Delta becomes next airline to target Southwest elites with a limited-time status match
Delta Air Lines is the latest carrier to take advantage of Southwest Airlines' overhaul. For the Southwest Rapid Rewards customers who aren't thrilled with the recent changes, Delta's SkyMiles program has launched a limited-time status match offer just for Southwest elite members, offering A-List and A-List Preferred members a temporary match to Gold Medallion and Platinum Medallion status, respectively. That's a tier higher than you can normally match to with Southwest elite status.
This is similar to the American Airlines AAdvantage status match offer for Southwest elite members that's still available.
If you're looking for more "luv" from your airline, here's how to take advantage of Delta SkyMiles' generous status match offer.
Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges in 2025
Southwest elite members can fast-track their way to Delta status
Southwest is one of the qualifying airlines in Delta's Medallion status match challenge. Typically, A-List status will get you a match to Delta's lowest elite tier, Medallion Silver, while A-List Preferred will match to Gold Medallion.
But for a limited time, Delta is offering Southwest elite members a boost. If you get approved for a status match between now and Sept. 30, you can turn your Southwest A-List status into Gold Medallion status and A-List Preferred into Platinum Medallion.
To apply for Delta's status match, head to this page and submit proof of your existing status. To be eligible for this status match, you must have earned your status (as opposed to getting it through a promotion).
You must also have been enrolled in SkyMiles for at least 30 days prior to enrolling in the status match offer. And you must have flown on at least one Delta-marketed flight on a fare class higher than basic economy within the last three years as a SkyMiles member.
Once approved for Delta's status match, you'll receive complimentary Medallion status for 90 days, starting within 24 hours after you receive your enrollment confirmation email. You can then extend your Delta status by earning the required number of Medallion Qualification Dollars during the 90-day complimentary period:
- Silver: 1,250 MQDs
- Gold: 2,500 MQDs
- Platinum: 3,750 MQDs
Although there are various ways to earn Delta MQDs, not all count toward this status match. MQDs earned on Delta-operated flights and eligible SkyMiles partner flights will apply toward this status match, as well as MQDs earned through Delta cobranded cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Platinum cardholders earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent, and Reserve cardholders earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent.
Additionally, according to a Delta representative, "MQDs earned through the MQD Headstart benefit from an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express Card will count towards MQDs for this status match offer, if the eligible card is acquired and MQDs deposited during this limited time offer period." This is only the case for the offer for Southwest elite members, not for those matching status from any other program.
If you complete the above requirements within your 90-day complimentary status period, you will be awarded the applicable status tier through Jan. 31, 2027. That's over a year of valuable Medallion status for a fraction of the usual MQDs required. For instance, Delta typically requires SkyMiles members to earn 10,000 MQDs and 15,000 MQDs to earn Gold and Platinum Medallion status, respectively.
These statuses come with serious perks, like complimentary seat upgrades, free checked bags and SkyTeam lounge access. Check out our guide for a breakdown of the benefits and perks of Delta Medallion status.
Delta's status match offer is ongoing through the end of the year, but the promotional offer for Southwest elite members ends Sept. 30. Before applying, consider your travel plans for 2025 and time your status match application to give yourself the best chance of earning the required MQDs to extend your status.
Bottom line
Delta SkyMiles' status match offer makes it easy to switch your loyalty from another airline, and Southwest elite members can get a higher status tier when they enroll by Sept. 30.
However, if Delta isn't the best airline for you, you might consider AAdvantage's similar offer that's open through June 30. Or, keep your eyes peeled for more status match offers geared toward Southwest elite members — other airlines may jump on the bandwagon.
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| 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