Summary

  • Delta Medallion members can receive status matches to airlines like Alaska, United, American, and British Airways.
  • Status matches enable transfer of elite benefits to new airlines for a limited period, enhancing travel experiences.
  • Achieving Delta Medallion status requires meeting specific MQD thresholds, with multiple ways to earn MQDs besides flights.

As a frequent flyer, achieving elite status with an airline can unlock a world of benefits, from complimentary upgrades to priority boarding. For Delta Medallion members, the perks of elite status are highly valued.

But what if you could extend those benefits to other airlines? This article will explore some of the carriers that offer status matches to Delta Medallion members, enabling you to enjoy elite benefits even when flying with different airlines.

Achieving Delta Medallion Status

Before we jump into transferring your Delta Air Lines frequent flyer status, let’s take a quick look at the Delta Medallion tier, to which this guide applies.

Delta SkyMiles entrance

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines offers four Medallion status levels in its SkyMiles program: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Each tier provides increasing benefits, such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, waived baggage fees, and bonus miles.

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Which Star Alliance Airlines Offer Status Matches For Frequent Flyers?

Some Star Alliance airlines like United and Turkish Airlines offer generous status matches while most offer little or nothing.

Achieving and maintaining Medallion status requires meeting certain thresholds for Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). Medallion status for the 2025 Medallion Year can be achieved via:

Tier

MQD Threshold

Silver

$5,000

Gold

$10,000

Platinum

$15,000

Diamond

$28,000

According to Delta, starting this year, frequent flyers can earn MQDs via the following ways:

  • Delta and partner flights: Earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on the ticket price.
  • MQD Headstart: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum, Platinum Business, Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Card Members get $2,500 bonus MQDs.
  • MQD Boost: Earn $1 MQD for each $20 of eligible purchases on a Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Platinum Business Card or $1 MQD for each $10 of eligible purchases on a Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Reserve Business Card.
  • Delta Vacations: Earn $1 MQD for every $1 spent on the Total Package Price of a Delta Vacation package.

Why consider a status match?

A status match allows you to transfer your elite status from one airline to another, typically for a limited period. This can be particularly useful if you frequently fly with multiple airlines or if you are considering switching your primary airline but do not want to lose your elite benefits.

Delta A350 sunset 16x9

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Status matches can also enhance your travel experience by providing access to perks and services that make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is known for its generous Mileage Plan frequent flyer program and excellent customer service. According to Travel + Leisure, the airline offers Delta Medallion members the chance to match their status, and even raise some frequent flyers to the next tier.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 taking off.

Photo: Alaska Airlines

Travelers who have already earned Delta Silver Medallion status will receive a status match to Alaska Airlines’ MVP tier, while Delta Gold Medallion members will be granted MVP Gold status. Platinum and Diamond members, on the other hand, will receive MVP Gold 75K status.

Related

How To Use The Alaska Airlines Status Match To Earn Additional Frequent Flyer Benefits

Alaska Airlines offers a challenge to match status from several other programs.

The status match is typically granted for 90 days, during which you can enjoy benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and bonus miles.

United Airlines

Similar to Alaska Airlines, United Airlines offers targeted status match promotions for frequent flyers from competing airlines, including Delta. Through these promotions, Delta Medallion members can match their status to United’s MileagePlus program, which provides access to benefits such as priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, and bonus award miles.

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Photo: MKPhoto12 | Shutterstock

United Airlines’ Premier Status Match offer provides Delta Medallion members the opportunity to hold Silver, Premier Gold or Premier Platinum with United for 120 days. The 2024 Premier Status Match period must begin no later than September 3, 2024.

American Airlines

According to The Points Guy, American Airlines offers its Instant Status Pass to Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Medallion members. The program comprises three phases, lasting four months each.

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport LAX shutterstock_589877828

Photo: Philip Pilosian | Shutterstock

The Loyalty Points required to achieve and maintain each AAdvantage tier are:

AAdvantage Tier

Loyalty Points Threshold

Gold

13,000

Platinum

25,000

Platinum Pro

42,000

Executive Platinum

67,000

British Airways

British Airways, a leading oneworld member, periodically offers status match promotions for Delta Medallion members. Matching your status to British Airways’ Executive Club can provide access to benefits such as lounge access, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowance.

British Airways Boeing 767 Inflight

Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock

As with other status match programs, you will need to meet specific flight requirements during the trial period to retain your new status. In the airline’s most recent status match offer, Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion members were given British Airways Executive Club Silver status for six months.

Transferring your status to Delta

Delta’s status matching program is reciprocal: the airline also allows you to transfer your status from other airlines. There are 16 airlines qualified for the status match program, including:

Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-400ER taking off.

Photo: Nadezda Murmakova | Shutterstock

  • Air Canada
  • Air New Zealand
  • Alaska Airlines
  • All Nippon Airways
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • jetBlue
  • Lufthansa
  • Qantas
  • United Airlines

Related

How To Use The Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Status Match

Participants who are able to complete the extension challenge will keep their matched status through January 2026.

According to Delta, passengers must first submit a request form to participate in the status match challenge. Once the form is approved, you will be enrolled in the challenge and matched to Platinum, Gold, or Silver Medallion Status based on your current elite status with another airline. Upon approval, the complimentary status will last for three months.

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