A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
It's pretty easy to keep hotel statuses at no net cost to you. If you want them, even for the occasional leisure stay, you can have them.
As for airlines, it can be liberating to hold no status. ULCCs if you want to go bare-bones Y or, in many markets, affordable J/F fares if you need to fly a legacy carrier.