Interested in an airline status match? Check out our 2024 guide to airline status matches and challenges on The Points Guy.

Most loyalty programs don’t provide an option to prolong elite status past the current year. However, there’s a workaround: By transferring your soon-to-expire elite status to a rival loyalty program, you can possibly retain your benefits by opting for different carriers.

Many airline loyalty programs offer the chance to match elite perks from other programs. For example, if your Delta Air Lines Medallion elite status is about to expire next year, you could potentially match it to a rival program. This usually provides you with temporary elite status in the competing program, which can be prolonged by fulfilling certain flight or revenue criteria.

Consequently, if you meet the requirements, you may obtain free elite status with an alternate airline. Continue reading to discover more about the latest airline status matches and challenges available in 2024.

What does it mean to have an airline status match?

A status match generally entails receiving a comparable or lower status tier with a different airline, based on your current status with a rival airline’s program. So, what motivates airlines to present a status match challenge?

If a traveler has demonstrated considerable loyalty to a specific airline and its rewards program, this might catch the attention of a competing airline. The traveler might contemplate changing their loyalty due to dissatisfaction with their current program or altered circumstances, such as relocating from a city like Houston, where United Airlines predominates, to Atlanta, where Delta operates a major hub.

If you wish to experiment with a different program but don’t want to begin anew, a status match or challenge could be an excellent solution. It’s beneficial to look into the primary opportunities for elite status matches and challenges if you’re considering changing airlines, although there are some warnings to be aware of.

Things to understand about obtaining an airline status match

Here are a few key tactics and guidelines to keep in mind when starting a status match or challenge.

To request a status match, you’ll generally need to submit a photo of your membership card along with a mileage statement as evidence of your current status. It is important not to modify or fabricate your credentials, as doing so could lead to serious repercussions, such as account suspension.

Conversely, a status challenge may or may not necessitate currently holding status. The airline will determine the number of elite qualifying miles or dollars needed to be accumulated within a set period to reach a specific elite level. It is crucial to fully comprehend the prerequisites and identify which activities contribute to the challenge, as certain cobranded credit cards or partner airline tickets might be excluded. Keep in mind that status matches and challenges are generally restricted to once per lifetime per account, although some airlines may have exceptions.

It is commonly recommended to finish a match or challenge post-June to benefit from the status for the remainder of the year and possibly keep it for the subsequent year. Nonetheless, recent airline status match challenges, such as Delta’s newly introduced offer in 2024, will enable you to retain status until January 2026.

Furthermore, it’s important to note that airlines might not always advertise their status match and challenge opportunities. You might need to contact the airline’s customer service by phone or email and look at websites like StatusMatcher. Keep in mind that the result of your request could depend on the agent handling it.

Related: Does airline elite status still hold value?

Alaska Airlines loyalty status equivalency

Alaska Airlines previously provided uncomplicated status matches, but the latest status match procedure now incorporates a challenge element.

Alaska will recognize and match elite status from these programs:

• Aeromexico Rewards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• Delta SkyMiles
• Frontier Miles
• HawaiianMiles
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• United MileagePlus

Upon requesting a status match, you will receive the equivalent status level in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program for a duration of 90 days. To maintain this status after the initial period, you need to fly a specified number of miles on flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest Airlines, relative to the tier you matched.

The necessary flight criteria are as follows:

• MVP: 5,000 miles
• MVP Gold: 10,000 miles
• MVP Gold 75K: 20,000 miles

Regrettably, the MVP Gold 100K tier in Alaska does not offer a status match option.

To submit a request, go to the specific status match page and upload a screenshot of your current mileage statement that shows your name, status, and the miles you’ve earned this year or flown last year to attain elite status.

If you are matched to MVP Gold 75K, you will not qualify for the 50,000 bonus miles that come with achieving that status, even if you reach the 20,000-mile requirement. However, if you match to MVP Gold and maintain that status by flying enough, you will receive four MVP Gold guest upgrades. On the other hand, those who complete the MVP Gold 75K challenge will receive those four upgrades, as well as four Alaska Lounge day passes and the ability to nominate someone for MVP status.

If you request a status match by the end of June and meet the necessary requirements, your new status will remain valid until the year’s end. Conversely, if you start your status match between July 1 and December, and meet the requirements, your status will be extended until the end of the next year. Therefore, applying for it in July or August of this year would extend the validity period to its maximum length.

Related: The Alaska Airlines MVP elite status: What it entails and the process of achieving it

Status match for American Airlines

American Airlines has a status challenge program known as Instant Status Pass, available to Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion members, as well as United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K elite members. Interested individuals can apply on aa.com and be matched to AAdvantage Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status.

The program is divided into three phases, each extending for four months. Once you register, you will instantly begin to benefit from the selected status tier. To keep this temporary status for an additional four months, you must accumulate a proportional amount of Loyalty Points, roughly equivalent to one-third of the yearly requirement.

The number of Loyalty Points needed for each level is as follows:

• AAdvantage Gold: 13,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum: 25,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 42,000 Loyalty Credits
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 67,000 Loyalty Points

Throughout each phase, you have the opportunity to earn Loyalty Points by engaging in qualifying activities with American Airlines, its partners, and through spending on cobranded credit cards. All these activities contribute towards your status challenge.

The level you reach in the initial stage influences your starting position in the following stage. Therefore, irrespective of the original tier you signed up for, you will commence the second stage with the advantages you gained in the previous one.

Related: Essential Tips: How Hyatt and American Airlines enthusiasts can gain extra reward points by connecting their accounts.

Delta Air Lines tier equating

Delta SkyMiles is now providing a status match that can reach up to Platinum Medallion for elite members of multiple airline programs, including international ones such as British Airways Executive Club, Lufthansa Miles & More, Virgin Australia Velocity, as well as major U.S. programs.

Once you provide your details and verification of your current status, you will be assigned to the appropriate Medallion tier for a duration of three months.

As of 2024, achieving Medallion status will transition to a Medallion Qualification Dollar-earning system. To extend your status beyond the initial three months, you will need to earn the following:

If you meet the eligibility criteria and fulfill the additional requirements of the challenge, your Medallion status will be prolonged until January 31, 2026.

Related: Delta Medallion status: What it entails and ways to achieve it

Frontier Airlines status equivalency

Although it is not available yet, you can sign up for the waitlist for Frontier Airlines’ 2024 status match. The landing page provides some information about the new match program, such as:

• You can choose from 45 different airlines, hotels, and cruise lines.
• A newly introduced Elite Silver level will offer 12 points for every dollar spent and include Zone 2 priority boarding.

While additional specifics for 2024 have yet to be disclosed, Frontier has historically required members to pay for the “administrative costs” associated with approving a status match.

Similar: I was given the opportunity to acquire top-tier airline elite status for $499 — here’s my reasoning.

Hawaiian Airlines equivalency for status

Although not publicly advertised, HawaiianMiles has sometimes provided status matches up to their top-tier Platinum status on a case-by-case basis through its online contact form. It never hurts to inquire.

To request a status match from Hawaiian Airlines, the company generally needs two things:

• Verification of existing top-tier status
• Record of flights taken that qualified for elite status, encompassing flight activity to at least one of Hawaiian’s destinations.

Matches are typically valid for one calendar year starting from the date of the upgrade.

How to Upgrade Your Seat on Hawaiian Airlines

JetBlue status match

Although JetBlue once provided a temporary status match for dissatisfied Delta Medallion members after the highly debated changes revealed in 2023, this offer has since expired, and JetBlue now lacks any publicly advertised status match promotion.

Lufthansa status match

Lufthansa’s Miles&More program has introduced a status match offer for elite members of Scandinavian Airlines’ EuroBonus program. This offer is available until September 30th, just after SAS exits the Star Alliance (which includes Lufthansa) and joins the SkyTeam alliance.

EuroBonus Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Pandion members who want to remain within the Star Alliance framework can request an online status match to Miles&More. They need to provide a copy of their current membership card and their Miles&More number. Their status will then be upgraded until February 28, 2025, under the following conditions:

• EuroBonus Silver members will be equated to Frequent Traveller status.
• EuroBonus Gold, Diamond, and Pandion members will be matched to Senator status.

Individuals matched to the Frequent Traveller tier who complete two flight segments with Lufthansa Group or Miles&More airlines by November 30, 2024, will have their matched status extended by 12 months until February 20, 2026. Similarly, those matched to the Senator tier who complete six flight segments will receive a 12-month extension of their status.

The list of airlines with qualifying flight segments is extensive:

• Air Dolomiti
• Austrian Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Discover Airlines
• Eurowings
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa
• Lufthansa City
• Luxair
• Swiss

There is no fee for this status match.

Status match with Southwest Airlines

In the past, it was challenging to find information about Southwest Airlines’ status match and challenge programs since they were not prominently advertised. Now, however, the airline has improved accessibility by listing all the terms and conditions on its website.

To be eligible for a Southwest A-List status match, you must hold elite status with another domestic airline. Any level of elite status appears to be accepted. To start the process, send an email to [email protected], including your full name, Rapid Rewards account number, and proof of your elite status.

Upon processing your request, you will be granted promotional A-List status for a duration of 90 days. Southwest usually confers this status within 12 business days following your submission.

To prolong your A-List membership for another 12 months, you need to book and finish three eligible round-trip flights (or six one-way flights) within a 90-day period. These flights have to be paid fares, not award tickets. Current A-List members with ending status cannot participate in a status match.

It’s crucial to understand that per the terms and conditions, your flights must be both booked and taken within a 90-day period. Although current bookings might not be eligible, Southwest permits straightforward cancellation and rebooking without any penalties. This enables you to change current bookings to new ones, provided the fare hasn’t risen substantially.

To be eligible for the Southwest status match, you must not have obtained promotional A-List status through any program, including status matches and challenges, in the last 12 months.

Related: Southwest A-List status: What it entails and how to achieve it

Spirit Airlines tier equivalence

Like Frontier’s service, the Spirit Airlines status match is presently not accessible. You can sign up on Spirit’s website to enter the waitlist or apply when it becomes available again.

Traditionally, this is the way the program has functioned.

Individuals holding elite status with various North American airlines qualified for a 90-day status match to Spirit Airlines’ Silver or Gold tier, based on their current elite status level.

Here’s a glance at the elite statuses that have qualified for Spirit’s status match previously:

Previously, you could prolong your status by meeting the following criteria within a 90-day period:

• Free Spirit Silver: Accumulate 500 status qualifying points either through flying with Spirit Airlines or using a cobranded credit card.
• Free Spirit Gold: Accumulate 1,250 SQPs through flying with Spirit or making purchases on a co-branded credit card.

Silver and Gold elite members get waived charges for additional services like seat selection, along with priority boarding and same-day standby. At the Gold level, you also qualify for a complimentary checked bag and carry-on bag.

We’ll provide an update to this story if and when the Spirit Airlines status match becomes available again.

Related: Important information to know before traveling with Spirit Airlines

United Airlines status equivalency

United Airlines has reintroduced its MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge promotion for 2024. Members can sign up and enjoy complimentary status for a duration of 120 days.

Here’s an overview of how the statuses of various popular airlines compare to United MileagePlus status:

Based on United’s website, this is merely an incomplete list. You can view the complete list on the Premier Status Match Challenge form.

Following enrollment, members have 120 days to achieve a specified number of Premier qualifying flights and points to maintain their elite status. If Premier status is earned on or after July 1, it remains valid until January 2026. If the status is earned prior to July, the Premier status is valid until January 2025.

Please be aware that flights need to be conducted by United Airlines or United Express; flights with partner airlines (including those within the Star Alliance network) do not qualify. You can only participate in challenges once every five years for each MileagePlus account.

Related: Understanding United Premier status and the steps to achieve it

Virgin Atlantic tier equivalency program

Virgin Atlantic provides a publicly accessible status match for members of certain competing programs.

Based on your current status level, you may qualify for an immediate upgrade to either Second Tier (Silver) or Top Tier (Gold). If you wish to upgrade to Gold, you must have a future paid flight reserved in Upper Class or premium economy to be eligible. For those seeking a Silver upgrade, a future flight booking in any cabin is required for approval. Once your status match is approved, it will remain valid for 12 months from the date your account is upgraded.

Here’s an overview of the eligible programs and status levels:

After your status is upgraded, you will benefit from it for a duration of 12 months. To maintain your status beyond this period, you need to achieve the following within the 12-month timeframe:

• Silver: 400 tier points
• Gold: 1,000 tier points

Individuals holding Virgin Atlantic status enjoy advantages when traveling with the airline and its partners. On Delta flights, Gold members are entitled to priority seating, lounge access on certain flights, priority baggage handling, and additional perks. Furthermore, they receive benefits when flying with SkyTeam member airlines, such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and China Eastern Airlines.

Regrettably, due to Virgin Atlantic’s new membership in SkyTeam, you are unable to leverage your Delta status for this match.

Related: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: How to accumulate and use points for optimal advantage.

Bottom line

Airlines provide status matches and challenges to lure elite customers away from their competitors. As customers, we can take advantage of these opportunities as well. These programs offer a quick way to access benefits, save on expenses, and avoid fees, particularly when relocating to a hub where your favorite airline has limited or no operations.

They can also be beneficial for certain journeys, especially international travel. Additionally, you might consider using them if you are prepared to switch from your current airline due to unfavorable modifications to its program.

Before applying for a status match or challenge, it’s essential to carefully review the terms and conditions, make sure you can meet the requirements, and apply at an appropriate time. Don’t miss out on opportunities with international carriers that could provide alliance elite status, which offers perks such as lounge access and increased baggage allowances on domestic airlines.

If your current elite status is nearing its expiration, be sure to submit your status match request beforehand to ensure you don’t miss the chance.