ajf87

AA used to offer challenges, typically low/mid-tier status. You would have the option of "buying up" during your challenge period (typically 90 days) in order to have status for the duration of the challenge or until you satisfy the challenge requirements. In terms of matching, that's not something that they have any published criteria for. If they do offer status matches it's going to be to high-tier elites from other legacy or full-service carriers (UA 1K, DL Diamond, etc.). Airlines are not rental car companies or even hotels - their status is actually quite valuable. With car companies it doesn't really cost them anything to let elites pick a full-size versus an economy car, and for hotels some extra water and a room with a better view effectively costs nothing if they're available at check-in. A first/business upgrade on the other hand can represent potentially thousands of dollars in value and opportunity cost for the airlines. When there is language for status challenges it's also usually a one-time deal.

carlosdca

how do you know this?
I would assume that this only applies to mid-tiers and up (like UA 1K).
Because lowly UA Plats, etc. are not that valuable otherwise they would be 1K

What is the metric for AA to consider a match? How many UAs PQFs? PQPs? Any data points?