While most loyalty programs do not offer a way to extend elite status beyond the current year, there’s a work-around available: By matching your expiring elite status to a competing loyalty program, you can potentially maintain your benefits by selecting different carriers.

Numerous airline loyalty programs provide the opportunity to match elite benefits from other programs.

Therefore, if you qualify, you can gain complimentary elite status with another airline. Continue reading to discover more about current airline status matches and challenges available in 2026.

Related: Love it or leave it: TPG lead writer Katie Genter’s airline and hotel elite status plans for 2026

What is an airline status match?

A status match typically involves getting an equivalent or lower status tier with a new airline based on your existing status with a competing airline’s program.

So, why would airlines offer a status match challenge?

If a traveler has demonstrated significant loyalty to a particular airline and its program, this behavior can be attractive to a rival airline. Travelers may consider switching loyalty because they are unhappy with their existing program or because their circumstances (such as home or job location) have changed.

If you want to try out another program but don’t fancy starting from scratch, a status match or challenge can be a great way to solve this problem. However, there are some caveats to consider:

• Typically, you must provide a photo of your membership card and a mileage statement to verify your status.
• Avoid altering or falsifying your credentials, as this can result in severe consequences, including account suspension.
• Activities from some cobranded credit cards or partner airline tickets may be excluded from challenge activities.
• Status matches and challenges are often limited to once per lifetime, per account, although some carriers have exceptions.

Alaska Airlines status match

Alaska will match elite status from the following programs:

• Aeromexico Rewards
• Air Canada Aeroplan
• Delta SkyMiles
• Frontier Miles
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• United MileagePlus

You will be granted the corresponding status level in the Atmos Rewards program for a period of 90 days. To retain this status beyond 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 to which you are matched:

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

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

To submit a request, visit the airline’s status match page and provide a screenshot of your current mileage statement displaying your name, status and miles earned this year or flown in the prior year to achieve elite status. Complimentary status and status earned through a promotion do not qualify.

If you request a status match by the end of June and fulfill the requirements, your new status will be valid until the end of the calendar year. Therefore, applying for it in July or August of this year would maximize the length.

American Airlines status match

American Airlines offers a status challenge program called Instant Status Pass to elite members of Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. To participate, you can apply on American’s website and be matched to one of the following American Airlines AAdvantage tiers: Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum. Availability depends on which airline or status you’re coming from. (For example, Southwest and JetBlue do not map into AAdvantage Executive Platinum.)

The program consists of three phases, each lasting four months. Upon registration, you will immediately enjoy the benefits of the chosen status tier. To maintain your temporary status for an additional four months, you must earn a prorated number of Loyalty Points, which is approximately a third of the annual requirement:

• AAdvantage Gold: 13,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum: 25,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 42,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 67,000 Loyalty Points

During each phase, you can earn Loyalty Points through qualifying activities with American, its partners and cobranded credit card spending. These activities count toward your status challenge.

Delta Air Lines status match

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

After submitting your information and proof of your current status, you’ll be matched to the corresponding Medallion tier for three months.

You must earn the following Medallion Qualification Dollar amounts within the three-month period to extend your status:

• Silver Medallion: 1,250 MQDs
• Gold Medallion: 2,500 MQDs
• Platinum Medallion: 3,750 MQDs

If you enroll and complete these requirements at any time in 2026, your Delta Air Lines status will be extended through Jan. 31, 2028.

Frontier Airlines status match

Frontier Airlines is not currently offering a status match, but you can register to get notified about updates if it becomes available.

JetBlue status match

You can match to JetBlue TrueBlue Mosaic 1 or 2 from the following programs:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• British Airways Club
• Delta SkyMiles
• Free Spirit
• Frontier Miles
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• United MileagePlus

To apply, submit a screenshot of your frequent flyer program profile that clearly displays your full name and proof of status. If matching to Mosaic 2, you’ll need a screenshot or photo of your most recent boarding pass or flight confirmation email showing your status.

Once approved, you’ll receive complimentary Mosaic status for three months.

To extend your status through the next calendar year, you must earn the following number of Tiles within the three-month promotional status period:

• 10 Tiles to keep Mosaic 1
• 25 Tiles to keep Mosaic 2
• 40 Tiles to earn Mosaic 3

Related: JetBlue Mosaic elite status: What it is and how to earn it

Southwest Airlines status match

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

Spirit Airlines status match

Spirit Airlines is not currently offering a status match opportunity.

United Airlines status match

United Airlines recently updated its MileagePlus Premier Status Match Challenge promotion for 2026. Elite members of these programs have until June 30 to register to receive complimentary United MileagePlus status for 120 days:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards
• American Airlines AAdvantage
• Delta SkyMiles
• Frontier Miles
• Southwest Rapid Rewards
• British Airways Club
• Qantas Frequent Flyer

According to United’s website, this is only a partial list. The Premier Status Match Challenge form provides a comprehensive list, which is more extensive than the one above.

To apply, fill out the above form with the required information, including your MileagePlus account number, your email address and a digital copy of your current membership card for the frequent flyer program you are matching from. Once approved, you’ll have 90 days to take an “activating flight” operated by United or United Express.

Your United status will be upgraded to Premier Silver, Premier Gold or Premier Platinum within five to seven business days after your activating flight. You will hold this status for 120 days, during which time you must complete the following to extend the matched status for the remainder of the 2026 program year:

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

You can earn PQPs on flights operated by United or United Express or from eligible United Chase card purchases.

Since United status match challenges are limited to once every three years per MileagePlus account, think carefully about whether now is the right time to participate.

Virgin Atlantic status match

Virgin Atlantic offers a publicly available status match to members of select competing programs.

Depending on your existing status tier, you’re eligible for an instant match to Second Tier (Silver) or Top Tier (Gold). However, those who match to Gold must have a future paid (cash) flight booked in Upper Class or premium economy to be eligible. Meanwhile, those matching to Silver must have a flight booked in any cabin to be approved for a match.

Once your status is upgraded, you’ll enjoy your status for 12 months. Here’s what you must earn in the 12 months to retain your status:

• Silver: 400 tier points
• Gold: 1,000 tier points

This offer is not available to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club members who also hold any level of membership with one of Virgin’s SkyTeam partners (such as Delta) or those who have taken advantage of a status match within the past five years.

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

Bottom line

Status matches and challenges offer a convenient way to enjoy perks and savings, especially if you are relocating to a hub where your preferred airline doesn’t operate (or has a limited presence). They can also be advantageous for specific trips or if you’re ready to break up with your existing airline because of unwelcome changes to its program.

Before applying for a status match or challenge, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions and to choose the most opportune time to do it.