Status Match Ethics
 

I fly AA almost exclusively but have a few upcoming flights on DL, including an international run, and was considering a status match. I have no plans, however, to stick to DL long term or earn any sort of status with them. I was curious to see what the group though about whether requesting a status match for this situation was ethical.

I have done status matches in the past, but it has always been for hotels/airlines where I plan on switching my travel 100% to them, away from the program I matched from. This is what I always figured it was intended for, as it allows me to enjoy the perks immediately while I am in the process of qualifying with the new brand.

On the other hand, if I status match to DL and try them, I might find I actually like it and give them more business (but I doubt it). I could also see status matches being used in this way to try to lure frequent flyers from other carriers.

What do you all think? Have you requested a status match for a program you don't ever plan on qualifying for?

There's nothing at all unethical about it, however remember that most status matches are once-in-a-lifetime, so if you may ever consider DL again, you will have already burned your one chance.

agreed. Nothing unethical about it but I would think about whether or not you're wasting your status match opportunity.

Go for it
 

It's not unethical. By accepting a status match you are not saying that you are going to be loyal to Delta. You are trying them out.

Go for it.

A few flights, including an international one, would be more than enough to convince me to pull the trigger - even if DL is known for holding firm on the "once-per-account" rule.

Figure the real pain is in the 0 to 25,000 mile range - if you're flying most of that, I'd use the status match. Sure, the ideal play would be to match to mid-tier in a year when you're going to then requal at least once at mid-tier. Then you're maximizing your total bonus and total "avoidance" of both no-tier and low-tier travel.

But that "perfect" opportunity may never come, so avoiding the bulk of the no-status travel load would be good enough for me.

I agree. No where in the status match process is there an agreement that you will remain loyal to the airline you are getting matched on. If anything, a status match is the airlines' method of enticing your loyalty. I am sure DL will not feel hurt when you back to AA ;)

UN-ethical ? ou contraire. They are so lucky that they can get one of AA's elite members to even give them a try and some money too. My friend- you are doing them a big favor.

I got DL status match a few weeks ago and only intend to use some of the ST members, but will get double miles. upgrades and club access. I have not flown DL for 20 years and only the status match got me back to even give them a chance. Their FF program is so inferior that I do not have any intention of continuing but these next few trip will give me a free Europe trip on ST - It is sort a One-Night Stand with a girlfriend that you have not been with for 20 years - it may be good - it may be bad - but fun anyway..

WOW, its very hard to get a 100% conensus from FT members. No talk of devaluing the program or stealing an upgrade from someone? :D

Anyways, I don't plan on flying DL anytime soon, so I'm not too worried about wasting the opportunity. If there was a time for me to start flying them, right now would probably be it.

Nah...that's 1990's thinking. :p Now we already *know* the miles are worthless and mid-tiers aren't getting op-ups on the best international segments to begin with. So you're cool on that front... ;)

I agree that there's nothing unethical about it, the only problem is if your status lapses and your travel plans change to where you're back on the other airline and you can't do another status match. That happened to me and I ended up doing 25,000 miles on DL in Y as a Skymiles Nothing :(