Sick of Delta? Get a Status Match Before it’s Too Late

The dissatisfaction from Delta Air Lines loyalists has been palpable since the airline announced a slew of changes to the SkyMiles program, altering how members qualify for elite status and limiting SkyClub membership.

Though Delta’s CEO has hinted that the airline will likely scale back some of the changes, other airlines are trying to woo SkyMiles members.

Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have both issued status matches for Delta flyers, which SkyMIles elite members can use to transfer their Medallion status to an equivalent (or in some cases better) status with a different airline’s loyalty program.

Status matches usually require members to complete a status challenge (like a spending or flying requirement within a given period), but these two match opportunities offer an exception.

Alaska’s Mileage Plan program and JetBlue’s TrueBlue program will waive any status challenge requirements if the member opens (or already has) an eligible airline credit card.

Here’s what to know about both of these opportunities.

Alaska Mileage Plan status match for Delta members

Alaska Airlines will allow SkyMiles members to match into the Mileage Plan loyalty program by applying here by Oct. 31.

Members with Medallion status expiring at the end of 2023 can match into the Mileage Plan program as follows:

• Medallion Silver = MVP.

• Medallion Gold = MVP Gold.

• Medallion Platinum and Diamond = MVP Gold 75K.

Members with an Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card by the end of this year will be able to keep this status through 2024.

Medallion members with status expiring at the end of 2023 or 2024 but no Alaska Visa card can match as outlined above but will need to complete a status challenge to extend the status beyond 90 days.

To keep status, those members must meet the following thresholds by flying Alaska Airlines during their 90-day trial period:

• 5,000 miles to keep MVP.

• 10,000 miles to keep MVP Gold.

• 20,000 miles to keep MVP Gold 75K.

Meanwhile, those with Delta status already confirmed for 2024 and an Alaska Visa credit card by the end of this year will be allowed to match up one tier higher than usual:

• Medallion Silver = MVP Gold.

• Medallion Gold = MVP Gold 75K.

• Medallion Platinum and Diamond = MVP Gold 100K.

Typically, Alaska does not allow members to reach MVP Gold 100K via status match, so this is a rare opportunity.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Is Alaska Airlines a good alternative for Delta flyers?

Alaska Airlines operates far fewer flights than Delta, overall. However, the airline is a member of the Oneworld Alliance and a partner with American Airlines.

Mileage Plan elites can enjoy many of their elite status perks when flying on American, from free checked bags to priority boarding and complimentary upgrades on domestic flights.

One big drawback: Members who earn MVP Gold 75K or MVP Gold 100K through a status match will not receive systemwide upgrades on American, a perk of high-tier Alaska status that allows members to upgrade on overseas American flights.

Also, members who match into MVP Gold 75K won’t earn the 50,000 bonus miles upon qualifying, and those who match into MVP Gold 100K won’t get Choice Benefits.

» Learn more: Alaska Airlines vs. Delta Air Lines: Which is right for you?

JetBlue status match for Delta members

JetBlue is also offering a status match geared specifically toward Delta SkyMiles members on the hunt for a new airline. The status match is appropriately named “Mosaic on the DL” because Delta’s official code in the aviation world is “DL.”

JetBlue will match Medallion members into Mosaic status as follows:

• Medallion Silver = Mosaic 1.

• Medallion Gold = Mosaic 2.

• Medallion Platinum = Mosaic 3.

• Medallion Diamond = Mosaic 4.

The status will be valid through Dec. 30, 2023.

Then, to keep it through 2024, JetBlue will require matched TrueBlue members to do one of two things by Dec. 30: Get either the JetBlue Plus Card or JetBlue Business Card, or earn the following number of Mosaic Tiles:

• Medallion Silver: Six tiles to keep Mosaic 1.

• Medallion Gold: 12 tiles to keep Mosaic 2.

• Medallion Platinum: 24 tiles to keep Mosaic 3.

• Medallion Diamond: 30 tiles to keep Mosaic 4.

JetBlue members earn one tile for every $100 spent on qualifying JetBlue purchases — such as air travel. So, to keep Mosaic 1 as a Silver member, you’d need to spend $600 on flights by Dec. 30 to keep Mosaic 1.

You’ll want to take advantage of this status match quickly, because you have to apply by Oct. 31. Plus, the airline is limiting this opportunity to a maximum of 30,000 applicants.

One drawback to status matching into Mosaic status is you won’t get to make your own selection of JetBlue’s Perks You Pick, an enticing element of status under the airline’s revamped elite status tiers this year.

Rather, for matched Mosaic members, JetBlue will dictate the perks awarded for each tier:

• Mosaic 1: Mint Suite priority.

• Mosaic 2: Pet fee wavier.

• Mosaic 3: FoundersCard Blue membership.

• Mosaic 4: 15,000 TrueBlue points.

The bottom line

As Delta loyalists wait to see if the airline might roll back some of its planned SkyMiles changes, members can take advantage of some compelling status matches in the meantime, with status in a new program easier to come by than usual.

Unsurprisingly, the easiest way to solidify your status with a new program: a new co-branded credit card with your new airline of choice.

(Top photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)