March 2026: Frequent Traveler
Trend 2026: Increase
Target Status early 2027: Senator / Star Alliance Gold

Lufthansa is something like the comeback of the year. I already shared my farewell after being Lufthansa Senator for nine consecutive years in 2024. However, the massive restructuring of the British Airways program, turning it from a slightly too easy scheme to a Mission Impossible brought the Germans back in the spotlight. If there won’t be any travel issues, e.g. due to the Middle East crisis, I will be back at Lufthansa’s second higher tier in summer 2026 already. As under the current situation, Skyteam and Star Alliance feel like a perfect combination for my travel needs, I expect having a stable outlook for 2027.

British Airways (OneWorld) Executive Club

Status in 2025: BA Gold / OneWorld Emerald
Outlook in 2025: decreasing
Status March 2026: BA Gold / OneWorld Emerald
Trend 2026: no target status / release
Target Status early 2027: BA Silver / OneWorld Sapphire

As said above: I would not necessarily say that Lufthansa really attracted me and brought me back to their scheme Miles & More. It was rather British Airways and their The Club, which kicked me out of OneWorld for the time being. I feel that they changed their focus too drastically on revenue-making – which might simply mean that many British people, especially those who live outside London (and have to transfer anyway…) might opt for SkyTeam or other schemes. My BA Gold will run out end of April 2026. Only the Soft Landing, i.e. that I don’t drop entirely, will give me two additional years of British Airways status. So far, there is no OneWorld flight in my future flight planning.

KLM / Air France (SkyTeam) Flying Blue

Status in 2025:Platinum / Skyteam Elite Plus
Outlook in 2025: constant to raising
Status March 2026: Platinum / Skyteam Elite Plus
Trend 2026: constant, increasing
Target Status early 2027: Platinum – outlook: Platinum for Life

Especially for travelling within Europe (outside Germany), Air France and KLM are my key flight providers. With the continuing merger with SAS, SkyTeam also features some very attractive connections to me, e.g. to the Faroe Islands (FAE) or Stockholm (ARN). The level of service the Platinum hotline is giving me is the best I receive from any airline I frequently fly with currently. The target is the Platinum for Life status. I will make it in a few years, very, very likely.

Icelandair Saga Club

Status in 2025: Blue / None
Outlook in 2025: Positive Outlook
Status March 2026: Blue / soon: Silver
Trend 2026: Keep status
Target Status early 2027: Silver

I do have a certain crush for Icelandair. They are not the handiest from my residence and the transfer in Keflavik (KEF) is always a risk. Even their cabin hardware is – at least in Saga Premium – a bit of limited. But I love the Nordics – and this year, a dream will very likely come true. At the end of April, I aim to have a (material) status at their Saga Club for the first time ever. I am excited for a new aviation partner – especially their deals to North America (one of them is ensuring that I can go for the status) are tempting.

Hotels

Hilton Honors

Status in 2025: Diamond
Outlook in 2025: key program
Status March 2026: Diamond
Trend 2026: constant
Target Status early 2027: Diamond / long-term: Lifetime Diamond

If you read my 2025 – My Year in Travel, you know: when it comes to hotels, I majorly trust Hilton. The Lifetime Diamond status is still quite a bit work and I need to explore how the new Diamond Reserve status will impact their scheme and perks mid-term. But at the moment, there is no reason for me checking out Hilton Hotels with the highest priority. I like this program and try to constantly keep my status there.

GHA Discovery

Status in 2025: Titanium
Outlook in 2025: Increasing Volume of Stays
Status March 2026: Titanium
Trend 2026: Definitely increasing
Target Status early 2027: Titanium

In regards of recognition and perks, I feel that GHA Discovery is the most reliable hotel loyalty program I participate in. I constantly received upgrades and better treatments during my stay. The issues I had after the inclusion of NH Hotels have been solved as well. Thus, I definitely hope to have more GHA hotel stays in 2026 and the upcoming years.

Accor ALL

Status in 2025: Accor ALL Gold
Outlook in 2025: constant
Status March 2026: Accor ALL Gold
Trend 2026: constant
Target Status early 2027: Accor ALL Gold

I need to buy some of the nights I need to keep my Accor ALL Gold status. Nonetheless, they give me reliable service and I really overall like the stays I have with them. This year, there have already been quite some nights in Milan due to the Olympic Games, so that I am very optimistic that I will manage to continue the status into 2027.

Deutsche Hospitality / H World International H-Rewards

Status in 2025: Gold
Outlook in 2025: increase possible
Status March 2026: Gold
Trend 2026: Decreasing / dropping
Target Status early 2027: Silver / no target

You could almost copy and paste the words I used for British Airways in here. Since the transition of Deutsche Hospitality to H World International, the support of frequent customers has been significantly decreased. No more free breakfast for status members since mid of last year turns IntercityHotels, Steigenberger and associated brands into a significantly less attractive choice. Others do better. Furthermore, it feels like especially the international hotels of the group don’t all deliver the reliability of service and comfort, which is a key factor why you go for a branded hotel to me. Thus, my status there will fade. As quite some hotels feel to leave the group as well, it may be a minor loss.

Strawberry (Choice Scandinavia)

Status in 2025: Member (not listed)
Outlook in 2025: Constant
Status March 2026: Silver
Trend 2026: positive outlook
Target Status early 2027: Silver

The Nordics provide very reliable service at reasonable prices. My recent stay at Comfort Hotel Grand Central in Oslo made me climb the first level of their status program for the first time. Especially chains like Hilton and Accor are not that well represented in parts of their home area, they nicely compliment my travel arrangements.

Rail

I do love rail travel as well. And I do have frequent traveler status with the German national railways as well. Here is the shortest section of my post.

Deutsche Bahn BahnBonus

Status in 2025: bahn.bonus Gold
Outlook in 2025: keep
Status March 2026: bahn.bonus Gold
Trend 2026: keep
Target Status early 2027: bahn.bonus Gold

I am having the second-highest tier at German railways, Deutsche Bahn. It should be rather easy to keep that status requiring 2,500 EUR of minimal revenue. Should be doable – and for most domestic trips, rail is definitely my favorite.

Car Rentals

Especially when traveling to different spots abroad, I do need rental car providers. In general, I have access to preferred rates (for travel journalists), which do not allow building up status.

Hertz

Status in 2025: Five Star
Outlook in 2025: Slightly decreasing
Status March 2026: Five Star
Trend 2026: Five Star
Target Status early 2027: Five Star

Hertz is my “traditional” partner for vehicle rentals. After I lost the Five Star status for a brief period, it came back (by credit card match) in early 2026. Apart from Sixt, I feel most comfortable with Hertz and look forward to some rentals in 2026.

Sixt

Status in 2025: Platinum (linked to Lufthansa Senator)
Outlook in 2025: decreasing in 2025
Status March 2026: Platinum
Trend 2026: steady
Target Status early 2027: Platinum

In average, I likely had the best car rentals with Sixt. However, other companies typically have better deals, so that I use the company comparably rarely. A bit of a shame – but sometime economy beats quality. Nonetheless, I really like their service, the status is assured by a credit card.