American Airlines status match: Delta, United and Southwest elites can get 4 months of AAdvantage status

If you hold elite status with Delta Air Lines, United Airlines or Southwest Airlines, American Airlines is offering to match your status for at least four months so you can earn status in a different loyalty program without having to start from scratch.

Called the Instant Status Pass, American's AAdvantage loyalty program will match to the following programs:

This status match is offered at no cost and can be applied for online via American's contact page by selecting "AAdvantage account service" and then "Status Match (other airlines)."

You must submit a screenshot of your SkyMiles, MileagePlus or Rapid Rewards account with your 2024 status progress and current status expiration date (check the submission page for exact requirements for each matched status).

Related: Is American Airlines premium economy worth it between London and New York?

How to extend your American Airlines matched status

Once approved, the American Airlines AAdvantage Instant Status Pass is awarded in three stages:

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• Stage one: Successful SkyMiles, MileagePlus and Rapid Rewards elite members will receive their matched AAdvantage elite status to enjoy for four months.
• Stage two: When the matched member has earned enough Loyalty Points in stage one, their status will be extended for an additional four months.
• Stage three: When the matched member has earned enough Loyalty Points in stage two, their status will be matched for a further four months, and if they then earn an additional number of Loyalty Points, the status will be extended for a full 12 months.

Members with elite status in the American Airlines AAdvantage program can enjoy benefits like additional checked baggage, lounge access and complimentary first-class upgrades.

You must earn Loyalty Points every four months to extend your status for another four months. If you don't earn enough Loyalty Points in your first four months, you'll drop to a lower status tier:

• 13,000 Loyalty Points: AAdvantage Gold
• 25,000 Loyalty Points: AAdvantage Platinum
• 42,000 Loyalty Points: AAdvantage Platinum Pro
• 67,000 Loyalty Points: AAdvantage Executive Platinum

Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points

If a matched member does not earn a sufficient number of Loyalty Points to maintain their status in the next stage but earns the Loyalty Points for a lower status tier, they will be awarded this lower status for the next stage.

Bottom line

This is a unique and potentially lucrative offer by American Airlines to elite members of Delta, United and Southwest. You can match your elite status online for free to try the equivalent AAdvantage status for four months. However, to extend the status, you must earn lots of Loyalty Points through flying, spending on the right credit card or other partner activities.

If you don't hold status with Delta, United or Southwest, keep an eye out for AAdvantage matches to other programs offered occasionally, including a recent offer to World of Hyatt elite members.