For frequent travelers, elite status can make all the difference in your journey – from priority check-in and lounge access to room upgrades and late checkouts. But building status from scratch can take months or even years. That’s where status match comes in as a powerful shortcut.
What is Status Matching?
Status matching is when an airline or hotel program grants you equivalent elite status based on your existing status with a competing program. This allows you to transfer your hard-earned status benefits to a new loyalty program without starting from zero.
Why Airlines and Hotels Offer Status Matches
Travel brands use status matching as a competitive tool to:
- Attract high-value customers from competitors
- Expand their market share in specific regions
- Fill capacity during slower seasons
- Build loyalty with new customer segments
Related – Benefits of Star Alliance Gold
Tips for Successful Status Matching
- Time it strategically
- Request matches before heavy travel periods
- Consider promotional periods when requirements may be lower
- Plan around your existing status expiration
- Read the fine print
- Challenge requirements and deadlines
- Blackout periods and restrictions
- Geographic limitations
- Qualifying activity definitions
- Track your progress
- Monitor qualifying stays/flights
- Keep records of status match requests
- Note expiration dates
- Save confirmation emails
Status Match Etiquette
- Don’t request matches too frequently from the same program
- Complete challenges in good faith when accepted
- Maintain accurate documentation
- Be courteous in communications with loyalty program staff
Current Status Match Opportunities
You can check all the ongoing status match opportunities. If you come across any more status match opportunity, feel free to comment below and we shall cover it in detail.
Conclusion
Status matching provides a valuable opportunity to accelerate your travel benefits and try new loyalty programs. With careful planning and attention to program requirements, you can leverage your existing status to build a stronger travel portfolio across multiple brands.