Airline ‘status matching’ explained: How to shift loyalties without losing your elite standing — it’s easy

Alex Mitchell
·2 min read
A man standing in front of a window with a suitcase.
Contemplating a change in airline loyalty? Make sure your points carry over with your carry on.

Don’t wing it when it comes to flying in style.

If you’re a frequent flyer looking to change airline allegiances — and who could blame you considering the spate of recent heart-stopping incidents in the skies — don’t allow yourself to be held back by your status with a particular carrier.

Nowadays, most major flyers offer seamless methods to match a new customer’s standing with a competitor.

All that’s usually required is a photo of a membership card plus a current program statement, according to the experts at ThePointsGuy.

Airlines don’t typically advertise these chances to match rewards points, and some wait until they see a customer traveling a certain number of miles with them first. Sometimes it takes a little legwork, like calling or emailing a rep.

Don’t let your status hold you back — some airlines make it very easy to change allegiances. applezoomzoom – stock.adobe.com
Don’t let your status hold you back — some airlines make it very easy to change allegiances. applezoomzoom – stock.adobe.com

For a wealth of further information, ThePointsGuy also recommends visiting statusmatcher.com.

Meanwhile, here’s a taste of how the process works for some of the most popular carriers with American travelers.

Alaska Airlines

You have 90 days to request a match with major competitors including Delta, JetBlue, United, American, and Southwest, per ThePointsGuy. To maintain elite status, a determined number of miles must be flown after that three-month period.

American Airlines

Many airlines will honor loyalty points issued by competitors. Song_about_summer – stock.adobe.com
Many airlines will honor loyalty points issued by competitors. Song_about_summer – stock.adobe.com

This major domestic legacy carrier launched a program called Instant Status Pass two years ago, with the purpose of luring loyal customers of chief competitors Delta and United. It can easily be applied to here.

Delta

Delta’s match and challenge status is more global than most, including Lufthansa, British Airways, and Virgin. Currently, those who qualify and meet the requirements of the new program will enjoy continuation of their status through January 2026.

Frontier

The airline is not currently offering its advertised status match program to new customers, but those interested can join a waiting list.

JetBlue

There’s many ways to take advantage of airline perks. Here’s how. Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com
There’s many ways to take advantage of airline perks. Here’s how. Viacheslav Yakobchuk – stock.adobe.com

Although JetBlue — the worst-ranked airline of 2023 — used to have a matching system in place for Delta loyalists, that’s now gone with the wind, according to ThePointsGuy. JetBlue currently has no public match system.

Southwest

Southwest will work with customers who have any status of any level with another domestic airline. Email southwest.statusmatch@wnco.com to initiate the process.

Spirit

The budget carrier’s advertised program is currently closed to new applicants, who can instead join a waitlist.

United Airlines

This year, United relaunched its match system, which will include complimentary status for four months as flyers build up enough points to remain enrolled.