Originally Posted by
GrizShel
...My question when exactly would likely be the best time to ask for a Status Match?
I understand most other airlines have seen the Carnage over at Delta - NW and are being generous in their status match offers right now. But if I request this now, I'm going to have an extremely difficult time maintaining my status for next year; I just don't have the time to do many paid flights until next year.
In respect to your statement about the carnage at DL/NW, I think all airlines are doing a good bit of matching status for each other members. Certainly some DL elites are leaving, but a lot of US elites have left as well, for example. Call it the great elite shuffle of 2009.
In regards to your statement in blue text, in depends on who you are matching with to some degree. If the airline just gives you the status with no strings attached, you have to fly enough throughout the rest of 2009 to keep that status. If you match with an airline that does challenges, like AA, you would be wise to only start the challenge when you can meet the goals, since the window is shorter.