Looking for airline status matches? Our guide to 2026

While most loyalty programs don’t offer a way to extend elite status beyond the current year, there’s a workaround: By matching your expiring elite status to a competing loyalty program, you can maintain your benefits by choosing a different carrier.

Many airline loyalty programs offer the opportunity to match elite benefits with other programs.

So if you qualify, you can get free elite status on another airline. Read on to learn more about current airline status matches and 2026 challenges.

RELATED: Love it or leave it: Plans for airline and hotel elite status in 2026 by TPG staff writer Katie Genter

What is airline status matching?

Status matching typically involves obtaining an equal or lower status rating on a new airline based on your existing status on a competing airline’s program.

So why do airlines offer identity matching challenges?

If a traveler shows great loyalty to a particular airline and its programs, this behavior may become attractive to rival airlines. Travelers may consider switching loyalties because they are dissatisfied with their current program or because their circumstances, such as home or work location, have changed.

If you want to try another plan but don’t like starting from scratch, status matches or challenges can be a good way to solve this problem. However, there are some considerations to consider:

• Typically, you must provide a photo of your membership card and odometer to verify your identity.
• Avoid changing or forging your credentials as this may result in serious consequences, including account suspension.
• Some activities with co-branded credit cards or partner tickets may be excluded from the challenge.
• Status matches and challenges are generally limited to once per account, but some carriers have exceptions.

Alaska Airlines Status Match

Alaska will match elite status for the following programs:

• Aeromexico Awards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Delta SkyMiles
• border mileage
• JetBlue Airways TrueBlue
• Southwest Express Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus

You will receive the corresponding status level in the Atmos Rewards Program for 90 days. To retain this status after the initial period, you must earn a specific number of base points on flights marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines, depending on the tier you are matched to:

• Atmos Rewards Silver Card: 5,000 basis points
• Atmos Rewards Gold Card: 10,000 basis points
• Atmos Rewards Platinum: 20,000 basis points

Unfortunately, the Atmos Rewards Titanium tier does not offer status match opportunities.

To submit a request, visit the airline’s status match page and provide a screenshot of your current mileage chart showing your name, status, and miles earned this year or flown in the previous year toward elite status. Free status and status obtained through promotions are not eligible.

If you request an identity match before the end of June and meet the requirements, your new identity will be valid until the end of the calendar year. Therefore, applying in July and August this year can maximize the time extension.

American Airlines status match

American Airlines offers a status challenge program called Instant ID Pass to elite members of Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines. To participate, you can apply on the American Airlines website and match one of the following American Airlines AAdvantage tiers: Gold, Platinum, Professional Platinum or Executive Platinum. Availability depends on the airline or status you are flying. (For example, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways do not map to AAdvantage Executive Platinum.)

The program is divided into three phases, each lasting four months. Once you sign up, you will immediately enjoy the benefits of your chosen level. To maintain your temporary status for another four months, you must earn a prorated number of loyalty points, which is approximately one-third of the annual requirement:

• AAdvantage Gold Level: 13,000 loyalty points
• AAdvantage Platinum Card: 25,000 loyalty points
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 42,000 loyalty points
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum Card: 67,000 loyalty points

At each stage, you can earn loyalty points through qualifying events with American Airlines and its partners, as well as co-branded credit card purchases. These activities count toward your status challenge.

Delta Air Lines Status Match

Delta SkyMiles is currently offering status matching up to Platinum to elite members in a variety of airline programs, including international programs and most major U.S. programs.

After submitting your information and proof of current status, you’ll earn the appropriate Medallion status within three months.

You must earn the following Medallion Status Bonus amounts within three months to extend your status:

• Silver Medal: 1,250 MQD
• gold medal:2,500 MQD
• platinum medal: 3,750 MQD

If you sign up and complete these requirements at any time in 2026, your Delta membership will be extended through January 31, 2028.

Frontier Airlines Status Match

Frontier Airlines does not currently offer status matching, but you can sign up to be notified of updates if available.

JetBlue Airways Status Match

You can match JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic 1 or 2 with the following procedure:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Awards
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• british aviation club
• Delta SkyMiles
• free spirit
• border mileage
• Southwest Express Rewards
• United Airlines MileagePlus

To apply, please submit a screenshot of your Frequent Flyer Program profile that clearly displays your full name and identification. If matched with Mosaic 2, you will need a screenshot or photo of your recent boarding pass or flight confirmation email showing your status.

Once approved, you will receive three months of free Mosaic status.

To carry over your status to the next calendar year, you must earn the following number of tiles during the three-month promotional status period:

• 10 tiles to preserve mosaic 1
• 25 tiles to preserve mosaic 2
• 40 blocks to get Mosaic 3

RELATED: JetBlue Mosaic Elite Status: What It Is and How to Get It

Southwest Airlines Status Match

The Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status match is no longer open to new applicants as registration is required by December 31, 2025.

Spirit Aviation Status Match

Spirit Airlines does not currently offer status matching opportunities.

United Airlines Status Match

United Airlines recently updated its 2026 MileagePlus Premier status match challenge promotion. Elite members of these programs must sign up by June 30 to receive 120 days of free United MileagePlus status:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Awards
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• Delta SkyMiles
• border mileage
• Southwest Express Rewards
• british aviation club
• Qantas Frequent Flyer

This is only a partial list, according to United’s website. The Premier Status Match Challenge table provides a comprehensive list that is more extensive than the list above.

To apply, please complete the form above and provide the required information, including your MileagePlus account number, email address, and a digital copy of your current membership card from the frequent flyer program to which you are matched. Once approved, you will have 90 days to fly on an “activated flight” operated by United or United Express.

Your United membership will be upgraded to Premier Silver, Premier Gold or Premier Platinum within 5 to 7 business days of flight activation. You will remain in this status for 120 days, during which time you must complete the following actions to extend your matching status for the remainder of the 2026 plan year:

• Distinguished Silver Card: Earn 5 Premier qualifying flights on flights operated by United or United Express and earn 1,700 Premier qualifying points.
• Premier Gold Card: Earn 10 PQF and 3,400 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express.
• Premier Platinum Card: Earn 15 PQF and 5,000 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express.
• Advanced 1K: Earn 20 PQF and 7,500 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express.

You can earn PQP by flying on flights operated by United or United Express or by making purchases with an eligible United Chase Card.

Because the United Status Match Challenge is limited to once every three years per MileagePlus account, please consider carefully whether now is the right time to participate.

Virgin Atlantic Status Match

Virgin Atlantic offers open status matches for members of selected competitive programs.

Depending on your existing status level, you are eligible to be immediately matched to the second level (Silver) or the top level (Gold). However, Gold-eligible travelers must book a future paid (cash) flight in Premium Economy or Premium Economy to be eligible. Meanwhile, those matched with Silver must book flights in any class to be approved for a match.

Once you level up, you will have 12 months of tier status. Here’s how much you must earn in a 12-month period to retain your status:

• silver: 400 level points
• gold: 1,000 level points

This offer does not apply to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members who also hold any level of membership with one of Virgin Atlantic’s SkyTeam partners (such as Delta) or who have enjoyed status matching within the past five years.

Related: Flexibility is key: Why I (mostly) like the changes to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

bottom line

Status Match and Challenge offers a convenient way to take advantage of benefits and savings, especially when you’re relocating to a hub where your preferred airline doesn’t operate (or operates with limited operations). They can also be advantageous for certain trips, or if you’re preparing to break up with your current airline due to unwelcome changes in their plans.

Before applying for a status match or challenge, it is important to understand the terms and conditions and choose the most suitable time.