Complete 2024 guide to airline status matches and challenges

Most loyalty programs don't extend elite status into the next year, but you can maintain benefits by matching your expiring status to a competitor's program.

Many airlines allow you to match elite status with a competing program. For example, if your Delta Medallion status expires, you may be able to match it to a rival airline, granting you temporary status that can be extended by meeting certain flight or revenue criteria.

If eligible, you can earn elite status with another airline, so keep reading to discover the latest airline status match and challenge opportunities for 2024.

What exactly is an airline status match?

A status match lets you gain a similar or lower elite status with a new airline, based on your current status with a competitor's program. But why would airlines offer a status match challenge?

If a traveler is loyal to one airline, it can be appealing for a competing airline to offer a status match. The traveler may switch due to dissatisfaction with their current program or changes in their circumstances, such as moving from a United hub like Houston to a Delta hub like Atlanta.

If you're looking to explore a new airline but don't want to start from scratch, a status match or challenge can be the perfect solution. It's worth checking out the top status match and challenge options available if you're considering switching airlines, but be aware of some important details.

What you should know before pursuing an airline status match

When starting a status match or challenge, there are key strategies and principles you should keep in mind.

For a status match, you'll typically need to submit a photo of your membership card and a mileage statement to verify your status. It's vital to be honest and avoid altering or falsifying your documents, as doing so could lead to severe penalties, such as account suspension.

A status challenge, however, might not require existing status. The airline will outline the number of elite qualifying miles or dollars you need to earn within a set period to reach a specific elite tier. It's important to carefully review the requirements and understand which activities count toward the challenge, as some cobranded credit cards or partner airline tickets may not qualify. Keep in mind that status matches and challenges are typically limited to one per lifetime per account, though some airlines may make exceptions.

It’s generally recommended to complete a match or challenge after June to secure status for the remainder of the year and possibly maintain it into the next year. However, some recent offers, like Delta's status challenge in 2024, let you keep your status until January 2026.

It's important to note that airlines may not always make their status match and challenge offers widely known. You might have to contact the airline's customer service directly or check websites like StatusMatcher for the latest opportunities. Be aware that the outcome of your request may depend on the agent who handles it.

Alaska Airlines Status Match

Alaska Airlines previously provided a simple status match process, but now it includes a challenge component as part of the procedure.

Alaska Airlines will 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

When you request a status match with Alaska Airlines, you will initially receive the equivalent status level in the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program for 90 days. To keep this status longer, you must accumulate a certain number of miles by flying with Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, or SkyWest Airlines, depending on the matched tier.

Here are the required flight thresholds to retain status:

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

Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines does not offer a status match for the MVP Gold 100K tier.

To submit a request, go to the dedicated status match page and upload a screenshot of your current mileage statement that shows your name, status, and miles flown or earned in the past year to qualify for elite status.

If you are matched to MVP Gold 75K, you won't receive the 50,000 bonus miles that typically come with qualifying for that tier, even if you meet the 20,000-mile requirement. However, matching to MVP Gold and maintaining that status will grant you four MVP Gold guest upgrades. If you complete the MVP Gold 75K challenge, you'll receive the upgrades, along with four Alaska Lounge day passes and the opportunity to nominate someone for MVP status.

If you apply for a status match before the end of June and meet the requirements, your new status will last until the end of the calendar year. If you apply between July 1 and December 31, your status will be valid through the end of the following year, meaning applying in July or August maximizes the duration of your status.

American Airlines status match

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

The program is structured in three phases, each lasting four months. Once you register, you'll immediately receive the benefits of the selected status tier. To maintain the temporary status for an additional four months, you'll need to earn a prorated amount of Loyalty Points, which is roughly one-third of the full annual requirement.

The required Loyalty Points for each status tier are as follows:

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

Throughout each phase, you can earn Loyalty Points by engaging in qualifying activities with American Airlines, its partners, and through cobranded credit card spending. All these actions contribute toward your status challenge.

The status you earn during the first phase sets the foundation for the next phase. This means that regardless of the tier you initially registered for, you'll carry over the benefits from your previous phase to the second phase.

Delta Air Lines status match

Delta SkyMiles is offering a status match, up to Platinum Medallion, for elite members of various airline loyalty programs, including international ones like British Airways Executive Club, Lufthansa Miles & More, Virgin Australia Velocity, as well as major U.S. programs.

After you submit your information and proof of your current status, you'll be matched to the corresponding Medallion tier for a duration of three months.

With Medallion status transitioning to the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) system in 2024, you will need to meet specific earning criteria to extend your status beyond the initial three-month period.

If you meet the challenge's additional requirements and qualify, your Medallion status will be valid through January 31, 2026.

Frontier Airlines status match

Although not available yet, you can sign up for the waitlist for Frontier Airlines' 2024 status match program. The program's landing page gives some insights, such as:

• Eligibility to match status from 45 different airlines, hotels, and cruise lines.
• A newly introduced Elite Silver tier offering 12 points per dollar spent and Zone 2 priority boarding.

Although complete details for 2024 are still awaited, Frontier has previously asked members to cover the "administrative costs" associated with processing status matches.

Hawaiian Airlines status match

Although not officially promoted, HawaiianMiles has previously offered status matches up to Platinum level on a case-by-case basis through their online contact form. It’s always worth reaching out.

To request a status match with Hawaiian Airlines, they typically ask for the following:

• Proof of your current elite status.
• Documentation showing the flights that contributed to your elite status, including at least one flight to a Hawaiian destination.

Status matches are generally valid for one full calendar year from the date of the upgrade.

ITA Airways status match

Attention SkyTeam and non-SkyTeam members: ITA Airways' loyalty program, Volare, is offering a status match. Members of top programs like American Airlines AAdvantage and British Airways Executive Club can match their status to ITA's Volare program. See the full list of eligible programs here.

What’s unique about this status match is that even expired status (from January 2023 onwards) can qualify for ITA Volare elite status. If accepted, your elite status will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2025, and you’ll earn 10,000 Volare status qualifying points to help renew or upgrade your status.

Even if you’re not a frequent flyer with ITA Airways, this status match is a great way to gain SkyTeam elite status.

JetBlue status match

JetBlue formerly offered a time-limited status match to upset Delta Medallion members after the controversial changes in 2023, but that offer has now ended. Currently, JetBlue does not have any publicly available status match offers.

Lufthansa status match

Lufthansa's Miles&More program is offering a status match for elite members of Scandinavian Airlines' EuroBonus program. This promotion is available until September 30, just before SAS departs Star Alliance (which Lufthansa is part of) and transitions to the SkyTeam alliance.

EuroBonus Silver, Gold, Diamond, and Pandion members who wish to remain within the Star Alliance network can apply online for a match to Lufthansa's Miles&More program. To qualify, applicants must submit their current status membership card and Miles&More number. If approved, their status will be upgraded until Feb. 28, 2025, as follows:

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

Frequent Traveller members who complete two flight segments with Lufthansa Group or Miles&More airlines by Nov. 30, 2024, will have their matched status extended for an additional 12 months, until Feb. 20, 2026. Senator status members who complete six flight segments will also receive a 12-month extension.

The list of airlines eligible for these flight segments includes:

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

There is no fee for participating in this status match.

Scandinavian Airlines status match

Scandinavian Airlines' EuroBonus program is currently offering a status match to elite members of the following airline loyalty programs:

• Lufthansa Miles&More
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Finnair Plus

Members holding Star Alliance Silver status (from Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines) will be matched to EuroBonus Silver status. Those with Star Alliance Gold status from these programs will be matched to EuroBonus Gold status.

OneWorld Ruby members from British Airways or Finnair are eligible for a match to EuroBonus Silver status, while OneWorld Sapphire members from these programs (such as British Airways Silver members) will be matched to EuroBonus Gold status.

To qualify for this status match, you must be a European resident and have held membership in your current program for at least three months. The match can be completed online here, where you'll need to upload a screenshot of your frequent flyer card or profile, an account statement showing loyalty activity for the past 90 days, and a copy of your passport.

Once your match is approved, your EuroBonus elite status will be valid until March 31, 2025. You can extend this status for another year by completing two flights with SAS for EuroBonus Silver members or five flights for EuroBonus Gold members by March 31, 2025.

Currently a member of Star Alliance, Scandinavian Airlines is set to be acquired by Air France-KLM and will transition from Star Alliance to SkyTeam starting Sept. 1, 2024. This means that from Sept. 1, 2025, your matched status will convert to SkyTeam elite status. You can also opt to match your EuroBonus status to Miles&More to maintain Star Alliance benefits after Sept. 1.

Southwest Airlines status match

In the past, Southwest Airlines' status match and challenge programs were not easy to find due to limited visibility. However, the airline has now made them more transparent by posting all the terms and conditions on its website.

To qualify for the Southwest A-List status match, you must have elite status with another domestic airline. Any level of status is acceptable. To start the process, email [email protected] with your full name, Rapid Rewards account number, and proof of your elite status.

Once your request is processed, you'll be granted promotional A-List status for 90 days. Typically, Southwest will issue this status within 12 business days of receiving your submission.

To extend your A-List status for an additional 12 months, you need to complete three qualifying round-trip flights (or six one-way flights) within 90 days. These must be paid fares, not award tickets. Existing A-List members whose status is expiring are not eligible for a status match.

It's important to remember that your flights must be booked and flown within the 90-day period. While existing reservations may not count, Southwest makes it easy to cancel and rebook without penalties. This means you can modify your bookings if the fare has not increased significantly.

To be eligible for the Southwest status match, you cannot have received promotional A-List status, including through status matches or challenges, within the last 12 months.

Spirit Airlines status match

Similar to Frontier Airlines' program, Spirit Airlines' status match is currently not available. You can sign up on Spirit's website to join the waitlist or apply once the program reopens.

Historically, the program has operated as follows.

Elite members of various North American airlines were previously eligible for a 90-day status match to Spirit's Silver or Gold tiers, based on their current elite level.

Here are some of the elite statuses that qualified for Spirit's status match in the past:

In the past, you could extend your status by meeting the following criteria within the 90-day period:

• Free Spirit Silver: Accumulate 500 status qualifying points through flights with Spirit or spending on a cobranded credit card.
• Free Spirit Gold: Accumulate 1,250 SQPs through flights with Spirit or spending on a cobranded credit card.

Silver and Gold members enjoy waived fees for extras such as seat selection, priority boarding, same-day standby, and a complimentary checked and carry-on bag at the Gold level.

We'll keep you updated if the Spirit Airlines status match becomes available again.

United Airlines status match

In 2024, United Airlines has brought back its MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge. By registering, members can enjoy complimentary status for 120 days.

Here’s a breakdown of how elite statuses from several major airlines convert to United MileagePlus status:

United’s website mentions that this is just a partial list. A complete list can be found on the Premier Status Match Challenge form.

Once enrolled, members have 120 days to complete a required number of Premier qualifying flights and points to maintain their elite status. If Premier status is earned after July 1, it will be valid until January 2026. However, if earned before July, the status will expire in January 2025.

Please note, only flights operated by United or United Express are eligible — flights with Star Alliance partners do not count. The status match challenge can only be taken once every five years per MileagePlus account.

Virgin Atlantic status match

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

Based on your current status, you can instantly match to Silver (Second Tier) or Gold (Top Tier). However, Gold matches require a future paid flight in Upper Class or premium economy, while Silver matches can be approved with any flight booking. Once approved, your matched status will be valid for 12 months starting from the upgrade date.

Here’s a list of eligible programs and status tiers:

Once your status is upgraded, you will enjoy it for the next 12 months. To keep your status active, here’s what you’ll need to earn during that period:

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

With Virgin Atlantic status, you enjoy a range of perks, including priority seating, lounge access, priority baggage handling on Delta flights, and additional benefits with SkyTeam partners such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and China Eastern Airlines.

However, as Virgin Atlantic is now part of SkyTeam, you can no longer use your Delta status to match for Virgin Atlantic status.

In conclusion

Airlines use status matches and challenges to attract high-status travelers from their competitors, but as customers, we can take advantage of these offers too. These programs allow us to quickly unlock benefits, save on costs, and avoid extra fees, especially when relocating to a new area where your preferred airline may not have a strong presence.

Status matches and challenges can be particularly useful for certain trips, especially international ones. They're also a great option if you're ready to switch airlines due to unfavorable changes in your current loyalty program.

Before applying for a status match or challenge, it's essential to carefully review the terms and conditions. Make sure you meet all the requirements and apply at the right time. Don’t forget to explore opportunities with international carriers that could give you alliance elite status, which provides benefits like lounge access and extra baggage on domestic flights.

If your elite status is nearing expiration, make sure to submit your status match request before it expires to avoid losing the chance.