Airlines Status Match and Challenge Promotions [Dec’24]

Airlines and hotels launch status match promotions from time to time. Some programs also have Status challenge promotions. Here is the current airlines status match and challenge promotions you can use.

Airlines Status Match/Challenge Promotions [Paid]

Here is the list of status matches or challenge promotions that you can use:

Air Astana Nomad Club Status Match

• Airline: Air Astana
• Alliance: NA
• Frequent Flyer Program: Nomad Club
• Status Match to Air Astana:
  • Silver Nomad Club Tier
  • Gold Nomad Club Tier
• Eligible Countries: All countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (Including India).
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for the complete list):
  • 58 Airlines.
  • All major airlines are eligible.
  • Air India is not eligible as per the list. However, Vistara is.
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Airline 1st Elite status will be matched with Silver Tier.
  • All other elite statuses will match the Gold Nomad Club Tier.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status:
  • 25 Hotel Chains.
  • All major hotel chains include Accor, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Wyndham & TAJ.
  • ITC is not eligible.
  • Hotel 1st Elite status will be matched to Silver Tier.
  • All other elite statuses will match the Gold Nomad Club Tier,
• Cost of Status Match:
  • Silver Tier: $49
  • Gold Tier: $199
  • Validity of Elite Status after Status Match: Status Match will be valid until 31st December 2025.
• Elite Status Retention Rule:
  • Complete the minimum number of flights or reach a minimum number of tier miles.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Official Link.

Air France-KLM Flying Blue Status Match

• Airline: Air France-KLM
• Alliance: SkyTeam
• Frequent Flyer Program: Flying Blue
• Status Match to Air France-KLM Flying Blue:
  • Silver Tier
  • Gold Tier
  • Platinum Tier
• Eligible Countries: Select Countries, including India, Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Europe.
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for complete list):
  • 27 Airlines.
  • Most flag carrier airlines are eligible.
  • Elite Status Eligible for Status Match: The highest airline tier can be matched with Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum Tier.
  • Alaska Airlines & JetBlue elites can’t match the Platinum Tier.
  • US, Mexico, Hong Kong & Brazil-based members can only apply maximum for the Gold Tier.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Cost of Status Match: Fees vary by country
  • Silver Tier: $99/€59
  • Gold Tier: $299/€199
  • Platinum Tier:$399/€399
  • Validity of Elite Status after Status Match: Status Match will be valid for 12 months.
• Elite Status Retention Rule:
  • Qualify based on regular rules.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Official Link.

Etihad Status Challenge Promotion

• Airline: Etihad
• Alliance: NA (However, partners with many airlines)
• Frequent Flyer Program: Etihad Guest
• Status Match to Etihad Guest:
  • Silver Tier
  • Gold Tier
• Eligible Countries:
  • India & Australia
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for complete list):
  • 7 Airlines.
  • Air India, British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines & Virgin Australia.
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Airline 1st Elite status will be matched with Silver Tier.
  • All other elite statuses will match the Gold Tier.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Cost of Status Match:
  • Silver Tier: $59 ($49 for Australia)
  • Gold Tier: $99 ($79 for Australia)
• The validity of Elite Status after Status Match:
  • India: 4 months, and it can be extended for an additional 12 months with one return flight.
  • Australia: 6 months and can be extended for an additional with one return flight.
  • The flight should earn one Etihad Guest Mile.
• Elite Status Retention Rule:
  • Qualify based on regular rules.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit Interest.
• Official Link.
• You can also get Etihad Gold if you hold Etihad SBI Premier Credit Card.

Royal Air Maroc Status Challenge

• Airline: Royal Air Maroc
• Alliance: OneWorld
• Frequent Flyer Program: Safar Flyer
• Status Match to Safar Flyer:
  • Silver Tier
  • Gold Tier
  • Platinum Tier
• Eligible Countries: ALL
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for complete list):
  • 16 Airlines. Mostly, American & European Airlines
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Airline 1st Elite status will be matched with Silver Tier.
  • All other elite statuses will match the Gold Tier.
  • Select Airlines Top Tier status can also be matched to Platinum Tier.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status:
  • All Major International Chains are eligible.
  • It can only be matched to the Silver Tier.
• Cost of Status Match:
  • Silver Tier: $150
  • Gold Tier: $450
  • Platinum Lite: $1000
  • Platinum Standard: $1500
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:
  • As per the offer information, the validity of elite status is 30 June 2024; however, they are still accepting applications.
  • Six Months.
  • You should take one flight that earns a mile.
• Elite Status Retention Rule: Qualify based on regular rules.
  • How to status match: Go to this link and submit Interest.
• Official Link.

Royal Jordanian Status Match

• Airline: Royal Jordanian
• Alliance: OneWorld
• Frequent Flyer Program: Royal Club
• Status Match to Royal Club:
  • Silver Jay
  • Gold Sparrow
• Eligible Countries:
  • Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Oman, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, UAE and UK.
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for complete list):
  • 20 Airlines. Europen & Middle East-based Airlines
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Airline 1st Elite status will be matched with Silver Tier.
  • All other elite statuses will match the Gold Tier.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status:
  • All Major International Chains are eligible.
  • It can only be matched to the Silver Tier.
• Cost of Status Match:
  • Silver Tier: $49
  • Gold Tier: $149
  • Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:12 Months.
• Elite Status Retention Rule: Qualify based on regular rules.
  • How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Official Link.

Vietnam Airlines Status Match

• Airline: Vietnam Airlines
• Alliance: SkyTeam
• Frequent Flyer Program: Lotusmiles
• Status Match to Lotusmiles:
  • Titanium (The is the 1st Elite status more like Silver Elite)
  • Gold
  • Platinum
• Eligible Countries: ALL
• Eligible Airlines (Check here for complete list):
  • 47 Airlines.
  • Most Flag Carriers are eligible.
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Can status match upto Platinum Tier.
  • Air India Gold members can also match to Platinum Tier or Gold as they want. Similar options are also available for few other airlines.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: NA
• Cost of Status Match:
  • Titanium (Silver) Tier: $99
  • Gold Tier: $159
  • Platinum: $299
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:
  • 12 Months.
• Elite Status Retention Rule: Qualify based on regular rules.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit Interest.
• Official Link.

Airlines Status Match/Challenge Promotions [Free]

Here are some of the free status match/challenge promotions available:

AirBaltic Club Status Match

• Airline: AirBaltic
• Alliance: NA
• Frequent Flyer Program:
• Status Match to AirBaltic VIP level (the highest level tier).
• Eligible Airlines: Finnair Plus, SAS EuroBonus or Miles & More programme
• Elite Status Eligible for Status Match:
  • Finnair Plus (Gold, Platinum and Platinum Lumo)
  • SAS EuroBonus (Gold, Diamond)
  • Lufthansa Miles & More (Senator and Hon Circle)
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Applicable
• Cost of Status Match: Nil
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match: 1 year from the date of status assignment.
• Elite Status Retention Rule: You must complete the minimum number of flights to retain the status.
• How to status match:
  • Send an email to info@airBalticclub.com requesting a status match.
  • Mention the airBaltic Club membership number
  • Enclosed is a copy of a valid Finnair Plus, SAS EuroBonus or Lufthansa Miles & More loyalty card and account statement.
• Offer Condition: Once per lifetime.
• Official Link.

Alaska Airlines Status Match/Challenge Promotion

• Airline: Alaska Airlines
• Alliance: OneWorld
• Frequent Flyer Program: Mileage Plan
• Status Match to:
  • MVP
  • MVP Gold
  • MVP Gold 75K
• Eligible Airlines:
  • Aeromexico
  • Air Canada
  • American Airlines
  • Delta
  • Frontier
  • Hawaiian
  • JetBlue
  • Southwest
  • United
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
  • Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:90 Days
  • Elite Status Retention Rule (Fly these miles in 90 days from the date of the status match):
  • MVP status—fly 5,000 base miles on Alaska
  • MVP Gold status—fly 10,000 base miles on Alaska
  • MVP Gold 75K status—fly 20,000 base miles on Alaska
  • If you complete the above miles between July and December, you will keep the status until the end of next year or the same year.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Conditions:
  • Once in a lifetime.
  • Complimentary or status earned through a promotion are not eligible.

American Airlines Instant Status Pass Promotion

• Airline: American Airlines
• Alliance: OneWorld
• Frequent Flyer Program: AAdvantage
• Status Match to:
  • Gold
  • Platinum
  • Platinum Pro
  • Executive Platinum
• Eligible Airlines:
  • Delta Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • JetBlue
  • Southwest
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match: 4 Months
• Elite Status Challenge Conditions:
  • Meet Elite Status Criteria every 4 months.
  • Gold: 13,000 Loyalty Points
  • Platinum: 25000 Points
  • Platinum Pro: 42000 Points
  • Executive Platinum: 67000 Points
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Conditions:
  • Available for members not registered for promotion in the last two years.
  • Complimentary or status earned through a promotion are not eligible.

Delta Airlines Status Challenge

• Airline: Delta Airlines
• Alliance: SkyTeam
• Frequent Flyer Program: Medallion
• Status Match to:
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Platinum
• Eligible Airlines (Complete List here):
  • Air Canada
  • Air New Zealand
  • Alaska Airlines
  • All Nippon Airways
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Copa Airlines
  • Japan Airlines
  • Jet Blue
  • Lufthansa
  • Qantas
  • South African Airways
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Virgin Australia
  • You can also submit other airlines’ elite Status for the status match.
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:3 Months
• Elite Status Challenge Conditions:
  • Earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
  • Silver: $1,250 MQDs
  • Gold: $2,500 MQDs
  • Platinum: $3,750 MQDs
  • Keep Status till 31st Jan 2026 if you enrol by 31st December 2024 and meet the status challenge requirement.
  • Usually, you earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on the ticket price for a Delta-marketed flight operated by Delta or by one of the partner airlines.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Conditions:
  • Available for members who have not registered for promotion in the last three years.
  • Complimentary status earned through a promotion is not eligible.
  • Minimum 30 days old account.
  • Non-US members should have flown Delta Airlines at least once in three years on a fare class higher than Basic Economy.
• Refer to complete details here.

United Airlines Status Challenge [Free]

• Airline: United Airlines
• Alliance: Star Alliance
• Frequent Flyer Program: MileagePlus Premier
• Status Match to:
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Platinum
• Eligible Airlines (Complete List here):
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Delta Airlines
  • Jet Blue
  • Qantas
  • Southwest Airlines
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:120 days
• The last date to apply is December 20th 2024.
  • However, even if you register today, your status challenge registration date will be September 3rd, 2024. So, your status match period will end on December 31st, 2024, unless you meet the status challenge criteria.
  • If you meet the status challenge conditions between September 3rd 2024, and December 31st 2024, even though you register today, those flights will be considered for the status challenge.
• Elite Status Challenge Conditions:
  • Meet Criteria:
  • Silver: Fly 4 PQF and earn 1,300 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express
  • Gold: Fly 8 PQF and earn 2,600 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express
  • Platinum: Fly 12 PQF and earn 4,000 PQP on flights operated by United or United Express
  • If you meet the status challenge requirement before 1 July 1st, you will keep your status for the same year and January next year. However, if you meet the status challenge requirement after July 1 1st, you will keep your status for the same year, next year, and January of the following year.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Conditions:
  • Available for members who have not registered for promotion in the last five years.
  • Complimentary or status earned through a promotion are not eligible.
  • Code Share flights are not eligible for this promotion.
• Refer to complete details here.

Virgin Atlantic Status Challenge

• Airline: Virgin Atlantic
• Alliance: SkyTeam
• Frequent Flyer Program: Flying Club
  • Status Match to:
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Eligible Airlines (Complete List here):
  • Air Canada
  • Air India
  • American Airlines
  • British Airways
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Emirates
  • Hawaiian
  • Iberia
  • Lufthansa
  • South African Airways
  • United Airlines
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Not Eligible
• Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:12 months, subject to conditions.
• Elite Status Challenge Conditions:
  • Claim Gold Status:
    • One flight must be booked (future booking) in Premium Economy or Business Class on Virgin Atlantic or with codeshare partners.
    • One of the flights should be on the Virgin Atlantic (VS) flight number.
  • Claim Silver Status:
    • Need one flight (future booking) in the economy or a higher cabin on Virgin Atlantic or with codeshare partners.
    • One of the flights should be on the Virgin Atlantic (VS) flight number.
  • If you make a dummy booking and cancel later, you will lose status and be ineligible for future status matches. For changes, you need to contact the status match team to update them on the change in flights.
• How to status match:
  • Go to this link and submit your Interest.
• Conditions:
  • Available for members who have not registered for promotion in the last five years.
  • You are not eligible to apply if you have elite status with other SkyTeam airlines.
• Refer to complete details here.

Airline status match or challenge based on Hotel Elite Status

If you don’t have any elite status with any airlines, you could still be able to status match purely based on your hotel elite status.

Delta Airlines Status Challenge for Hilton Elite Members [Free] (Targeted)

• Airline: Delta Airlines
• Alliance: SkyTeam
• Frequent Flyer Program: Medallion
• Status Match to:
  • Silver
  • Gold
• Eligible Airlines: Not Applicable
• Eligible Hotel Elite Status: Hilton Honor (Targeted)
  • Validity of Elite Status after Status Match:6 Months
• The last date to apply is 31st December 2024.
• Elite Status Challenge Conditions:
  • Earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).
  • Silver: $2,000 MQDs
  • Gold: $4,000 MQDs
  • Keep Status till 31st December 2025.
  • Usually, you earn $1 MQD per $1 spent on the ticket price for a Delta-marketed flight operated by Delta or by one of the partner airlines.
• How to Status match:
  • Refer to the email received from Hilton and submit Interest.
• Refer to complete details here.

Air Canada 25K Elite Status (Silver) Status Match for Marriott Elites

• If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite, you can receive a Aeroplan 25K Status (Silver).
• The validity of elite status will be 12 months.
• Check details here.

United Airlines Silver Elite Status Match for Marriott Elites

• If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite, you can earn a United Silver Status. This is possible through Marriott Airlines Preferred Partnership.
• The status is valid for the year in which it granted.
• You can register here for complimentary United Silver Status.You can register here for complimentary United Silver Status.

Singapore Airlines Status Challenge for Marriott Elites

• If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite, you can earn United Silver Status through the Marriott Airlines Preferred Partnership.
• The status is valid for the year in which it was granted.
• You can register here for complimentary United Silver Status.

Marriott Elite Status	KrisFlyer Elite Status Match Available	Krisflyer Elite Status Through Accelerator	Accelerator Condition
Sliver Elite	NA	NA	NA
Gold Elite	NA	Silver	Two Flights in Six months
Platinum/Titanium/ Ambassador Elite	Silver	Gold	Four Flights in Six months

• The status is valid for 12 months.
• You can register here for this promotion.

Singapore Airlines Status Match for Shangri-La Elites

• By linking their accounts, Shangri-La Circle Diamond and Jade members can get KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status.
• The Diamond & Jade members are instantly matched to Silver Elite Status.
• Diamond members can become Krisflyer Gold Elite if they travel once within four months of registration.
• Jade members can become Krisflyer Gold Elite if they travel thrice within four months of registration.
• The status will be valid for 12 months.
• Link account here and check conditions here.
• Available once.
• The promotion is only available if the member is not registered in another KrisFlyer status match programme.

Qatar Airways Status Challenge for Accor Elites

• You can link Accor accounts to a few airlines. However, once the account is linked, it cannot be unlinked for 12 months.
• One of the airlines that you can link to is Qatar Airways.
• The table shows the status match available for Qatar Airways members.

Accor Elite Status	Qatar Airways Elite Status
ALL Gold	Privilege Club Silver
ALL Platinum	Privilege Club Gold
ALL Diamond	Privilege Club Platinum

• Unlike other programs, you will become Qatar Airways Elite-only after taking one paid flight. However, your account should be linked.
• There are limited slots available, and they are only valid for one year.
• You can also get Qatar Airways Gold membership if you hold an Avios Visa Infinite Credit Card.

Unofficial Status Match or Challenge Promotions

Few airlines also run unofficial status match or challenge promotions. Since these are unofficial promotions, the chances of rejection are high. However, you can always ask.

Emirates Status Challenge Promotions

• Emirates will match most flag carrier airlines.
  • Conditions:
  • Take 2 Economy or Premium Economy Class (in Flex/Flex Plus), or
  • Take 1 Business Class or First Class return flight on Emirates.
  • Award flights or cash plus miles tickets are not eligible.
  • Once completed, you will receive the status for 12 months.
  • You will only be upgraded to the next tier. For example, if you have a blue tier with Emirates, you can only be upgraded to silver, irrespective of higher elite status with other airlines.
• Request can be submitted via Emirates contact support or chat. They may also be contacted for exact details.
• You can also get Emirates Silver or Gold membership, if you hold an ICICI Bank Credit Card.
• Info Source.

Turkish Airlines Status Challenge Promotion [Free]

• You can status match to Turkish Airlines. The request for a status match needs to be submitted via feedback form.
• Conditions: Status Match for 4 months as Trial.
  • Within these 4 months, take one Turkish Airlines flight to extend it for another 8 months.
  • During 1st year of elite status, earn 15K Turkish Airlines Tier miles to retain the status.
  • 15K Miles is achievable if you fly Star Alliance flights.
• Info Source.

Things to Know

• Usually, you should apply for a status match if you think it will benefit you. For example, you have future bookings where you can benefit from elite status.
• Most of the status match or challenge promotions are conditional. It is better to know them so you get to use the elite longer.
• Some airlines offer status matches once in a lifetime, whereas some have a cooling period.
• Complimentary or trial status matches could also be further matched with other airlines. However, there is no certainty that it will be matched.