Delta Status Match & Status Match Challenge Options

The Delta status match is a great way to take advantage of airline competition. It allows you to leverage your status on another airline for Delta perks. Established airlines face increasingly fierce competition as new competitors continue to emerge, driving down the cost of airline travel and challenging legacy carriers like Delta, United, and American Airlines. With so many options at consumers’ fingertips, loyalty programs – and consequently status matches and challenges – have become more important than ever before.

The Difference Between a Status Match and a Challenge

Status Match: No minimum flying requirements are needed. You receive immediate matching status once your request is approved, and it continues for a specified period of time.

Status Challenge: You are required to fly a specific number of miles or segments within a period of time, and you do not receive elite status until the challenge is completed.

Status Match With a Status Challenge: You receive immediate elite status, and you keep that status level during the time you spend completing the challenge flying requirements until a specified expiration date.

Delta’s Medallion Status Match Challenge

Delta offers a status match with a status challenge. If you currently have elite status with another airline, Delta will give you the equivalent Medallion Status for three months. Afterwards, you’ll have the opportunity to extend your Status past three months if you successfully complete the Medallion Status Match Challenge.

Why Switch to Delta?

With Delta’s SkyMiles:

Your miles never expire and can take you to 1,000+ destinations around the world.
You can use your miles to travel on any Delta Airlines flight with no blackout dates.
Watch your miles add up faster when you dine, shop, book a stay, rent cars, and more with your favorite brands.

As a Medallion Member, you’ll receive benefits such as:

Rollover Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) – a Delta exclusive.
Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades for you and a travel companion.
Waived Baggage Fees.
Priority Boarding.
Preferred Seats.
Choice Benefits – a Delta exclusive for Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members.

How Does it Work?

Delta’s status match challenge involves 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Determine if you are eligible based on the following criteria:

You have not received a Status Match or complimentary Medallion Status in the past three years. (Unless the complimentary Medallion Status was through your Million Miler Status.)
You currently have elite status with a qualifying airline. Must have been earned through that airline’s published requirements (complimentary status or status earned through a promotion does not qualify).
You are able to present both a valid current elite credential, and a statement showing your earned elite status.

Unfortunately, if you do not meet the above requirements, you are not eligible for Delta’s Status Match Challenge.

Step 2: Submit your request here.

Step 3: Enjoy your complimentary Medallion Status for 3 months.

Your request is typically replied to within 5 business days, (but it can take up to 2 weeks). If approved, you will be automatically enrolled in the challenge and matched to Platinum, Gold, or Silver Medallion Status. Which you are matched to is based on your current elite status with another airline. Your complimentary Status Match will last for 3 months beginning on the date your request is approved.

Extending Your Status

Extend your Delta Status by earning the required amount of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) during the 3 month complimentary period and, for U.S.-based Members only, earning the required amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) during the 3 month complimentary period. You can also qualify for a MQD Waiver by spending a certain amount on a Delta co-branded credit card. Our favorite is the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express. The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 60,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $2,000 in the first three months. Offer expires April 3, 2019.

MQMs / MQSs / MQDs needed to extend Status past 3 months

For more information about earning MQMs, MQSs, MQDs or the MQD Waiver, feel free to visit Delta’s How to Get Medallion Status page.

Bonus Extension

Can you afford to wait to fly Delta? If so, pay attention. If you enroll in the challenge between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 of the following year and complete the requirements, your Medallion Status will be extended through January 31, 2022. But, if you enroll in the challenge on or after July 1, 2020 and you complete the requirements, your Medallion Status will be extended through January 31, 2023. That’s an entire extra year of status if you submit your status match request on July 1 and complete the requirements.

*For full details regarding earning the MQD Waiver for the Status Match Challenge, please visit the additional details & terms section at the end of Delta’s Status Match Challenge page.

Delta Status Comparison Chart (Sourced from Delta Website)

Delta SkyMiles Medallion Status	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Air Canada Altitude Status	Prestige 25K, Elite 35K	Elite 50K	Elite 75K, Super Elite 100K
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Status	MVP	MVP Gold	MVP Gold 75K
All Nippon Airways Mileage Club Status	Bronze	Platinum	Diamond
American Airlines AAdvantage Status	Gold	Platinum	Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Concierge Key
Asiana Airlines Asiana Club Status	Gold	Diamond	Diamond Plus, Platinum
British Airways Executive Club Status	Bronze	Silver	Gold
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles Status	Silver	Gold	Platinum, Presidential Platinum
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank Fly On Status	Crystal	Sapphire	Premier, Diamond
jetBlue True Blue Status	N/A	Mosaic	N/A
Lufthansa Miles & More Status	Frequent Traveler	N/A	Senator, HON Circle Members
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards	A-List	A-List Preferred	N/A
United Airlines Mileage Plus Status	Premier Silver	Premier Gold	Premier Platinum, Platinum 1K, Global Services

Concluding Thoughts

If you’re considering changing airlines or branching out, a status match / challenge is a great way to “skip the line” and quickly earn status at airlines like Delta.