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Whereas most loyalty applications don’t supply a approach to lengthen elite standing past the present 12 months, a workaround is accessible: By matching your expiring elite standing to a competing loyalty program, you may probably preserve your advantages by choosing totally different carriers.
Quite a few airline loyalty applications present the chance to match elite advantages from different applications. As an example, in case your Delta Air Traces Medallion elite standing will expire subsequent 12 months, you would possibly be capable of match it to a competitor’s program. This sometimes grants you non permanent elite standing with the competing program, which might be prolonged by assembly particular flight or income necessities.
Due to this fact, when you qualify, you may achieve complimentary elite standing with one other airline. Maintain studying to study extra about present airline standing matches and challenges you may snag in 2024.
What’s an airline standing match?
A standing match sometimes entails getting an equal or decrease standing tier with a brand new airline primarily based in your present standing with a competitor’s program. So, why would airways supply a standing match problem?
If a traveler has proven vital loyalty to at least one specific airline and program, this conduct might be engaging to a rival airline. The traveler could contemplate switching loyalty as a result of they’re sad with their present program, or maybe their circumstances have modified, resembling shifting from a metropolis like Houston, the place United Airways is the dominant airline, to Atlanta, the place Delta has a hub.
If you wish to check out one other program however do not fancy ranging from scratch, a standing match or problem might be an effective way to resolve this downside. It is value exploring the most important elite standing match and problem alternatives accessible if you wish to break up with an airline — although there are some caveats to think about.
What to find out about getting an airline standing match
There are some essential methods and ideas to recollect when initiating a standing match or problem.
For a standing match, you need to sometimes present a photograph of your membership card and a mileage assertion to show your standing. It’s essential to keep away from altering or falsifying your credentials, as this may end up in extreme penalties, together with account suspension.
Then again, a standing problem could or could not require you to have present standing. The airline will specify the variety of elite qualifying miles or {dollars} you need to earn inside a particular timeframe to attain a selected elite tier. It’s important to totally perceive the necessities and which actions rely towards the problem, as some cobranded bank cards or associate airline tickets could also be excluded. Do not forget that standing matches and challenges are sometimes restricted to as soon as per lifetime per account, though some carriers have exceptions.
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It’s normally suggested to finish a match or problem after June to get pleasure from standing for the remainder of the 12 months and probably retain it for the next 12 months. Nevertheless, latest airline standing match challenges, just like the one Delta started providing in 2024, will let you preserve standing by way of January 2026.
Moreover, it is value mentioning that airways could not at all times publicize their standing match and problem alternatives. It’s possible you’ll have to name or e mail the airline’s customer support and examine web sites like StatusMatcher. Do not forget that your request’s consequence could fluctuate relying on the agent processing it.
Associated: Is airline elite standing nonetheless value it?
Alaska Airways standing match
Alaska Airways used to supply simple standing matches; nonetheless, the present standing match course of now features a problem element.
Alaska will match elite standing from the next applications:
- Aeromexico Rewards
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- American Airways AAdvantage
- Delta Air Traces SkyMiles
- Frontier Airways Miles
- Hawaiian Airways HawaiianMiles
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Southwest Airways Fast Rewards
- United Airways MileagePlus
Once you request a standing match, you can be granted the corresponding standing stage within the Alaska Mileage Plan program for 90 days. To retain this standing past the preliminary interval, you need to fly a particular variety of miles on flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airways, Horizon Air or SkyWest Airways, relying on the tier you match.
The required flight thresholds are as follows:
- MVP: 5,000 miles
- MVP Gold: 10,000 miles
- MVP Gold 75K: 20,000 miles
Sadly, Alaska’s MVP Gold 100K tier has no standing match alternative.
To submit a request, go to the devoted standing match web page and supply a screenshot of your present mileage assertion displaying your identify, standing and miles earned this 12 months or flown within the prior 12 months to attain elite standing.
If matched to MVP Gold 75K, you will not be eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles related to qualifying for that standing, even when you efficiently attain the 20,000-mile threshold. Nevertheless, when you match to Gold and fly sufficient to maintain that standing, you’ll obtain 4 Gold visitor upgrades. In the meantime, those that full the MVP Gold 75K problem will obtain these upgrades, plus 4 Alaska Lounge daypasses and the power to appoint somebody for MVP standing.
For those who request a standing match by the top of June and fulfill the necessities, your new standing can be legitimate till the top of the calendar 12 months. Then again, when you provoke your standing match on or after July 1 by way of December and fulfill the necessities, your standing can be legitimate till the top of the next 12 months, so making use of for it in July or August of this 12 months would maximize the size.
Associated: Alaska Airways MVP elite standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it
American Airways standing match
American Airways gives a standing problem program known as On the spot Standing Go to Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Diamond Medallion members and United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K elite members. To take part, you may apply on aa.com and be matched to both AAdvantage Platinum Professional or Govt Platinum.
This system consists of three phases, every lasting 4 months. Upon registration, you’ll instantly get pleasure from the advantages of the chosen standing tier. To keep up the non permanent standing for an additional 4 months, that you must earn a prorated variety of Loyalty Factors, which is round one-third of the complete requirement for a 12 months.
The Loyalty Factors required for every tier are as follows:
- AAdvantage Gold: 13,000 Loyalty Factors
- AAdvantage Platinum: 25,000 Loyalty Factors
- AAdvantage Platinum Professional: 42,000 Loyalty Factors
- AAdvantage Govt Platinum: 67,000 Loyalty Factors
Throughout every section, you may earn Loyalty Factors by way of qualifying actions with American, its companions and cobranded bank card spending. All these actions rely towards your standing problem.
The standing you obtain within the first section determines your place to begin within the subsequent section. Because of this whatever the preliminary tier you registered for, you’ll start the second section with the advantages you unlocked within the earlier section.
Associated: Fast Factors: How Hyatt and American loyalists can earn extra rewards by linking accounts
British Airways standing match
British Airways is presently providing a limited-time standing match alternative for British Airways Govt Membership members primarily based within the U.S.
From now by way of Might 7, new and present U.S.-based British Airways Govt Membership members with elite standing in certainly one of eight airline applications can obtain reciprocal standing with the British Airways Govt Membership standing without cost.
Listed below are the applications and standing ranges eligible for this match:
Airline loyalty program | British Airways Govt Membership Silver standing | British Airways Govt Membership Gold standing |
---|---|---|
Delta SkyMiles | Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion | Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion |
Air Canada Aeroplan | Air Canada Aeroplan 50K | Air Canada Aeroplan 75K and Tremendous Elite |
Lufthansa Miles & Extra | Lufthansa Miles & Extra Senator | Lufthansa Miles & Extra Hon Circle |
United MileagePlus | United MileagePlus Premier Gold | United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K |
Air France-KLM Flying Blue | Air France-KLM Flying Blue Gold | Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum |
Scandinavian Airways EuroBonus | Scandinavian Airways EuroBonus Gold | Scandinavian Airways EuroBonus Diamond and Pandion |
Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership | Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership Silver | Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership Gold |
Be aware that you need to apply on-line for this supply and supply legitimate proof of eligible frequent flyer standing.
Authorized candidates can be upgraded to the matched British Airways Govt Membership tier for six months, with the chance to increase the match for as much as a 12 months by reserving two eligible flights or one return flight, per the supply’s phrases and circumstances.
Eligible flights embody BA-marketed business- or first-class flights with origins in North America, Canada or Mexico and touchdown in Europe, Norway or Switzerland. Eligible flights should be operated by British Airways, American Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia or Finnair.
Delta Air Traces standing match
Delta SkyMiles is presently providing a standing match, as much as Platinum Medallion, to elite members of assorted airways, together with worldwide applications like British Airways Govt Membership, Lufthansa Miles & Extra, Virgin Australia Velocity and main U.S. applications.
After submitting your data and proof of your present standing, you will be matched to the corresponding Medallion tier, complimentary, for 3 months.
With Medallion standing shifting to a Medallion Qualification Greenback-earning system in 2024, to increase the standing past the preliminary three months, you would want to earn the next:
For those who qualify and full the problem’s further necessities, your Medallion standing can be prolonged by way of Jan. 31, 2026.
Associated: Delta Medallion standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it
Frontier Airways standing match
Whereas not but accessible, you may be part of the waitlist for Frontier Airways’ 2024 standing match. The touchdown web page does reveal some particulars of the brand new match program, together with that:
- You possibly can match from 45 totally different airways, lodges and cruise strains.
- A brand new Elite Silver tier will present 12 factors per greenback spent and Zone 2 precedence boarding.
Though additional particulars haven’t but been launched for 2024, Frontier has beforehand charged members for the “administrative prices” of approving a standing match.
Associated: I used to be provided top-tier airline elite standing for $499 — this is why
Hawaiian Airways standing match
Whereas not publicly marketed, HawaiianMiles has beforehand provided standing matches as much as top-tier Platinum standing on a case-by-case foundation through its on-line contact type. It does not harm to ask.
To ask for a standing match with Hawaiian Airways, the corporate sometimes requires two issues:
- Proof of present elite standing
- Documentation of flights accomplished that earned the elite standing, together with flight exercise to no less than certainly one of Hawaiian’s locations
Matches are normally good for one calendar 12 months from the time of improve.
Associated: The best way to improve your seat on Hawaiian Airways
JetBlue standing match
Whereas JetBlue beforehand provided a limited-time standing match for disgruntled Delta Medallion members following the broadly controversial adjustments introduced in 2023, that provide has now ended, and JetBlue presently has no publicly accessible standing match supply.
Southwest Airways standing match
Beforehand, it was tough to find Southwest’s standing match and problem applications as they weren’t broadly marketed. Nevertheless, the airline has now made these applications extra accessible by offering all of the phrases and circumstances on its web site.
You could have standing with one other home airline to qualify for a Southwest A-Listing standing match. Any standing stage appears to be accepted. To provoke the method, e mail southwest.statusmatch@wnco.com along with your full identify, Fast Rewards account quantity and proof of elite standing.
As soon as your request is processed, you’ll obtain promotional A-Listing standing for 90 days. Usually, Southwest grants this standing inside 12 enterprise days of submission.
To increase your A-Listing standing for an extra 12 months, you need to guide and full three qualifying round-trip flights (or six one-ways) inside 90 days. These flights should be paid fares, not award tickets. Current A-Listing members with expiring standing will not be eligible for a standing match.
It is essential to notice that in keeping with the phrases and circumstances, your flights should be booked and accomplished throughout the 90 days. Whereas present bookings could not rely, Southwest permits simple cancellation and rebooking with out penalties. This implies you may convert present bookings into new ones if the fare has not elevated considerably.
To qualify for the Southwest standing match, you need to not have acquired promotional A-Listing standing from any program, together with standing matches and challenges, inside the previous 12 months.
Associated: Southwest A-Listing standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it
Spirit Airways standing match
Much like Frontier’s providing, the Spirit standing match is presently unavailable. You possibly can register on Spirit’s web site to hitch the waitlist or apply as soon as it turns into accessible once more.
Traditionally, this is how this system has labored.
These with elite standing on many North American carriers had been eligible for a 90-day standing match to Spirit’s Silver or Gold tier, relying on their present elite standing.
This is a have a look at elite statuses which were eligible for Spirit’s standing match up to now:
Airline | Silver standing match — $49 utility charge | Gold standing match — $99 utility charge |
---|---|---|
Alaska Airways | MVP | MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K |
American Airways | Gold | Platinum, Platinum Professional and Govt Platinum |
Delta Air Traces | Silver Medallion | Platinum, Gold and Diamond Medallion |
Frontier Airways | 20k | 50k and 100k |
Hawaiian Airways | Gold | Platinum |
JetBlue | N/A | Mosaic |
Southwest Airways | A-Listing | A-Listing Most popular and Companion Go |
United Airways | Premier Silver | Premier Gold, Platinum and 1K |
Up to now, you possibly can lengthen your standing by fulfilling the next necessities within the 90-day window:
- Free Spirit Silver: Earn 500 standing qualifying factors by flying Spirit or spending on a cobranded bank card.
- Free Spirit Gold: Earn 1,250 SQPs by flying Spirit or spending on a cobranded bank card.
Silver and Gold elite members obtain waived charges, resembling free seat choice, precedence boarding and same-day standby. You are even eligible for a free checked and carry-on bag on the Gold stage.
We’ll replace this story when (or if) the Spirit Airways standing match returns.
Associated: Every part you need to know earlier than flying Spirit Airways
United Airways standing match
United has relaunched its MileagePlus Premier Standing Match Problem promotion in 2024; members can register and obtain complimentary standing for 120 days.
This is a have a look at how a number of in style airways’ respective statuses would translate to United MileagePlus standing:
In keeping with United’s web site, that is solely a partial listing. A full listing is accessible on the Premier Standing Match Problem type.
After enrollment, members have 120 days to earn a set variety of Premier qualifying flights and Premier qualifying factors to increase their elite standing. For those who earn Premier standing on or after July 1, 2024, your elite standing is legitimate by way of January 2026. For those who earn standing earlier than July, your Premier standing is simply legitimate by way of January 2025.
Be aware that the flights should be operated by United or United Categorical — associate flights (together with these on Star Alliance carriers) aren’t eligible. Challenges are restricted to as soon as each 5 years per MileagePlus account.
Associated: United Premier standing: What it’s and tips on how to earn it
Virgin Atlantic standing match
Virgin Atlantic gives a publicly accessible standing match to members of choose competing applications.
Relying in your present standing tier, you are eligible for an on the spot match to Second Tier (Silver) or High Tier (Gold). Nevertheless, those that match to Gold will need to have a future paid flight booked in Higher Class or premium financial system to be eligible. In the meantime, these matching to Silver will need to have a flight booked in any cabin to be accepted for a match. As soon as accepted, your standing match can be legitimate for 12 months from the date the account was upgraded.
This is a have a look at what applications and standing tiers are eligible:
Loyalty program | Second Tier (Silver) | High Tier (Gold) |
---|---|---|
American Airways AAdvantage | Platinum Professional | Govt Platinum |
British Airways Govt Membership | Silver | Gold |
Cathay Pacific | Gold | Diamond |
El Al Matmid | Gold | Platinum |
Hong Kong Airways Fortune Wings Membership | Silver | Platinum or Gold |
Iberia Plus | Oro | Platino |
Lufthansa Miles & Extra | Senator | Hon Circle |
Pakistan Worldwide Airways Awards +Plus | Sapphire | Diamond |
Scandinavian Airways EuroBonus | Gold | Diamond |
Singapore Airways KrisFlyer | Silver | Gold |
South African Airways Voyager | Silver | Gold or Platinum |
United Airways MileagePlus | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K |
As soon as your standing is upgraded, you will get pleasure from your standing for 12 months. This is what you must earn within the 12 months to retain your standing:
- Silver: 400 tier factors
- Gold: 1,000 tier factors
These with Virgin Atlantic standing profit from flying with the airline and its companions. On Delta flights, Gold members obtain precedence seating, lounge entry on choose flights, precedence baggage and different advantages. Plus, they obtain advantages on SkyTeam airways, together with Air France, KLM, Korean Air and China Japanese Airways.
Sadly, since Virgin Atlantic is now a member of Sky Crew, you may’t use your Delta standing for this match.
Associated: The last word information to Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership
Backside line
Airways supply standing matches and challenges to draw elite prospects from their rivals. Nevertheless, as prospects, we are able to additionally profit from these alternatives. Standing matches and challenges present a shortcut to having fun with perks, cost-saving measures and waived charges, particularly if you’re shifting to a hub the place your most popular airline does not function (or has a smaller presence).
They can be advantageous for particular journeys, notably worldwide ones. Or, you should utilize them when you’re prepared to interrupt up along with your present airline over unwelcome adjustments to its program.
Earlier than making use of for a standing match or problem, it is essential to totally perceive the phrases and circumstances and guarantee you may meet the necessities and apply at an opportune time. Do not overlook alternatives with overseas carriers that would grant alliance elite standing, providing advantages like lounge entry and elevated baggage capability on home airways.
In case your present elite standing is about to run out, keep in mind to submit your standing match request earlier than it does to keep away from lacking out on the chance.
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