Shortcuts to Airline Elite Status With Status Match or Fast Track Opportunities

Offers for the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^®, JetBlue Business Card, JetBlue Card, JetBlue Plus Card, Free Spirit^® Travel Mastercard^®, Free Spirit^® Travel More MasterCard^®, Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card, United Club℠ Business Card, United℠ Explorer Business Card and United MileagePlus^® Select Card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers

Update: As 2024 came to a close, many of these offers have ended as well. This post is in the process of being updated to reflect the most up-to-date information for 2025.

Award travel is pretty amazing. Whether you fly economy class or splurge for premium cabin awards, the fact that you don't have to pay (or pay very little) sometimes feels too good to be true. However, when you have elite status with an airline, that's where the real magic happens.

Elite status can score you better seats, free bags, and even complimentary lounge access. Surprisingly, accessing elite status and all the perks that come with it can be easier than you may think. The fact is, you don't have to spend half your life up in the air to qualify for elite status. Each of the airline programs listed below has a shortcut for scoring elite status.

Perhaps you want to explore switching your airline loyalty to a different alliance. Or maybe you just want to hold elite status in as many programs as possible so you always have benefits no matter which airline you travel with. Either way, here are your options to status match or fast-track to elite status with another airline.

Shortcuts To Gain Elite Status

When it comes to quickly earning status with airlines, there are a few options you should know about. The first is a status match. This is when you have elite status with one airline and — to win over your business (and hopefully your loyalty) — a competing airline will offer to match that status.

Option two is known as a fast track or challenge. These opportunities require you to complete specific activities like flying or earning qualifying metrics via shopping. Generally, these are the same sorts of activities you need to complete to earn status annually — but at a reduced rate and typically in a shorter time period.

Credit: Omar Prestwich/Unsplash

Additionally, some airlines allow you to earn elite status — or at least reduce the requirements to earn that status — when you open and spend a certain amount of money on that airline's co-branded credit cards.

An important note is that these shortcuts to elite status change frequently. Airlines will roll out new programs and close others, sometimes within a few months. But for now, here are the airlines currently offering shortcuts to elite status via status match, fast track, credit cards, or other methods.

All Current Airline Status Match and Fast Track Opportunities

In later sections, we'll dive into each airline's status match, fast track, or challenge opportunities. But in the table below, you can get a bird's eye view of the programs with active offerings:

Airline/Program	Active Status Match?	Active Status Fast Track?	Active Status Challenge?
Air Canada Aeroplan	No	No	Yes
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	Yes	No	Yes
American Airlines AAdvantage®	No	Yes	Yes
British Airways Executive Club	No	No	No
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles	Yes	No	Yes
Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles	No	No	Yes
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles	Yes	No	No
JetBlue TrueBlue	Yes	No	Yes
KLM/Air France Flying Blue	Yes	No	Yes
LATAM Pass	No	No	Yes
Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer	Yes	No	No
Royal Jordanian Royal Club	Yes	No	No
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards	Yes	No	Yes
Spirit Airlines Free Spirit	No	No	Yes
United Airlines MileagePlus	Yes	No	Yes
Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles	Yes	No	No
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club	Yes	No	No

Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada — Canada's flag carrier — is a member of Star Alliance. Its Aeroplan loyalty program is one of the most generous when it comes to booking award flights with partners.

Status match

Air Canada isn't currently offering any status match opportunities. However, you can register to be alerted to future opportunities. Simply visit the status match webpage and keep an eye out for future announcements.

Credit: Air Canada

Fast track

Air Canada has no current fast-track-to-status opportunities available.

Credit cards

While status matches and fast-track opportunities are on hold, all hope is not lost! New Aeroplan^® Credit Card cardmembers receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K Status (Star Alliance Silver) for the remainder of the calendar year plus the following calendar year when opening the card.

You can keep your Aeroplan 25K Status with $15,000 in account spending during a calendar year. As the primary card member, you can earn Aeroplan 35K Status or an Elite Status “Level Up” of one tier with $50,000 in account spending during a calendar year.

Credit: Chase

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Don't let this airline's name fool you. Despite being named after one of the least-populated states in the U.S., Alaska Airlines is based in Seattle, Washington, and has an extensive network of routes. Where Alaska Airlines can't take you, its Oneworld and non-alliance partners can.

Credit: Jeffry Surianto/Unsplash

Status match

Alaska Mileage Plan members can try out elite status for 90 days after matching from an eligible airline. To request a status match, head over to the Alaska Airlines website and fill out the application. Make sure to have your Mileage Plan number, current airline membership number, and a screenshot of the airline account you are matching from.

Here's a look at what your existing status could translate to:

Credit: Alaska Airlines

Alaska has yet to update its chart for Frontier's new elite statuses. Elite 20K, 50K, and 100K are now called Elite Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, respectively.

After you register for an Alaska Airlines status match, you'll have 90 days to meet the criteria required to keep your status. You must take several trips on Alaska-operated flights to extend your status.

• MVP status: Fly 5,000 miles on Alaska Airlines.
• MVP Gold members: Fly 10,000 miles on Alaska Airlines.
• MVP Gold 75K members: Fly 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines.

If you meet these requirements, you'll earn elite status through at least the end of that calendar year. Even better, if you start your status match in July-December, you'll keep that elite status through the end of the following calendar year. That means applying in July will give you a shot at keeping Alaska Elite status for the longest.

Just note that Alaska Airlines only allows one status match for the lifetime of your account.

Fast track

Historically, Alaska Airlines offered special or targeted offers for the Mileage Plan to fast-track elite status requirements. Unfortunately, it's been a few years since we've seen such offers, and nothing is currently active.

Credit cards

There are two Mileage Plan credit cards: the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature^® credit card and the Alaska Airlines Visa^® Business card. As of 2024, cardholders can earn up to 20,000 EQMs from spending alone.

For every $10,000 you spend combined on the Alaska Visa Card and the Alaska Business Card, you'll earn 4,000 Elite Qualifying Miles, up to 20,000 total EQMs. However, even if you have both credit cards, you can't earn more than 20,000 EQMs.

While expensive, this proposition means you can earn Alaska MVP status from credit card spending alone. Or, this cardholder perk means you can level up to that next elite status tier faster.

American Airlines AAdvantage^®

In 2022, American Airlines revamped its elite status program to replace the traditional qualifications with the all-new Loyalty Points program. Now, you can reach elite status not just by flying but also by spending on an eligible AAdvantage credit card and by using SimplyMiles, the AAdvantage eShopping portal, and the AAdvantage Dining Program. Here are the status match and fast-track opportunities currently offered.

Credit: JT Genter/AwardWallet

Status match

American Airlines does not currently promote a status match program.

Fast track

American Airlines offers an Instant Status Pass, which allows targeted members to get AAdvantage elite status for a provisional four-month period. You can extend that status by meeting set Loyalty Point earning thresholds.

Check the Promotions tab of your AAdvantage online account to see if you're targeted. Alternatively, you can call AAdvantage customer service (888-697-5636 or 800-882-8880) to see if you're eligible for an Instant Status Pass.

If you've registered for the World of Hyatt-AA promotion and linked your accounts, you can likely take advantage of an Instant Status Pass offer if you have Hyatt elite status. Do note that enrollment for this promotion ends on October 31, 2024.

Credit cards

Base miles earned from spending on an American Airlines credit card (not including things like a sign-up bonus or bonus miles from certain categories) will earn Loyalty Points. That opens another route to earning American Airlines elite status.

Here are the co-branded cards that can help you earn Loyalty Points and achieve status with American Airlines:

• American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® Card
• Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®
• Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®
• Citi^® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard^®
• AAdvantage^® Aviator^® Red World Elite Mastercard^®

It's also possible to earn Loyalty Points with American Airlines credit cards in other countries.

British Airways Executive Club

Status match

The last British Airways status match offer to Executive Club Silver or Gold status ended on May 7, 2024. Bookmark that page to see future offers if or when they come around.

British Airways business class. Credit: British Airways

Fast track

British Airways has no current fast-track-to-status opportunities available.

Credit cards

British Airways is not currently running any status fast-track opportunities or opportunities related to credit card spending.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Status match

Delta has a straightforward status match offer: Match your status from one of 15 airlines to Delta SkyMiles and enjoy your complimentary matched status for a three-month trial period. Earn the requisite Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) during your trial period and extend your status until January 31, 2026.

Our post on Delta's offer runs through the details of the large roster of eligible airlines, what it takes to keep your status past the trial period, and how to earn the MQDs necessary. However, if you want to skip the details, you can apply for a match here. The last day you can attempt to enroll is December 31, 2024.

Credit: Max Prosperi/AwardWallet

Fast track

Delta has offered fast-track options in the past but isn't offering anything right now. Keep an eye out for new opportunities that could roll out this year.

Credit cards

American Express offers various Delta credit cards that can help you reach elite status. These cards offer the ability to earn a status boost through spending:

• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 1 MQD for each $20 of purchases in a calendar year and get a $2,500 MQD boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 1 MQD for each $10 of purchases in a calendar year and get a $2,500 MQD boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
  

Related: 7 Best Ways To Use Delta SkyMiles

Frontier Airlines Frontier Miles

Status match

Frontier is not currently offering a status match with its airline loyalty program, Frontier Miles. If you want a heads-up the next time one launches, you can sign up here.

Credit: Frontier Airlines

Fast track

Frontier has offered fast-track options in the past but isn't offering anything right now. Keep an eye out for new opportunities that could roll out this year.

The airline also occasionally sells Gold status for a high cost. But it's worth noting that the landing page hasn't worked in recent history, and bought status lasts until the end of the calendar year it was purchased in. So, you'll get the most mileage out of it if you purchase in January (assuming the website works). That said, $499 is an expensive proposition for Frontier Elite status.

Credit cards

The FRONTIER Airlines World Mastercard^® comes with Elite Gold for 3 months. Cardholders can extend their status for 12 months by spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.

Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles

Status match

Hawaiian Airlines does not publicize a status match program, but you can request one. You'll enjoy status for up to 12 months if you request and successfully receive the match. To make your request, head over to the Hawaiian Airlines website and submit a form, along with a screenshot of the airline status you want to match. If you want to increase the odds that your status match is approved, include any info you may have about upcoming Hawaiian Airlines travel.

Hawaiian Airlines business class. Credit: Hawaiian Airlines

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Hawaiian Airlines.

Credit cards

Hawaiian Airlines is not currently running any opportunities related to credit card spending.

JetBlue TrueBlue

Status match

Jetblue recently relaunched its status match program. Elite status members with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United can match to JetBlue Mosaic 1 or 2, depending on the existing elite status.

You'll need to fill out JetBlue's status match application form. If matching to Mosaic 1, provide a screenshot of your frequent flyer program profile showing your full name and proof of status. If matching to Mosaic 2, you'll also need to provide a screenshot or photo of your most recent boarding pass or flight confirmation email showing your status.

The matched status is valid for 3 months. To extend your status through the following calendar year, earn 10 tiles for Mosaic 1, 25 tiles for Mosaic 2, or 40 tiles to bump up to Mosaic 3. This offer doesn't have an end date.

Credit: Marko Pavlichenko/Unsplash

Fast track

JetBlue is not offering any fast-track options for status at present.

Credit cards

Cardholders of all three of Barclays‘ JetBlue co-branded credit cards can spend their way to Mosaic status. There are currently four levels of Mosaic status, and each level is reached by earning another 50 tiles. You earn one tile for every $1,000 spent on a JetBlue credit card, so you will need to spend $50,000 annually to earn Mosaic 1 status.

KLM/Air France Flying Blue

Status match

In mid-2024, Flying Blue opened its status match program to U.S. residents. Unlike residents of other countries, U.S. residents are unable to match up to Flying Blue Platinum. However, Elite status members of 18 airlines can match to Flying Blue Silver or Gold.

To initiate the status match, enter your name, email and Flying Blue membership number through this link. You will need to provide evidence of your legal residence in the U.S. and proof of your existing elite status with a participating match partner. Finally, you need to pay a fee for the match. The fee is $99 for Silver and $299 for Gold.

Elite status is valid for 12 months after you match. This offer does not have an end date but could still end at any time.

A second status match opportunity comes via Bilt Rewards. If you have Bilt Platinum status, you can match to Flying Blue Platinum and enjoy 12 months of status after initiating a 10,000-point transfer to Flying Blue.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Flying Blue.

Credit cards

The Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard^® generally offers XP upon approval and then 20 bonus XP on each anniversary you hold the card. That's not enough XP for Silver Elite status, but it's a boost nevertheless.

LATAM Pass

Status match

The LATAM status match offer recently ended. Check back here on this link to see if and when it comes back.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with LATAM.

Credit cards

No credit card directly offers LATAM Pass Elite status. Instead, you can receive a percentage of your purchases as qualifying points. With the LATAM Airlines Mastercard, 10% of miles earned from eligible purchases are awarded as qualifying points. The LATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard doubles that benefit to 20%.

This benefit is capped at 7,000 bonus qualifying points per calendar year with the LATAM Airlines Mastercard and 9,000 bonus qualifying points with the LATAM Airlines World Elite Mastercard.

Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer

Status match

The Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer status match opportunity was valid through June 30, 2024. You could have extended through December 31, 2024, but only if you matched before the end of June. However, the application page is still open, so it could be worth submitting an application in the hopes that you'll enjoy status through next year.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Royal Air Maroc.

Credit cards

Royal Air Maroc is not currently running any opportunities related to credit card spending.

Royal Jordanian Royal Club

Status match

Residents of select countries, not including the USA, can apply for a status match opportunity to the Royal Jordanian Royal Club. If you can provide evidence of your residence in a valid country, initiate your status match from one of the 20 participating airlines. This status match comes with a fee — $49 for Silver Jay (Oneworld Ruby) or $149 for Gold Sparrow (Oneworld Sapphire). The status is valid for 12 months after matching.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Royal Jordanian.

Credit cards

Royal Jordanian is not currently running any opportunities related to credit card spending.

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards

Status match

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards will match your status from pretty much any U.S. airline to its A-List membership. To apply for a match, head over to Southwest's website and review the online requirements. You'll be instructed to email your first and last name, Rapid Rewards number, and a screenshot of your current elite status with a U.S.-based carrier, other than Southwest Airlines, to southwest.statusmatch@wnco.com.

Credit: Southwest Airlines

Once your match has been approved, you'll have 90 days to meet the requirements to retain your newly acquired status for an additional 12 months. You'll need to meet these requirements within 90 days of your status match start date:

• Fly three round-trip qualifying flights, or
• Six one-way qualifying flights

Note that the flights must be booked after your airline status match is approved, and you must complete travel within 90 days from enrollment. Existing bookings do not count. The status match promotion is only available to members who have not received A-List status in any other promotion in the last 12 months and is available through December 31, 2024.

Fast track

There are no offers available to fast-track your way to A-List status.

Related: Even Easier in 2024: How To Earn and Maximize Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred Elite Status

Credit cards

While you can't fast-track your way to A-List status, you can spend your way there. You'll earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points for every $5,000 you spend on the following cards (available an unlimited number of times annually):

• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card
• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card
• Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card
• Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business Credit Card

Southwest's co-branded credit cards can also help you quickly work toward a Southwest Companion Pass, which requires earning 135,000 Rapid Rewards points each year. Here are the current sign-up bonuses for each of the Southwest credit cards, which count toward Companion Pass progress:

• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card: Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card: Earn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 60,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

Related: A Complete Guide to Southwest Rapid Rewards

Spirit Airlines Free Spirit

Status match

Spirit Airlines offers its own version of elite status with its Free Spirit program. The low-cost carrier has some great money-saving perks for its elite members, including free checked bags, free seat selection, and more.

Spirit Airlines' last status match offer ended on April 23, 2023, but you can register for the waitlist to be notified of future status match opportunities.

Credit: Spirit Airlines

Fast track

Spirit does not offer any other ways to fast-track to its elite status.

Credit cards

Spirit Airlines has two co-branded cards that allow you to earn points and receive benefits:

Only the allows you to earn Status Qualifying Points (SQPs) toward Free Spirit status. You can earn 1 SQP for every $10 spent on the card in a calendar year.

United Airlines MileagePlus

Status match

United MileagePlus members can participate in the Premier Status Match Challenge.

With this challenge, you can get upgraded to Premier Silver, Premier Gold, or Premier Platinum status, depending on your existing status with a competitor's airline. You'll enjoy that status for 120 days.

Credit: Max Prosperi/ AwardWallet

During that time, you'll need to complete the following criteria. Additionally, qualifying trips must be on flights operated by United or United Express:

• Premier Silver: Fly four Premier Qualifying Flights (PQF) and earn 1,300 Premier Qualifying Points (PQP)
• Premier Gold: Fly eight PQF and earn 2,600 PQP
• Premier Platinum: Fly 12 PQF and earn 4,000 PQP

To kick off a status challenge with United, make sure you are a MileagePlus member and visit United's website to fill out the request form. You can request a status match challenge from United once every five years.

Fast track

United does not offer a fast-track option beyond the airline status match challenge mentioned above.

Credit cards

Several United credit cards offer spending boosts toward elite status:

• Up to 1,000 PQPs
  • The New United℠ Explorer Card
• Up to 3,000 PQPs
  • United MileagePlus^® Select Card (not available to new applicants)
• Up to 4,000 PQPs
  • The New United℠ Business Card
• Up to 18,000 PQPs
  • The New United Quest℠ Card
• Up to 28,000 PQPs
  • The New United Club℠ Card

Related: Guide to Earning United Premier Qualifying Points Through Credit Card Spending

Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles

Status match

Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles members can status match from 40 airlines. Initiate your status match with this link. You will need to pay the applicable fee. For U.S. residents, the fee is $99 for Lotusmiles Titanium (SkyTeam Elite), $159 for Lotusmiles Gold (SkyTeam Elite), or $299 for Lotusmiles Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus). The matched status is valid for 12 months.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Vietnam Airlines.

Credit cards

Vietnam Airlines is not currently running any opportunities related to credit card spending.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Status match

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers a status match from 12 airlines. Initiate your status match through this link. Virgin Atlantic has two restrictions to the status match program, and the restrictions vary depending on whether you're matching Silver (SkyTeam Elite) or Gold (SkyTeam Elite Plus).

In order to match Silver, you must have a flight booked in any class with a VS flight number and never matched to Flying Club in the past. To match Gold, you must have a Premium or Upper-Class flight booked and never had a Flying Club status previously.

Your new status will start 72 hours before your scheduled flight and is then valid for 12 months. You will need to meet the regular tier requirements to maintain or elevate your status.

Fast track

No fast-track options are currently available with Virgin Atlantic.

Credit cards

Virgin Atlantic is not currently running any opportunities related to credit card spending.

Bottom Line

Plain and simple, airlines want to win your loyalty. They'll throw out some pretty enticing offers to do so, hence the reason they will match your status from another airline to draw you in. Even if the airline isn't offering a status match opportunity, you can still try your luck with customer service. StatusMatcher.com shows many examples of travelers who successfully matched to each program without a formal offer on the table.

While not every status promotion is a good deal for everyone, these can be a great way to improve your travel experience. Always know your travel goals and do your research beforehand to ensure you can make the most of all your travels!