Originally Posted by
LarrySinNJ
If I book the January flights now, can I wait until just before my flight in late January to request the status match, and if so, will they add the itinerary under the matched benefits?
Or should I request the status match now prior to making these reservations?
You don't need to request the match before booking.
However, getting the match granted is not instantaneous, so I would not wait until the week of your flight to do so. There are some reports of getting a back-dated match period if it is approved late, but it would be much easier to request 2-3 weeks before you travel.