Tag Archives for status match.
American Airlines hasn’t had an ongoing status match or challenge program since launching Loyalty Points as the new way to earn status, where most AAdvantage activity counts and no longer just flights.
However they’ve brought back status challenges, called Instant Status Pass, and these will now be based on how many Loyalty Points you earn (whether from credit card spend, online shopping etc.) and not just how many trips you take.
I find travel on Spirit to be a value but I am not likely to fly them in the next 3 months, and certainly not enough to requalify after the 3 month status match, so won’t pursue this myself – but several of you will find this helpful.
American Airlines AAdvantage elites – even mere Gold members – can register for Hyatt Explorist status for 90 days. Then there’s a path to keep status through February 2024.
LATAM ran a status match for residents of Colombia only back in the spring. Now they’re after U.S. residents with this new offer.
As travel returns, airlines have been looking to juice their elite ranks. One way they do that is by poaching customers from competitors. It’s hard to attract a customer used to elite treatment and asking them to start with your business at the bottom. So giving them an easy path to switch makes sense.
Now another airline has entered the fray. LATAM will match the status of customers with any other frequent flyer program of an airline operating in the region.
Star Alliance member ANA Mileage Club has a rare status match offer to make competitor program members elites through March 31, 2023.
This will be useful for many members because mid-tier status with ANA is Star Alliance Gold status, and that comes with lounge access when flying Star Alliance airlines – even when flying United Airlines domestically. Put another way, it’s akin to a free United Club membership.
The match entitles you to lounge access with oneworld airlines including American and Alaska – even when flying coach on a oneworld airline domestically. And at American this includes Flagship business class lounges at New York JFK, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and soon-to-reopen Chicago O’Hare.
There’s just been one hitch. Many American readers have had huge problems trying to sign up for the Royal Air Maroc frequent flyer program.
The best benefit here is lounge access. oneworld sapphire members of frequent flyer programs other than American AAdvantage and Alaska’s Mileage Plan get access not just to American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Alaska Lounges but also to American Airlines Flagship lounges even when traveling domestically. That means nice bar setups and buffets at New York JFK, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and in a few weeks once again at Chicago O’Hare.
Last fall the ‘new Alitalia’ ITA Airways offered to give elite status to anyone with a pulse. Many may have skipped that at the time, since the new airline wasn’t yet a part of the SkyTeam (or any) alliance so it was still somewhat speculative what the benefit to do so would be.
Now they’re once again status matching through April 15. Status will be valid through April 15, 2023. There are 3 steps.
American Express is sending out targeted offers – at least to Platinum cardholders, although possibly to customers with other cards – encouraging them to status match to Delta SkyMiles.
Status will last through August 31 and they will give you a level higher than what you currently have with a competitor.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
