Need more 'luv'? American Airlines responds to Southwest Airlines changes with a limited-time status match
Southwest Airlines' Rapid Rewards program is experiencing some turbulence — and other airlines have taken notice. Frontier Airlines recently took aim at Southwest with a limited-time "divorce your old airline" deal, which includes both a free checked bag and an economy bundle add-on (plus a sizable helping of shade).
Now, American Airlines is jumping on the bandwagon (albeit more subtly) by launching a temporary upgraded status match offer just for Southwest A-List and A-List Preferred members, View from the Wing reported.
If Southwest's shocking changes have you reconsidering your loyalty, here's how you can turn your Southwest elite status into valuable American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.
How Southwest elite members can get valuable AAdvantage status
For a limited time, Southwest A-List members can match to AAdvantage Platinum, while A-List Preferred members can match to AAdvantage Platinum Pro. That's one status tier above American's standard offer for Southwest flyers (A-List members can usually match to AAdvantage Gold and A-List Preferred will get you AAdvantage Platinum).
To take advantage of this offer, submit your status match application here by June 30. You'll need to include your name, email, AAdvantage number and proof of earned Southwest status.
If approved, you'll get an Instant Status Pass with access to your new AAdvantage status — either AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Platinum Pro — for four months. These are valuable statuses, offering perks like priority boarding, complimentary Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats at booking and free checked bags for you and up to eight traveling companions on American Airlines flights.
During your four months of free status, you'll have a chance to keep your status for another four months by meeting a Loyalty Point goal. Do this three times consecutively, and you'll qualify for status for the rest of the membership year. Check out our guide to American's status match challenge for more details on how this works.
If you're considering switching loyalty, this is a great opportunity to give AAdvantage a try. But be sure to consider your travel plans this year and time your application correctly to give yourself the best chance of maximizing this status match offer.
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges in 2025
Bottom line
American isn't the first carrier to try to poach Southwest flyers during this tumultuous time, and we suspect it won't be the last. If you're no longer feeling the "luv" from your old airline, consider taking advantage of American's boosted status match offer by June 30 and snagging valuable AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Platinum Pro status on the cheap.
Or, if American isn't the best carrier for your needs, keep an eye out — other airlines may launch similar offers in an attempt to win over disgruntled Southwest flyers.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees