Alaska Airlines Introduces Status Match Program for Delta Frequent Flyers

Alaska Airlines is matching the status of disgruntled Delta Air Lines frequent fliers as the airline recently changed its loyalty program.

Alaska Airlines will now match a traveler’s status on Delta—and even raise some frequent fliers to the next status level—through 2024, according to the airline. To take advantage, travelers must request the status matching by Oct. 31.

The offer comes as Delta has made it harder to earn status with the airline in 2024, only counting Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward its loyalty program, rather than its previous policy of counting a combination of MQDs, Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS), and Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs).

“Fell out of love with your airline loyalty program?” Alaska Airlines wrote on its website. “We’ve got you covered with our best status match offer yet.”

To earn status with Alaska, Delta travelers must submit proof of their current status online by the end of October. Travelers can then extend their status through 2024 by either opening an Alaska Airlines Visa credit card by Dec. 31 or by flying with Alaska within 90 days (the required mileage varies by status level).

As a bonus, Alaska will reward travelers who have already earned Delta status for 2024 by raising them to the next status level. Consequently, travelers who already earned Delta Silver Medallion status will automatically receive MVP Gold with Alaska, and Delta Gold Medallion members will automatically receive MVP Gold 75K status with Alaska.

Once travelers apply for the status match program, Alaska said the validation process can take up to four weeks.

Several airlines offer temporary status matching programs, and even low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have started allowing status matching, albeit for a fee.

Alaska’s frequent-flyer program, Mileage Plan, allows travelers to use their miles to book flights (with no blackout dates), and offers travelers with elite status perks like free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and express security lines at select airports.