While Alaska Airlines regularly offers a status match challenge, the airline has just launched an incredibly generous status match targeted specifically at Delta flyers. This is being offered in light of the recently announced Delta SkyMiles changes.
In this post:
Details of Alaska’s status match for Delta flyers
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is offering one of the most lucrative status match opportunities we’ve ever seen. This potentially even allows you to be matched to a higher tier than you currently have. Here’s how Brett Catlin, Alaska’s VP of Loyalty, Alliances, and Sales, describes this promotion (and I just love this quote):
“We’ve always believed that loyalty is about more than just revenue and that earning elite status shouldn’t require a second mortgage. We’ve designed Mileage Plan to reward loyalty in its many forms which is why we offer guests the fastest track to elite status with no spend requirements.”
With this promotion, Delta SkyMiles elite members can request a status match by October 31, 2023. The status that you receive depends on your SkyMiles elite tier, whether you’ve already requalified for status through 2024, and whether you have an open Alaska Airlines Visa account as of December 31, 2023. Note that either the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card (review) or Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card (review) would qualify for these purposes.
How exactly does status map over with this offer?
- If your SkyMiles status is valid through the end of 2023 and you don’t have an Alaska Visa Card, you can receive a 90-day status challenge, up to MVP Gold 75K
- If your SkyMiles status is valid through the end of 2023 and you do have an Alaska Visa Card, you can receive a status match valid through the end of 2024, up to MVP Gold 75K
- If your SkyMiles status is valid through the end of 2024 and you don’t have an Alaska Visa Card, you can receive a 90-day status challenge, up to MVP Gold 75K
- If your SkyMiles status is valid through the end of 2024 and you do have an Alaska Visa Card, you can receive a status match valid through the end of 2024 to one tier higher than you currently have, including MVP Gold 100K
This is pretty unprecedented on Alaska’s part. If you’re a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion member through the end of 2024 and have an Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you’ll be matched to top-tier MVP Gold 100K status.
For those situations that require a status challenge, here’s how many miles you have to fly on flights marketed and operated by Alaska to maintain the status through the end of 2024:
- MVP status requires 5,000 flown miles on Alaska
- MVP Gold status requires 10,000 flown miles on Alaska
- MVP Gold 75K status requires 20,000 flown miles on Alaska
If you take advantage of this promotion, expect that your status will be updated within two to three weeks. Note that if you earn MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K status through this promotion, you won’t be eligible for the 50,000 bonus miles, American Airlines systemwide upgrades, or Alaska Choice Benefits, that normally come with those elite tiers. You would only earn those when actually qualifying for the status based on your activity.
Is this Alaska Airlines status match worth it?
This is the kind of healthy competition that I love to see between airlines. While this promotion is valid for members across the United States and Canada, keep in mind that Alaska and Delta compete fiercely in Seattle, so I imagine that for Alaska, this is largely about west coast market share.
I’d say that this is an extremely compelling promotion for Delta frequent flyers:
- Alaska Airlines has one of the most lucrative frequent flyer programs, and continues to award miles based on distance flown rather than dollars spent
- Alaska Airlines offers reciprocal upgrades on American, so this could be useful even if you fly American frequently
- This promotion can earn you oneworld Emerald or oneworld Sapphire status; this is so much more valuable than the SkyTeam Elite Plus status you potentially earn with Delta
Alaska knows how to treat loyal flyers, so I hope some Delta loyalists can take advantage of this promotion.
I should acknowledge that I imagine that some Alaska frequent flyers won’t be too happy about this offer, especially with status matches straight to top-tier status, with no flying requirement. Still, given the situation, I think this is a smart offer on Alaska’s part.
Bottom line
Alaska is looking to poach some frustrated Delta flyers, with a very generous status match offer. You can potentially be matched one tier above your current Delta status all the way through the end of 2024, though it depends on when your Delta status expires, and if you have an Alaska credit card.
This is a great opportunity to pick up valuable status with Alaska, which also gets you lots of perks with American and other oneworld airlines.
What do you make of this status match offer? If you’re a Delta elite, do you plan on taking advantage of this?
That table doesn't make sense.
Its the exact same status match whether ur delta status expires in 2023 or 2024, but according to the verbiage you should be bumped up one level if ur status expires in 2024.
This should serve as a warning to everyone not to join Alaska Airlines' elite program. They will significantly increase their elite members, which will be detrimental to everyone's interests. I am aware of someone who successfully faked a Delta elite card using Photoshop and Generative AI, passing the Alaska status match test with ease.Given how simple it is to utilize Photoshop and pass a Alaska status match, it is clear how this status match will...
This should serve as a warning to everyone not to join Alaska Airlines' elite program. They will significantly increase their elite members, which will be detrimental to everyone's interests. I am aware of someone who successfully faked a Delta elite card using Photoshop and Generative AI, passing the Alaska status match test with ease.Given how simple it is to utilize Photoshop and pass a Alaska status match, it is clear how this status match will result in an influx of new elite members that will be detrimental to the advantage of the current elite. Simply said, the Alaska status match team do not detect fraud in status match.
This will swell the elite ranks across OW including AA where upgrades are pretty sparse if you're anything other than equivalent of OW Emerald as it is. I used to be Sapphire via BA and now it seems a lot of people could be Sapphire (and it's AA equivalent) or better via this match and holding a CC. There might be a lot of non US OW members who earned status the hard way who will not be too thrilled about this either
Will someone who got Platinum/Diamond thanks to an MQD spend waiver be ineligible for that tier match? Or is that language just in terms of spending towards status in terms of MQMs?
Looks like this offer does not supersede AS's "once in a lifetime" status match rule, per the T&Cs, so if you've done a match with AS before, you cannot take advantage of this one :(.
I am curious if anyone knows the answer to this question...
When flying American as an Alaska Elite who books the flight through American and has an AAdvantage number (perhaps even low-tier Gold status) - when you add the Alaska MVP number - do you then earn Alaska Miles OR could you earn Loyalty Points? I am curious because this seems like a great status match opportunity as someone who is considering moving to American...
I am curious if anyone knows the answer to this question...
When flying American as an Alaska Elite who books the flight through American and has an AAdvantage number (perhaps even low-tier Gold status) - when you add the Alaska MVP number - do you then earn Alaska Miles OR could you earn Loyalty Points? I am curious because this seems like a great status match opportunity as someone who is considering moving to American now, but earning Loyalty Points instead of Alaska Miles would be a preferred path for getting to Platinum Pro or EP since my market has only a small handful of Alaska flights.
You earn Alaska miles and EQM when you add an Alaska Mileage Plan number to an American flight. Your best bet is to stay with the Alaska status, which does get you upgrades on American (albeit, as you say, next in line after after AA's own Platinum Pro members).
Thank you for sharing this!
Given how difficult OW Emerald is to earn, this offer is kind of shocking, and I imagine it will anger elites with Alaska, American, and OW in general.
That being said, I am a DC-based DL platinum medallion, with frequent trips to SEA and SFO, as well as frequent regional business travel with AA, so I am thrilled... Got approved for the Alaska card this morning and just submitted my application for status match.
Those first-class seats look absolutely disgusting. If I had to sit in one of those, I would wear old clothes that I could throw away afterwards.
As a long term AS loyal and elite flyer this is understandable to poach Delta clients, but just another example of how AS is no longer a boutique high quality carrier who appreciates its loyal own. Just work for Amazon or a big company or be a Delta elite and you can get the same or higher status for flying a few flights. AS does not care about self employed or small business. The company...
As a long term AS loyal and elite flyer this is understandable to poach Delta clients, but just another example of how AS is no longer a boutique high quality carrier who appreciates its loyal own. Just work for Amazon or a big company or be a Delta elite and you can get the same or higher status for flying a few flights. AS does not care about self employed or small business. The company is like every other public company, forget the little guy and line the pockets of shareholders and executives. Well the nice ride with AS has been plummeting for a while now, but the decline is at a new high rate of speed. Very sad.
As a long-term Alaska loyalist I find this disgusting. Giving away status at Alaska is out of hand! I earn status by paying and flying, and the upgrades continue to be harder and harder to find. Such a shame.
I am an Alaska Airlines Gold 100K member. It is very difficult to earn 100K status as you have to travel 100K actual miles and the longest Alaska flights are 2500 miles.
So, I think that priority for upgrades should be tiered for actually earned 100K status vs status mach 100K status at least for 2024. I will put money on the table that Delta members who get 100K status match won't be able...
I am an Alaska Airlines Gold 100K member. It is very difficult to earn 100K status as you have to travel 100K actual miles and the longest Alaska flights are 2500 miles.
So, I think that priority for upgrades should be tiered for actually earned 100K status vs status mach 100K status at least for 2024. I will put money on the table that Delta members who get 100K status match won't be able to qualify as there isn't the "stupid" way to earn status via credit card spend.
Also, Alaska's First Class airfares are so ridiculous for the hard product (yes, the 737Max first class seats are so uncomfortable that it hurts my butt and I take a personal blanket to add cushion to the seat). So, Delta customers who buy premium seats will be disappointed.
I love Alaska and have been stuck at 3/4 of the way to million miler for ages. Would love to go back to AS, but I'm east coast based now which means that it would likely be my AA travel credited to AS and I'd still be on DL just as much as I am now when they're the airline for my route.
I'd take the match in a heartbeat if they gave MM...
I love Alaska and have been stuck at 3/4 of the way to million miler for ages. Would love to go back to AS, but I'm east coast based now which means that it would likely be my AA travel credited to AS and I'd still be on DL just as much as I am now when they're the airline for my route.
I'd take the match in a heartbeat if they gave MM qualification for flights on non-AS metal. I just can't see it otherwise - even as someone who usually isn't fighting for upgrades. AS MM is still worth something and I'd love to have it.
Ben, I have not seen that interior for a long time. Maybe I am just lucky to fly the newer interiors. Maybe those are Alaskan route planes.
I’m ready to switch back to AS. I was with them for several years, then switched to Delta a couple years ago since I’m traveling internationally more now. Loyalty is just not worth it anymore. I’ll go back to Alaska/American with this deal.
Same here.
Unfortunately, they are still holding their "once in a lifetime" status match line, so looks like I'll have to get to status the hard way...
sdg
As someone who works very hard and diligently to earn OW Emerald Status with AA, I'm "annoyed" that potentially thousands of passengers not loyal to OW airlines will immediately gain the same benefits I EARN off the jump with nothing more than a CC application.
BUT: Also as an AA Loyalist, I'm happy to see a OW Partner Airline sticking it to DL where it hurts: SEA/LAX/SFO/PDX and all up and down the West coast!
#Deltaggeddon #GoAlaskaGo #OneWorldBaby
Dors anyone know if an “authorized user” Alaska credit card counts for holding a card to upgrade one status level?
Any chance Alaska will allow members to status match a second time or still just once a lifetime
I love this! I fly from Seattle, and Delta has been trying to horn in on Alaska’s dominance here for a few years. Serious counterattack from Alaska! And get an Alaska CC, too, all you frustrated Delta flyers.
As a SEA based Diamond medallion who will definitely be exiting the Delta elite hamster wheel next year, these are tempting, but still a pass. It would great to match to 100k, but I think I will instead stick with Delta for another 12 months, while I still have benefits and Sky Club access. Then in mid to late 2024, I will do a status challenge to AS 75k, which I will have through the...
As a SEA based Diamond medallion who will definitely be exiting the Delta elite hamster wheel next year, these are tempting, but still a pass. It would great to match to 100k, but I think I will instead stick with Delta for another 12 months, while I still have benefits and Sky Club access. Then in mid to late 2024, I will do a status challenge to AS 75k, which I will have through the end of 2025. In the meantime I will use Delta when it makes sense, focusing on using up my Sky Miles, gift cards and e-credits, and maximizing my benefits before I depart. Delta may have lost my loyalty, but I'm not just going to leave a bunch of valuable perks on the table.
Are you allowed to do this even if you've status matched Alaska in the past through their normal offering?
NO
if i was based on the west coast no brainer but I think out of central Florida there is only 5 cities to fly to not sure if its worth signing up for the card for that, but that's a heck of match.
Where is this promotion mentioned on Alaska's own website, I don't see any details about it outside this blog? Even this blogs links go to the standard match challenge not this special match
Alaska management making a huge mistake alienating their 100K Tier. Basically Delta-lite move. 100K's were promised several times NO STATUS MATCHES TO 100K.
Where are Alaska 100K's going to go? Delta? I can't stop laughing!!
Did they really promise not to match 100K's? Source?
I’m a former Alaska Platinum based in PDX who jumped over to DL due to work destinations in 2018. I’ve gotta say, this is a pretty compelling offer. I have the card already…
Trying to decide between getting this offer and the Alaska card or doing the Hyatt match to executive platinum on AA. While this is easier, it requires a lot of flying on Alaska which I don’t think I want to do. So leaning towards AA because I can hit the challenge for the first 4 months at a minimum.
While it's generous for AS to offer a match, I don't think they should match Platinum to 100k.
That shows how AS would also disregard it's own top tier 100k members just like Delta.
Consider how many Platinum members, even Diamonds alone would have flooded the 100k pool.
100%. "Alaska knows how to treat loyal flyers" except for, yunno, this.
It's a great time for airlines to poach Delta's customers. This is indeed a very compelling offer. Good job Alaska!
Thanks for the info Lucky! I am a Delta platinum medallion. I opened a BofA Alaska credit card and applied for the status match.
"While this promotion is valid for members around the globe"
No it's not as Alaska doesn't status match anyone residing outside the US/Canada.
Unless things have been loosened just for this promotion? Otherwise I just inquired via twitter 3 days ago whether this policy was still in effect and the answer was yes.
@ JJ -- That was my mistake. This is indeed limited to those in the United States and Canada.
Virgin America had a pretty nice trancon niche out of JFK. Unfortunately Alaska destroyed it post merger. Good idea for Alaska when it comes to their competition with Delta out of Seattle, but not that relevant for most Delta customers elsewhere
Virgin America was losing money by the bucket-loads and had one profitable quarter, it's entire existence. A nice product isn't enough in the long run, if you can't cover your costs.
VX had a great product up front. They should bring back the brand.
No thanks
How old is that picture? I haven't seen those seats and decor for ages, geez at least publish a current photo anyone looking at that picture would "click"
As for "Jetiquette" thank you that one "cross over" upgrade less!
@ Ghostrider5408 -- Which picture? All three pictures featured in this post have been taken within the past year. If you're referring to the Alaska 737 cabin, that's the standard 737-900ER interior that Alaska flies.
Good luck double and triple connecting to get anywhere.
Why would Alaska 100k not be overjoyed by this Ben? The more the merrier and less upgrade potential, I say. Who cares if I flew 100k butt-in-seat miles!
Exactly. "Alaska knows how to treat loyal flyers," like shit apparently. My 100k status just got devalued tremendously.
Exactly my thoughts as well. I get why they want to do this as a business (moar customers, moar money), but they shouldn't have matched top-tier.
Devaluations by another name.
For what it's worth, I'm a 100K who is fine with it. The biggest thing I want out of Alaska is a more robust route map, and if they manage to poach some business, they'll need to add capacity to support it.