As we approve the end of a benefits year, airlines are beginning to reveal changes to their frequent flyer programs for 2004. They want more revenue at a lower cost. Their static models probably predict that their changes will accomplish this. Some may, some may not.
But I believe it's important for us to remember that while they're doing their job,
we don't have to be sympathetic. After all, we're customers. And we have every right to seek out the product that best fits our needs. If an airline program offers a better deal for our flying and buying patterns, by all means we should take advantage of that offer!
And many airlines make it easier for us to do so -- by matching our current status with elite privileges in their program.
One of the most frequently asked questions on Flyertalk, throughout the various forums, is "Will airline X match my titanium status in the Infinite Airways program?" or something to that effect. And since fellow flyers are beginning to think about their plans for 2004, I thought I'd take a stab at summarizing the "who will match what? and how do I do it?" conventional wisdom.
Of course, this is general advice. It doesn't work in every case. And my knowledge may be superceded by better and more recent information. But this is what I've collected over time. If you would like to correct me, please do so. It will only make for a better information summary. And thread links are welcome!
So here goes ---
Continental
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Platinum (top tier)
They seem concerned about fraud, so require a bunch of information:
- A copy of your current elite status card.
- A copy of your latest elite statement.
- A copy of your current One Pass Membership Card.
- A copy of your current One Pass statement.
Along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status.
Update 1/21/06: Per post # 429 in this thread:
OA Match Request
P.O. Box 4757
Houston, TX 77210-4757
Fax: 832-235-2713.
United
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Premier Executive (mid-tier)
Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:
(Updated fax # 5/19/06)
(Updated fax # 10/20/06)
America West
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Platinum (top tier)
Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:
America West also offers a challenge program, awarding status based on substantial flying over a 90 day period. They may even offer Silver elite status just for the asking. See
this thread on America West status challenges.
Delta
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Gold (mid-tier)
Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:
[Edit] There are recent reports of Delta offering "challenges" in response to status match requests -- that is, fly x segments in y days for status.
American
American will consistently match United status to equivalent level up to mid-tier (Platinum). They are quirkier about matching status from other carriers. Sometimes they'll offer Gold status. Sometimes they'll just ask you to complete a challenge (miles flown in 90 days). Sometimes they'll offer Gold status and a challenge for Platinum.
For the best consolidated discussion of challenges, see
this summary by FewMiles.
Alaska
Will match status, generally to equivalent level -- with midtier on most carriers being equivalent to Alaska's MVP Gold (top tier)
Fax a copy of your current elite statement or membership card to:
Northwest
Northwest will match status, but they're quirky.
Sometimes they'll match to equivalent level up to Gold (midtier). Other times they reject status match requests outright. I'm not an expert as to why.
Send:
Your WorldPerks account number
Copies of your most recent (2) elite mileage statements
They will not accept:
Travel agency reports
Letters of elite status
Membership cards indicating elite status with another airline
Travel itineraries.
Mail information to:
USAirways
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Chairman's Preferred (top tier)
Send a copy of your current elite statement or elite card along with a note explaining you'd like to shift your busy to them if they'll match your current status to:
Mexicana
Will match status, generally to equivalent level up to Gold (top tier)
You can make your request by emailing <
[email protected]> and saying that you'd like to move your business to Mexicana if they'll match your status.
You will be requested to provide proof of your current elite status by forwarding a copy of your current airline elite card or elite statement. A scan attached to an email reply will suffice.
If you don't hear back in a few days, email again. Mexicana is just like that. But Enrique is a nice guy. [Edited to say that per
kempis, Enrique is no longer at MX.
)
Airtran --
Updated 11/27/03
From December 1 to December 31, 2003 Airtran is offering a
formal elite status match program.
Just print their
elite status match form, provide your Airtran account information and your competitor elite status information, include a frequent flyer statement (July 1 2003 or more recent) and fax it all to 1-912-966-6378, attention: Elite Matching Program. You should receive an elite card in 3-4 weeks.
Frontier --
Updated 11/27/03
Send your name, EarlyReturns number, and most recent airline elite statement to
[email protected] or fax to (720) 374-4375 (attn: Quick Ascent).
Accounts with matched status also earn 5000 bonus miles for each flight (up to 15,000 bonus miles) for flights taken by January 31, 2004.
Update 1/21/06: Reply #13 in
this thread reports that the 'QuickAscent' program was discontinued 12/31/05.
British Midland
I have no personal experience with this, but my sense is that British Midland will happily comp British Airways Gold members but little else. See
this discussion.
Airlines that will not generally match status:- Air Canada
- Lufthansa
- British Airways - with some exceptions for very significant revenue (per ScottC)
- Air France (per dctorres)
There are exceptions to every rule, as I'm reminded
by this thread which reports that Lufthansa is easy to get a comp from if you're in Turkey or China.
Bear in mind that status matches are generally one-time only affairs -- so only request the match if you plan to use the status and requalify. Otherwise it's a future opportunity wasted.
[Edit] Per suggestions below, let me also note that getting comped from one airline in an alliance to another airline in an alliance is usually much harder. Airlines often have "no poaching" rules, so that United is usually unwilling to match Lufthansa status, and Continental and Northwest are generally unwilling to match each others' status. There are documented exceptions, of course, and the closeness of the alliance is often a factor here. But showing elite status outside of an alliance often produces better results.
It would be great if folks would help keep this up to date. Then, when posters ask about comping procedures, we could just link a single thread...
Best regards,
Gary
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View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets
[This message has been edited by gleff (edited Nov 27, 2003).]