I flew 7,000 miles on Alaska Airlines last year, but I currently hold the airlines top-tier of status “Gold 75k” an accolade reserved for passengers that have flown 75,000 miles or more on the airline over the course of the previous year. It’s a designation that’s scored me First Class upgrades on at least a half dozen flights this year, as well as free checked bags and priority boarding — and I got there through status matching.
Status matching is when an airline gives you the same tier of status you have (or perhaps a tier lower) on another for free. Each airline offers a different version of the program. Some will match your status for free just by learning you have it, while others will offer a “status challenge” where you have to fly their airline a certain amount during a specific period time in order to earn the honor.
Last year I flew enough to earn status on United, American and Delta, earning their first, second, and third tiers of status respectively. I didn’t have status on Alaska, but they recently launched a direct flight from San Francisco to my home town, so I opted to apply for a match
Alaska makes it super simple to get your status matched. You fill out an online form requesting the match, upload proof of your other status, and then wait a few weeks. Unlike some other airlines there aren’t huge hoops to jump through. You just apply.
Once you’re approved, you’ll get all the perks of someone who earned a tier of status on Alaska by actually flying on the airline. While airlines don’t tend to advertise that you can get a status match, it’s an option that many popular airlines offer.
Here’s how to do it on some of the majors in the US:
Alaska: Go to this page and fill out the form.
American: American requires you to complete a “status challenge” in order to earn Gold or Platinum status on the airline. You’ll also have to spend a little cash (typically around $200) to have the opportunity to do the challenge (which requires 7,000 miles for Gold and 12,500 for Platinum). To set up a challenge on your own you’ll need to call AA and talk to an agent at 888-697-5636.
Delta: Delta also offers status matches through a challenge program. You can sign up here on the airline’s website, and then will have to earn 12,500 miles within 90 days for Gold status and 18,750 in 90 days for Platinum.
Southwest: Southwest will give you complementary A-List status for 90 days when you send in info about your status on another airline. In order to keep it, you’ll need to complete three qualifying round-trip flights within 90 days.
United: United offers status matching for its Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of airline status. When you apply, you’ll be given the status level complementary for 90 days. During those 90 days, you’ll have to meet a status challenge in order to keep the status going forward.
Important to note: most airlines will only match your status once in your lifetime, or once every few years. When you ask for that status match, make sure it’s a year that counts.
That said, if you’re like me and a direct flight to somewhere you travel to often just started on an airline you don’t fly often, it might be worth it to ask for that match. In the case of Alaska, I’ve been enjoying its status for free so far this year, but I’ve also already earned that status (although a lower tier for now) for next year.