Summary
- Status matches offer elite benefits: Lounge access, extra baggage, priority boarding.
- Different carriers & alliances may offer status matches; most require a case-by-case evaluation.
- Consider new carrier benefits, location, and travel frequency before transferring loyalty.
Frequent travelers are all accustomed to earning status, enticing them to travel with the exact airline or alliance repeatedly. However, many airline competitors are looking to lure you into taking flights with them, and this is where airline status match comes into play. These offerings can make a lot of sense for travelers, who can have their usual airline status matched with another airline in an opposing alliance. However, here's what you need to know before you take the plunge.
Elite status with some of the world's largest airlines entitles you to unique benefits such as lounge access, extra baggage, and priority check-in and boarding. With airline status matches, the new carrier guarantees you a certain level of status for a limited amount of time, hoping that you will jump ship and fly enough with them to retain your new status.
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1 Taste of a new airline
Getting your loyalty
Carriers such as Turkish Airlines and Hawaiian have been known to provide status matches on a case-by-case basis; frequently, you are expected to contact the respective airline and plead your case. Many airlines have a status match program; however, they only occasionally discuss it publicly, so if you're interested, it's worth contacting the respective airline.
2 New entitlements
Complementary upgrades, priority baggage
Your decision to change your preferred carrier could be for several reasons; it could be that you have had multiple bad experiences with your usual carrier of choice, and it's time to re-evaluate your options, or you may need to travel somewhere your usual airline doesn't. Still, you want to retain the extra benefits you're used to.
Examples of this include holding Delta Platinium Medallion status and moving to a competitor, such as United, which would result in your achieving Premier Platinium Mileage Plus status and still receiving complimentary upgrades, priority check-in and boarding, waived fees, bonus miles, and access to airport lounges.
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3 Transfering your loyalty
Status transfer explained
Below is a table outlining where your status sits with competing airlines:
Airline | Level | Level | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Delta Air Lines Medallion | Silver | Gold | Platinium |
Southwest Rapid Rewards | A-List | A-List Preferred | N/A |
American Airlines AAdvantage Elite | Gold | Platinium | Platinium Pro |
JetBlue Airways True Blue | Mosaic | N/A | N/A |
Alaska Airlines MVP Elite | MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75K |
British Airways | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
Virgin Atlantic | Silver | Gold | N/A |
United Mileage Plus | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum |
4 Qualification requirements
What do I need to do?
In general, matching your status is simple: you must visit the airline you are interested in or contact their loyalty team to review the eligibility requirements. Status match programs require you to fly with them frequently in the beginning, as your new status will only last a couple of months, and the airline will expect you to be able to retain a level of loyalty. An example is a promotional period, where your status match will last for 90 days to 12 months, so only apply when you expect to travel frequently.
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5 Picking the right airline
Look at the airport hubs
If you're considering which airline to match your status with, look at your proposed travel plans and where you're likely to be based in the coming months. Some individuals look to match their status as they are moving cities. An example of this could be that you're leaving San Francisco (a United hub) for Dallas (the home of American Airlines). Transferring your United Mileage Plus status to American Airlines AAdvantage could be in your best interest.
Alternatively, if you are moving to a smaller center with more limited operators, look at who operates the most frequently or to the highest number of destinations. For example, Albuquerque International Sunport, in New Mexico, while it sees all the 'Big Three' operate at the airport, is served by Southwest Airlines to most destinations.
6 Earning rate
Is it worthwhile
When applying for the status match, it is essential to review your lifestyle and ensure that you will travel enough to make the effort worthwhile. The more flights you book, the more status you will earn, and in return, the better the benefits you will achieve. Looking at airline credit cards is another way to get the most out of your miles and status, which could speed up your earnings. Partner hotels and car rental agencies are another way to earn additional miles without taking flight, so it pays to do your research to determine which mileage program will work best for you.
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