American Airlines offers free four-month status match to rival airline elites

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American Airlines offers free four-month status match to rival airline elites

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Hannah Streck Senior SEO manager | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Oct 21, 2024

American Airlines is offering a status match for elite members of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. This initiative allows travelers to enjoy American's AAdvantage program benefits for four months without starting from scratch in a new loyalty program.

The Instant Status Pass aligns with the following programs: Delta's SkyMiles, United's MileagePlus, and Southwest's Rapid Rewards. For instance, Delta's Silver Medallion matches to AAdvantage Gold, while Diamond Medallion matches to AAdvantage Executive Platinum. Similarly, United’s Premier Silver equates to AAdvantage Gold, and Premier 1K corresponds to AAdvantage Executive Platinum. Southwest’s A-List matches to AAdvantage Gold.

Interested participants can apply online through American's contact page by selecting "AAdvantage account service" and then "Status Match (other airlines)." Applicants must submit a screenshot of their current status with Delta, United, or Southwest.

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The process unfolds in three stages. Initially approved members receive matched status for four months. If they earn enough Loyalty Points during this period, the status extends another four months. Successive point accumulation can extend the status further or even secure it for a full year.

Zach Griff from The Points Guy highlights that elite members enjoy benefits such as additional checked baggage and complimentary first-class upgrades. However, maintaining or upgrading the matched status requires accumulating specific Loyalty Points every four months: 13,000 for Gold, 25,000 for Platinum, 42,000 for Platinum Pro, and 67,000 for Executive Platinum.

This offer presents an opportunity for elite members of Delta, United, and Southwest to experience American Airlines' equivalent status without cost initially but requires engagement in earning Loyalty Points through various activities like flying or credit card spending.

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