Did you know you can get airline elite status match after receiving elite status on just one airline? Last year, I mostly flew with American Airlines or their partners, so I managed to acquire Gold status as of the beginning of 2014. I quickly learned about status match and immediately applied with all of the airlines who offered this program.
I now have elite status with Alaska, Delta, and United — in addition to American. The biggest benefits I’ve found with elite status is waived baggage fees, preferred seating, bonus miles and you get added to the upgrade wait list (so far I’ve been upgraded to first class 3 times with United!).
All in all, I think the benefits definitely outweigh the time it took me to apply to each program. The process is fairly easy and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes each.
Alaska Airlines Status Match
Alaska matches the equivalent status that you currently hold with another airline — up to MVP Gold, which normally requires 50,000 miles flown on a combination of Alaska Airlines and their elite-qualifying partner airlines. To get the match, you need to email elite.flyer@alaskaair.com with the following:
A copy of your current elite card (front and back) a mileage statement showing your current
elite status in the other program and your driver’s license or passport. They only offer Tier Match for Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Jet Blue, Southwest, United, Us Airways, and Virgin America.
For questions about their mileage plan or elite status match, call 206-433-3477.
Delta Air Status Match
Delta offers a 90-day status challenge, which means you can match up the the equivalent status that you currently hold with another airline, but you will need to complete the following in the 90-day time frame in order to keep your status with them:
In order to extend your Medallion status after the 90-days, you’ll need to earn a specific number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) within the 90-days of enrolling by flying Delta or Delta Connection. The number of MQMs or MQSs required is based on your matched Medallion level.
This offer is currently running until June 30th, 2014. See their website for further details on how to apply.
United Air Status Match
United offers a 90-day status challenge to American and Delta elites and you can match up to their Platinum status. In order to keep your status through the entire year, you need to complete the following:
For Premier Silver: Fly 7,000 PQM or 8 PQS on flights operated by United, United Express or Copa Airlines to retain Premier Silver status
For Premier Gold: Fly 12,500 PQM or 15 PQS on flights operated by United, United Express or Copa Airlines to retain Premier Gold status
For Premier Platinum: Fly 18,000 PQM or 22 PQS on flights operated by United, United Express or Copa Airlines to retain Premier Platinum status
To apply for this challenge, you need to email premiermatch@united.com with your MileagePlus account number, your name, current mailing address, email address, and a copy of your most recent mileage statement showing your current elite status in the other program. Click here for more information.
American Airlines Status Match
American Air offers a 90-day status challenge, but they charge a fee to sign up — $120 for Gold and $240 for Platinum. I’m not sure how long they will be offering this program considering they are merging with U.S. Airways and will most likely be making some changes. Call 1-800-882-8880 if you want to apply or request more information.
Out of these four airlines, Alaska is the only one who will let you keep your status the entire year, regardless of the miles you fly with them. However, if you fly often and want to have status on multiple airlines, then status match is the easiest way to earn elite status on multiple airlines.
These are the only airlines where I attempted a status match, merely because they are the main airlines I fly with. If you want elite status on an airline other than these mentioned, call customer service and ask if they offer a match or challenge program. It can’t hurt to try!
