End of the year time to take stock and plan for the future: "things didn't go as I planned"

There is an article that I have been publishing every year since I started this site, and it is a snapshot of the year that is coming to a close along with my plans for the coming year.

For the curious, previous installments can be read here: 2024, 2023, 2022 e 2021. Of course, 2020 is also missing because we were all locked in the house and there was very little to report.

Let's start by saying. things didn't go as I had planned last year. Several factors have affected my current situation: regulatory changes, status matches and promotional campaigns.

Loyalty programs, here's what's in my pocket at the end of 2025

As expected I have been downgraded to user base by both Emirates and Virgin Atlantic, although with Emirates I can continue to have small benefits due to Marriott status, but they are very little. One of the most incredible and unexpected situations is that I find myself with as many as 3 Gold Star Alliance cards. in my pocket right now and two Silver (Air Canada and United).

Historically, I have always (and only) accumulated all my Star Alliance flights on my Singapore Airlines Krisflyer card, Gold card that I renewed almost effortlessly since I had already accumulated miles at the end of 2024 and that will expire in August 2026.

As is known then, thanks to Lufthansa's Status Match For Volare card holders, I also have the Senator Miles&More valid until February 28, 2027, indeed the new card just came to me in the mail in the past few days.

And finally, accomplice to the 6 continents challenge launched by Turkish Airlines I also end up with the Elite Miles&Smiles card. of the Turkish company, as well as a balance of over 1M miles to use. My card will be valid until July 2027, so let's say I have enough time to decide how to use the miles.

At Skyteam, not much has changed in my strategy, but a lot has changed in my portfolio. ITA Airways has exited Skyteam, Volare is destined for a dead end, barring last minute surprises, and thus thehe only card I have left in this alliance is Flying Blue.

I am club2000, this status is not public, but is a card that the company "pays tribute" to a small number of people outside France and I have to thank the Italian team of Fb for the trust they have in TFC, when the facts are proven I receive the same benefits provided for Platinum customers, but also some extra pampering, just because of the peculiarity of this card. Of course, I also get recognized as a Skyteam Elite Plus whenever I fly with these companies.

The biggest change was the British Airways fu Executive Club Gold card downgrade, I am now Silver (thanks to soft landing) in the British Club. New rules introduced in early 2025 have literally put me out of business, and not only me. I have not yet chosen the alternative route between Iberia, Finnair, Qatar or Cathay, but that will be a decision to be made during 2026.

Looking at the hotel world, not much has changed, let's say that as I closed 2024 I also find myself 12 months later.

On the edge, that is. during our vacation in Polynesia, I renewed the Diamond level in the Hilton house. If last year thanks to Hilton4Business promos had been easier, that was not the case this year: I crossed the 30-stay mark just days before the qualifying period expired. Fortunately, in hotel chains also count award stays, i.e., those paid with points, to renew the card and not just cash ones as is the case with flights.

Resto Titanium also in the Marriott house, here I had already told how I had bet a lot on Bonvoy in early 2025 maximizing the double-night promo.

Because, looking at the statistics, true that they say I did 82 nights, compared to the 75 required for the Titanium level, but of these 49 were those paid cash, 4 with points and as many as 33 the result of double bonus qualifying nights.

In the IHG house, I renewed, for a fee, Ambassador One Rewards status.. And I have already taken advantage of some of the benefits just during my stay in Polynesia.

Strategy and goals 2026

In the Skyteam house, I am serene, my C2000 card will be renewed for another 12 months, so I will arrive quietly in April 2027.

At home Star Alliance, I will definitely let go of the Gold Krisflyer, in the latter 18 months we have seen changes in program rules, but there is no real incentive to renew this card right now. It doesn't have a "lifetime" path, it doesn't reward those who have Gold in any way on bookings, and so since ITA is now completely within the LH family I don't see an objective reason in uploading my flights here. And in case of need I can always transfer from MR to the SQ card.

The two other cards in my possession are Senator Miles&More and Elite Miles&Smiles. The first one expires in February 27 and the second one in July 27. Of the two certainly the easier to renew is the latter, but the former may be the more satisfying one and the one I will definitely be banking on at the beginning of the new year, not least because as of today AZ flights can only be loaded on Miles&More or United.

I am also doing the math for a maratHON that is, a chase to become a once-in-a-lifetime HON Circle, I have to design a very precise strategy and one that does not risk making my YT channel boring, but it is doable and I am seriously considering doing it. Living 2027 by HON Circle Would really be a "dream."

That leaves out oneworld, here I haven't made a decision yet. Of course if I make the maratHON it will be difficult for me to try to climb back to the Emerald, but certainly by the end of 2026 when my BA Silver expires I will have to make a decision, although here a Status Match could certainly come to my aid.

Speaking of Hotels, I do not foresee any changes, on the contrary. Hilton Honors has reduced the number of stays required to obtain the Diamond level, true put an on top card to mine with the Diamond Reserve, but it will not change my strategy, in fact it will help me renew the card and reach the Lifetime Diamond goal more easily.

It will be a symbolic year instead in Marriott Bonvoy. It will be my 5th year as a Titanium and I will then be halfway to Platinum for life. The goal remains to renew the Titanium and also cross the Gold For Life finish line, which is only 19 nights away.

Finally, I don't see anything new at IHG. and I will not attempt climbs on any other cards unless particularly interesting status matches pop up.

In conclusion

As mentioned my 2025 did not go according to plan. I absolutely did not plan to get the status in the Turkish house let alone think of giving up without even fighting to renew the Emerald oneworld. It is also true that "normal" people hardly have two elite cards I right now have as many as 6.

I reiterate that chasing status always makes sense only if you then exploit it, otherwise let it go and live peacefully with the promiscuity of being able to travel or sleep, each time, with a different partner.