Are you someone who travels often due to work or other reasons? Do you have a membership in the frequent flyer program of a specific airline but want to upgrade your travel experiences further? If so, you must know about the Airline status matches challenges, a popular way for regular travelers to get elite status with different airlines.
The handbook below covers the necessary information about the program, allowing passengers to enjoy various benefits such as early boarding, lounge access, complimentary upgrades, and more. Ensure to read until the end for proper details.
Know The Meaning Behind Airline Status Match
A status match or challenge is an efficient method for travelers to qualify for elite status with an airline where they do not currently possess any status while still keeping their status with their original airline. It is crucial to understand that a status match does not transfer your current elite status to a new airline. You will maintain your existing status with your original carrier and gain additional status with the new airline.
Moreover, airlines provide this special status to frequent flyer passengers to increase their business. Please note that every airline has a different approach to doing things, which we will discuss in the upcoming sections.
Many passengers go ahead with airline status matches for various reasons. Some might feel that their original airline is not providing the same services as before and would want to switch to a different airline. In contrast, others might choose this due to moving to a new city, airline availability in their domestic airport, etc.
Potential Reactions to a Status Match or Challenge Inquiry
When you request a status match with any airline, there are specific answers you might receive for your request, which are listed below.
1- Status Match- Many airlines will give you a status match almost immediately when you make the request, which remains valid for a designated duration without any additional prerequisites.
2- Status Challenge- There are many airlines that will give you a status match on certain conditions. Eligibility criteria consist of the miles or segments traveled and the amount spent on tickets within a designated period.
3- Refusal- It is very well possible to receive a denial for your request for a status match. Potential factors include the ineligibility of your existing airline for the status match, the discontinuation of the status match offer, or the acquisition of your current status through promotional means, such as a credit card or a previous status match.
4- Combination- Here, the airline might grant you its special status, after which you will have to undergo additional challenge activities. These activities generally entail traveling a designated number of miles or achieving revenue targets within a brief period to maintain your status.
Which Airline Provides A Status Match Program?
Let us now take a look at airlines that offer status match challenges or a combination of both.
| Airline | Status Match, Status Challenge, or Combination |
| Air Canada | Currently, the Air Canada status match has been suspended. |
| Cathay Pacific | The status matches and challenges are presently on hold. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Status match is dependent on fulfilling the requirements for qualifying flights. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | While a status match is possible, obtaining approval can prove to be quite difficult. |
| Delta Air Lines | Combination |
| Alaska Airlines | Combination |
| Southwest Airlines | Combination |
| Turkish Airlines | Combination |
| Spirit Airlines | Combination |
| United Airlines | Combination |
Virgin Atlantic
The Virgin Atlantic status match is offered to the passengers of the airline to achieve either Flying Club Silver or Flying Club Gold Elite Status. Once the airline approves your request, you can enjoy the status for one year, and to retain it, members are required to book and fly with Virgin Atlantic.
Any fare class on a qualifying Virgin Atlantic flight is acceptable for those seeking to match to Flying Club Silver. However, the qualifying flight must be booked in Premium or Upper Class for those aiming for Flying Club Gold. It is necessary for Virgin Atlantic to either operate eligible flights directly or to use a VS flight number for those flights that Delta or Air France operates.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines will match your status to any of their elite tiers for 12 months. No further action is needed for the Hawaiian Airlines status match; however, if you have an upcoming reservation with Hawaiian Airlines, mentioning that in your request is beneficial.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines provides instant status but demands the completion of a challenge to maintain it. To successfully complete this challenge, you are expected to fly a specific mileage and spend a defined amount in Medallion Qualifying Dollars with Delta.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines offers an elite status match with another airline based on your existing status. To maintain Alaska status match, passengers must follow a challenge that must complete various requirements within 90 days, depending on the level of status awarded.
- MVP Gold — Travel 10,000 miles
- MVP — Travel 5,000 miles
- MVP Gold 75K — Travel 20,000 miles
| Note- If you decide to initiate the status match or challenge before the end of June, you can retain the membership until the end of that subsequent year. However, if you begin the status match or challenge from July to December, your status will be valid until the end of the following year. |
Southwest Airlines
As per the Southwest Airlines status match, you can enjoy the particular program for 90 days if you have a valid elite status with a U.S. airline. To secure an extension of that status for an extra 12 months, you must complete a challenge consisting of three round-trip flights during the designated 90-day timeframe.
Turkish Airlines
Initially, the Turkish Airlines status match will be valid for four months. Those who wish to extend their status must complete one international flight with Turkish Airlines within the designated time period. Furthermore, ensure to keep good records and remain diligent, as the procedure can be quite demanding.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines provides a free match of your current elite status from another airline, allowing you to enjoy the equivalent Free Spirit status. Furthermore, Spirit Airlines is pleased to match elite status from hotel loyalty programs.
You can retain your Free Spirit Silver or Gold status by fulfilling certain reduced earning criteria.
United Airlines
The United status matching offers a prompt status match that lasts for 90 days. During this period, you are expected to complete a challenge by flying a certain number of miles or segments. After fulfilling this challenge, your status will be renewed.
Know How To Submit A Request For Status Match
The table below covers primary information about requesting status matches on airplanes. Ensure to utilize the details to benefit from special elite status and upgrade your travel experiences.
| Air Carriers | Initiating a request submission |
| Virgin Atlantic | Access the Virgin Atlantic status match page located on their website. You must submit your Flying Club membership number, email address, and relevant details. Moreover, you must upload proof of your elite status with another airline, which can be a screenshot of your membership card that shows your name, status, and expiration date. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Kindly fill out the customer service form to request a status match with Hawaiian Airlines. Be sure to include a copy of your elite membership card, your flight history with your current airline, and any details about your upcoming reservations with Hawaiian Airlines. |
| Delta Air Lines | To request Delta Air Lines’s status match, passengers must first be a Skymiles program member. After this, visit the Delta Air Lines status match page and fill in the necessary details, following which you can submit the request to the airline. |
| Alaska Airlines | Please navigate the airline’s official website and access the Alaska Airlines status match page. You will need to provide your current elite status, email address, mileage plan number, and a screenshot of your status for verification purposes. After completing these steps, you can submit your request. |
| Southwest Airlines | First, enroll in the Southwest Rapid Reward program through the official website. Then, open the status match page and fill the form with your significant details such as email ID, rapid reward number, etc. |
| Turkish Airlines | You can get elite status in the airline by filling out the Turkish Airlines feedback form. Make sure to choose the Miles&Smiles program as the topic of your submission. You are required to include a copy of your current elite membership card and a copy of your latest statement. Additionally, ensure that your Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles membership number is included. |
| Spirit Airlines | Become a member of Spirit Airlines Free Spirit program through its official website. Visit the status match page and complete the form by filling necessary details. Once the form has been completed and the relevant documents uploaded, kindly submit your request. |
| United Airlines | To get the status match in United, you may submit your request by either filling out the status match form or emailing. Be sure to provide your MileagePlus account number, full name, mailing address, and email address. It is also necessary to attach a copy of your current membership card and a copy of your account statement. |
How to get airline status without flying?
Do you want to benefit from the airline status match without flying? Well, here are specific methods that allow you to obtain the elite status of various airlines without boarding a flight.
- Airline Credit Cards- Many airlines allow you to earn elite status by offering co-branded credit cards. Once you reach a designated spending level, you can benefit from the airline status match.
- E-commerce Portals- Numerous airlines feature shopping portals that enable users to earn miles or points when they shop online. The points accrued can play a significant role in advancing your elite status.
- Hospitality Partners- You can obtain the elite status of some airlines by staying in their partner hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should consider obtaining airline elite status advantages if you travel frequently enough to qualify. Being a member of an exclusive group might make travel more comfortable.
Asiana is among the simplest airlines to get elite status with. Unlike most airline loyalty programs, which allow you 12 months to fulfill the qualification requirements, this program gives you 24 months.
Your status is valid for the year you receive it, the year after, and one month into the following year.
Earning Delta Medallion status can be accomplished without flying, but it will need significant Delta credit card spending.
Depending on the details in your MileagePlus profile, you can provide Premier status to your spouse, significant other, or someone who lives at the same home address as you as a Million Miler.
