Current airline elite status match and challenge options you should know about

news7g12/02/2022

10 10 minutes read

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

We’re all looking for ways to make air travel more comfortable and affordable. Benefits like upgrades, lounge access, early boarding, free seat selection and waived baggage fees are universally desirable but only applicable to the small percentage of flyers who hold elite status — or the right credit card.

Most elite flyers earn status via the traditional method of many days in the air and thousands of dollars spent with a single airline. However, there are ways to get around these requirements or leverage existing elite status to jump ship to another carrier.

This can be especially valuable if you realize you might not be able to requalify for the same elite status you currently hold. In this guide, I’ll highlight how you can shortcut your way to elite perks by completing a status challenge or (if you’re lucky) by utilizing a straight status match.

Preparation and precautions

Let’s first cover some basic strategies and principles to help you complete a status challenge or successfully obtain a match.

With a status match, an airline will give you an equivalent or lower status tier based on the status you’ve already earned with a competing carrier’s program. The matching airline will ask for proof of your status, usually via a photo of your membership card and a mileage statement showing your recent activity.

Warning: A Photoshopped or HTML code-altered credential only risks getting you in trouble with programs. It could lead to more severe consequences, like losing your account altogether. It’s not worth it, so don’t try it.

With a status challenge, an airline may or may not require you to have status already. The carrier will specify the number of elite qualifying miles you must earn — and sometimes elite qualifying dollars you must spend — in a given time frame to achieve a specific elite tier. Some challenges have different qualifying requirements for each status tier, and others even let you enjoy temporary status during the challenge period.

It’s important to understand exactly how the status challenge you enroll in works. For example, you should always double-check which qualifying miles, dollars and segments count toward the challenge. For example, cobranded credit cards that help you earn status are sometimes excluded from status challenges.

Additionally, partner airline tickets are not always eligible for status challenges. With the often complicated formulas required to decipher these earnings, make sure you double and triple-check your research when planning your challenge strategy.

Sometimes status matches and challenges are targeted to specific members. Ensure your email preferences are set up to receive all offers available and follow TPG to know when the occasional non-targeted status match appears.

A few other things to keep in mind:

Most status challenges and matches are limited to once per lifetime per account. United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are notable exceptions, offering them once every five and three years, respectively.
You generally can’t match status from another airline in the same alliance.
Try to complete a match or challenge after June so you can enjoy status the rest of the year and hopefully have a chance to keep it through the following calendar year (you should read the terms to be sure this works on the specific carrier).
Keep an eye on airline mergers and acquisitions so you can strategically complete a status match or challenge with the airline being absorbed. This will hopefully grandfather you into status with the new airline.

Airlines don’t always publicize their status match and challenge opportunities. Many phone calls and emails to generic “contact us” addresses are often necessary, as is checking sites like StatusMatcher. For programs where an official status match opportunity is not made publicly available, your experience may differ from other flyers — since whether or not you get matched may depend on the agent who processes your request.

Now, let’s take a look at the current status match and challenge options across the major airlines.

Alaska Airlines

There once was a time when Alaska Airlines would outright match status from competing carriers, no questions asked. However, status matches now include a challenge component.

When you request a status match, you’ll receive a corresponding status level in Alaska’s Mileage Plan program for 90 days. To keep the status after this period, you’ll need to fly a certain number of miles on flights marketed by Alaska Airlines and operated by Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air or SkyWest Airlines, depending on what tier you’re matching to:

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

Unfortunately, there’s no status match opportunity to Alaska’s MVP Gold 100K tier.

To submit a request, head to the dedicated status match page and upload a screenshot of your current competing mileage statement with your name, status, and miles earned this year or miles flown the prior year to earn elite status.

If you’re matched to MVP Gold 75K, you’re not eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles associated with qualifying for MVP Gold 75K status. However, matches to Gold and Gold 75K do include nominations for Gold Guest Upgrades, and lounge day passes. MVP Gold 75K MVP nominations will be available after the member has met the flight requirement during the initial 90-day period for the respective elite status.

Note that if you make your request by the end of June and complete the requirements, you can keep your new status through the end of the calendar year. If you start your status match on or after July 1, your status will be valid through the end of the following year. Keep this in mind when deciding how to time your challenge.

American Airlines

American Airlines uses Loyalty Points as its elite status metric. In October, American unveiled its status challenge program, named ”Instant Status Pass.“

In order to register for a status match, you will need need to check under the “Promotions” tab of your AAdvantage account homepage or contact the AAdvantage customer service center (800-433-7300). The American representative will provide details of your personalized offer.

When you register for a challenge, you will be given details on what your offer entails and will also be charged a co-pay, based on various factors — including your current status with American and your historical flying patterns with American to name a few.

American’s revamped status challenge will now be broken up into three phases, each consisting of a four-month period, with the first phase beginning as soon as you register. During this time, you’ll instantly begin enjoying the benefits of the status tier that you signed up for.

To extend your temporary status for another four months, you’ll need to earn a prorated amount of Loyalty Points, equating to roughly one-third of the full, yearlong requirement.

AAdvantage Gold: 10,000 Loyalty Points.
AAdvantage Platinum: 25,000 Loyalty Points.
AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 42,000 Loyalty Points.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 67,000 Loyalty Points.

During each four-month phase, you will need to earn Loyalty Points through qualifying activities with American or its flying and non-flying partners as well as from cobranded credit card spending. All activities will count toward your status challenge.

Ultimately, whatever status you’re striving for depends on how many Loyalty Points you earn in the first phase. Regardless of which status tier you registered for, you’ll begin the second phase with the status benefits that you unlocked in the previous phase.

Additionally, there’s currently an American Airline status option for World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members. When you register by Dec. 28, Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members who have linked (or will link their accounts by Dec. 12) are eligible for American Airlines status from American’s Instant Status Pass. Explorist and Globalist members receive instant Platinum and Platinum Pro status, respectively. Status is valid for four months after registering, and you’ll have to earn a certain number of Loyalty Points to extend or upgrade your status for another four months.

Delta Air Lines

Delta has a public SkyMiles Medallion status challenge landing page where you can upload proof of your current status with a qualifying airline and request a challenge.

Each status tier requires you to earn a set number of Medallion Qualification Miles or Medallion Qualification Segments and Medallion Qualification Dollars. For example, those matching to Platinum Medallion status need to earn 18,750 MQMs or 25 MQSs and $2,250 MQDs during the 90-day status match period.

If you meet the requirements, your status validity depends on the date you registered for the status challenge. Since we’re nearing the end of the year, any challenge started after July 1, 2022 and complete the challenge: Medallion status will be extended through Jan. 31, 2024. Keep an eye on Delta’s website for information on next year’s expiration dates.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier’s most recent status match offer ended on Dec. 31, 2021, and no new offer has been announced. You can, however, fill out this registration form to be notified if that changes.

In the past, Frontier has even offered matches to those with hotel elite status.

Hawaiian Airlines

While not publicly advertised, HawaiianMiles has historically offered status matches up to top-tier Platinum status on a case-by-case basis via its online contact form.

Hawaiian Airlines requires two things:

Proof of current elite status.
Documentation of flights completed that earned the elite status, including flight activity to at least one of Hawaiian’s destinations.

Matches are good for one calendar year from the time of upgrade.

JetBlue Airways

There are currently no status match or challenge options for JetBlue. However, you can earn Mosaic status by spending $50,000 annually on the JetBlue Plus or JetBlue Business Card.

The information for the JetBlue Plus and JetBlue Business cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Boeing 737-800 interior. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The Southwest status match and challenge programs were previously difficult to find — it required calling in and finding an agent who knew the programs existed. But the airline has now brought the programs out of the shadows and has all the terms and conditions on its website.

You’ll need to have status with another domestic airline to be eligible to match to Southwest A-List status, but it appears any status will do. To start the process, email your full name, Rapid Rewards account number and proof of elite status to [email protected].

Once the request is processed, you’ll receive promotional A-List status for 90 days. According to Southwest, this typically happens within 12 business days of submission.

To extend your A-List status for an additional 12 months, you must book and complete three qualifying round-trip flights (or six one-ways) within 90 days. Flights must be revenue fares, not award tickets. Current A-List members with expiring status are not eligible to status match.

Note that the terms and conditions state you must book and complete your flights during the 90-day period, so existing bookings theoretically won’t count. However, since Southwest makes it easy to cancel and rebook flights without penalty, you should be able to turn existing bookings into new ones without too much trouble as long as the fare hasn’t increased.

Do note that the Southwest status match is available to you if you haven’t received promotional A-List status in any program — including a status match and challenge — within the last 12 months.

Spirit Airlines

Those with existing elite status on many U.S. carriers are eligible for a 90-day status match to Spirit’s Silver or Gold tiers, depending on their existing elite status.

Here’s a look at elite statuses that are eligible for Spirit’s status match:

Airline	Silver status match	Gold status match
Alaska Airlines	MVP.	MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K.
American Airlines	Gold	Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum.
Delta Air Lines	Silver Medallion.	Platinum, Gold and Diamond Medallion.
Frontier	Unclear, error on Spirit’s website.	N/A.
Hawaiian	Gold.	Platinum.
JetBlue	N/A.	Mosaic.
Southwest	A-List.	A-List Preferred and Companion Pass.
United Airlines	Premier Silver.	Premier Gold, Platinum and 1K.

This status can be extended by fulfilling the following requirements in the 90-day window:

Free Spirit Silver: Earn 500 SQPs by flying Spirit or spending on a cobranded credit card.
Free Spirit Gold: Earn 1,250 SQPs by flying Spirit or spending on a cobranded credit card.

It might be worth enrolling in this status match if you have an upcoming trip with Spirit. Both Silver and Gold elite members get a host of waived fees, like free seat selection, priority boarding and same-day standby. You’re even eligible for a free checked and carry-on bag at the Gold level.

You can register for this status match on Spirit’s website.

United Airlines

United is offering a Premier Status Match Challenge promotion through Dec. 20. You can register for and undertake one if you have elite status with one of many of the major U.S. or British airlines.

After you enroll via the online form, you have 120 days to earn a set number of Premier qualifying flights and Premier qualifying points to extend your elite status. You will hold temporary status during the challenge period.

Challenges are limited to once every five years per MileagePlus account. Once you requalify, your new United elite status is valid through January 2024.

Bottom line

Airlines typically utilize a match or challenge to lure elite customers (who represent a significant revenue source) away from the competition. However, that doesn’t mean we, the customers, can’t benefit from these opportunities as well. Status matches and challenges can be a great way to start with status if you move to a hub where your existing airline doesn’t fly.

Additionally, they provide a shortcut to great perks and cost-saving measures such as waived fees. It could even make sense to undertake a challenge to enjoy benefits for one specific (likely international) trip.

That said, make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of a status match or challenge before you apply, and be sure you can meet the requirements before submitting your request. Also, don’t forget to check for match or challenge opportunities with foreign carriers that could provide alliance elite status for lounge access or increased baggage capacity on domestic airlines.

Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, Richard Kerr, Andrew Kunesh and Kyle Olsen.

news7g12/02/2022

10 10 minutes read