Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
StatusMatcher Guide: How to Get Elite Status With Airlines and Hotels (Without Starting From Scratch)
July 1, 2025
.webp)
Earning elite status with airlines and hotels typically requires months of travel and thousands of dollars in spending. But there's a lesser-known shortcut that lets you leverage existing status with one brand to unlock instant elite perks with their competitors: status matching.
What is StatusMatcher?
If you've worked hard to earn Gold, Platinum, or Diamond status with one travel brand, you shouldn't have to start from zero when trying a new airline or hotel chain. Status matching programs recognize this, and StatusMatcher.com is the crowdsourced database that tracks which companies are actually willing to match your current status. Here's everything you need to know about status matching and how to use StatusMatcher to unlock elite travel benefits faster.
What Is a Status Match?
A status match occurs when you approach an airline or hotel company with proof of your elite status with a competing brand and request equivalent status with them.For example, if you hold Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you might be able to instantly receive Hilton Honors Diamond status by showing proof of your Marriott tier without staying a single night at a Hilton property.
Why do companies offer status matches?
Travel brands use status matching as a customer acquisition strategy. They know that travelers are reluctant to abandon the perks they've earned with their current preferred brand. By offering immediate equivalent status, competitors can entice customers to switch loyalty programs without sacrificing their hard-earned benefits.
How StatusMatcher.com Works
StatusMatcher.com has been operating since 2007 as a community-driven database where travelers report their status matching experiences - both successful attempts and rejections.
The platform tracks:
- Which airlines and hotels are currently offering status matches
- Success rates for different status tiers
- Whether matches are official (advertised) or unofficial (granted on request)
- How long matched status lasts
- Any requirements or restrictions
While the site doesn't guarantee results, it provides valuable intelligence about which brands are worth approaching and what you'll need to succeed.
Pro tip: Use tools like Kudos to track which cards in your wallet already provide status benefits you might not be leveraging. The $450-$695 annual fees on these cards become much more valuable when you use the included status to match across multiple brands.
Types of Status Matches
Official Status Match Programs
Some travel brands actively promote status matching campaigns. These typically appear on the company's website or through targeted marketing:
Recent examples include:
- Radisson Hotels: Has offered top-tier status to members of competing hotel programs
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM): Actively recruits British Airways customers with status match offers
- Virgin Atlantic: Openly matches airline status for anyone with a Premium or Upper Class flight booked
- Hilton Honors: Has run consistent status match programs for years (typically offers status through March of the following year)
Official programs are straightforward. You follow the application process outlined by the company and receive status if you meet the criteria.
Unofficial Status Matches
Many airlines and hotels will grant status matches even without advertised programs, but you need to know to ask. These unofficial matches typically require:
- Contacting customer service directly (phone, email, or chat)
- Providing proof of your current elite status (screenshot of account, membership card, etc.)
- Having upcoming travel booked with that brand (increases success rates)
- Sometimes completing a "status challenge" (earn X stays or flights within a timeframe)
Examples of brands known for unofficial matching:
- Marriott Bonvoy (has offered Platinum Elite challenges)
- Various oneworld alliance airlines
- IHG One Rewards
- Several European and Middle Eastern carriers
StatusMatcher.com helps identify which companies have granted unofficial matches and under what circumstances.
Benefits of Status Matching
Status matching unlocks immediate access to elite perks without the usual earning requirements:
Airline status benefits:
- Priority check-in and boarding
- Free checked bags
- Complimentary upgrades (when available)
- Airport lounge access
- Extra miles/points earning on flights
- Waived change and cancellation fees
- Priority customer service
Hotel status benefits:
- Room upgrades (including suites at top tiers)
- Late checkout
- Complimentary breakfast
- Bonus points on stays
- Welcome amenities
- Lounge access at select properties
- Guaranteed room availability
These perks can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually, making status matching incredibly valuable for frequent travelers.
How to Use StatusMatcher.com Effectively
Step 1: Create an account (free)
While you can browse without an account, registering lets you contribute your own experiences and access more detailed information.
Step 2: Search for your target brand
Look up the airline or hotel where you want status. The database shows recent match attempts, success rates, and user comments.
Step 3: Evaluate the data
Look for:
- Recent successful matches (within the past 6-12 months)
- Multiple confirmations from different users
- Details about what documentation was required
- Any patterns (e.g., "requires booked travel" or "more likely to match Gold than Silver")
Step 4: Check your current status eligibility
Most programs require you to hold at least mid-tier status (Gold/Platinum equivalent) to qualify for matching.
Step 5: Prepare your documentation
Have ready:
- Screenshot of your elite status account page showing tier and member number
- Copy of your physical membership card (if available)
- Proof of upcoming travel with the target brand (if applicable)
Step 6: Make your request
Contact the target brand through:
- Official status match application (if available)
- Customer service phone line
- Twitter/X social media team
- Email to customer relations
- Live chat on their website
Strategic Status Matching Tips
Match Strategically, Not Randomly
Don't request status matches with brands you'll never use. Focus on:
- Brands you'll actually travel with: Have upcoming trips booked or realistic plans to use that airline/hotel within the match period (typically 90 days to one year).
- Complementary programs: If you primarily fly domestically on American Airlines, matching with a European carrier like British Airways or Finnair could provide better value for international trips.
- Gaps in your status portfolio: Already have Delta Diamond? Consider matching with a hotel program instead to maximize your overall travel benefits.
Timing Matters
Best times to request matches:
- Early in the calendar year (companies have fresh budgets for customer acquisition)
- When you have confirmed travel booked with that brand
- During promotional periods when official match programs are running
- After achieving new elite status with your current brand (strike while documentation is fresh)
Worst times:
- End of calendar year (status expires soon anyway)
- After the brand just ended a promotional match campaign
- During industry disruptions when customer service is overwhelmed
Different Approaches for Different Brands
- British Airways: Notoriously difficult to match unless your company has a corporate agreement or you work with an overseas office. However, they did run a targeted status match for US residents in 2024, showing occasional flexibility.
- Virgin Atlantic: Very generous—openly matches anyone with a Premium or Upper Class flight booked. One of the easiest matches to obtain.
- Marriott: Has historically offered status challenges (complete X stays within 90 days to earn status) rather than instant matches.
- Hilton: Frequently runs status match promotions. Pro tip: Apply in April when the program typically extends through March of the following year for maximum duration.
Common Status Match Scenarios
You're Switching Airlines
If you've achieved status with one airline but want to try a competitor (maybe for better routes, pricing, or schedule), status matching lets you maintain your perks during the transition.
Example: You hold United MileagePlus Gold but are moving to a city where Delta has a hub. Match your United status to Delta SkyMiles to maintain free bags and priority boarding while you build status naturally with Delta.
You're Diversifying Hotel Stays
Holding status with multiple hotel chains increases your options when traveling to different destinations.
Example: You're Marriott Bonvoy Platinum from business travel but have an upcoming trip to a city where Hilton has better property options. Match to Hilton Diamond for that trip and enjoy room upgrades and complimentary breakfast.
You Want Backup Status
If you're at risk of not requalifying for status with your primary brand, matching to a competitor provides insurance.
Example: You're BA Gold but uncertain about meeting British Airways' new, stricter qualification criteria. Match your status to another oneworld carrier like Qantas or Cathay Pacific as a safety net.
You're Maximizing Credit Card Benefits
Many premium travel credit cards offer elite status or status-earning benefits. Status matching can help you leverage these benefits across multiple brands.
Example: Your credit card gives you IHG Platinum status. Use that to match into Hyatt Globalist or Marriott Platinum to expand your hotel status portfolio.
What to Expect: Success Rates and Timelines
Likelihood of Success
Based on StatusMatcher data:
High probability (70%+ success rate):
- Brands running official promotional matches
- Virgin Atlantic airline status matches
- Hilton hotel status matches (during active campaigns)
- Matching from higher to equivalent tiers (Diamond to Diamond)
Moderate probability (40-70% success rate):
- Unofficial matches when you have confirmed travel booked
- Status challenges with moderate requirements
- Matching between alliance partners (oneworld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam)
Low probability (under 40% success rate):
- British Airways (unless corporate relationship)
- Matching from lower to higher tiers (Gold to Platinum)
- Brands with no recent successful matches reported
- Requesting matches without any planned travel
Response Timeframes
- Instant: Some official online applications approve immediately
- 24-48 hours: Common for email or chat requests
- 3-7 days: Typical for phone requests requiring documentation review
- 2-4 weeks: Status challenges that require completing stays/flights
If you haven't heard back within two weeks, follow up politely via the same channel.
Important Limitations and Considerations
Status Match Duration
Matched status typically lasts:
- 90 days to 1 year: Most common duration
- Until year-end: Some brands align matches to calendar year
- Challenge period only: If tied to completing requirements
Check expiration dates carefully and note them in your calendar. Some brands may allow re-matching after expiration if you've maintained status with your original brand.
One Match Per Brand
Most programs only allow one status match per customer, per brand. Once you've matched, you'll need to earn status through normal qualification next time or wait several years before they'll consider matching again.
Reciprocal Matches
Just because Brand A matched your status from Brand B doesn't mean Brand B will match back. Each program has its own policies.
No Guarantee
Even with high success rates on StatusMatcher, nothing is guaranteed. Travel brands can deny any request, change policies without notice, or end unofficial matching at any time.
Credit Card Shortcuts to Elite Status
Before pursuing status matches, consider whether your credit cards already provide status or status-earning benefits:
Cards offering instant hotel status:
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (automatic Diamond status)
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card (automatic Discoverist status)
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (automatic Gold Elite)
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (automatic Platinum Elite)
Cards offering airline status or perks:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (complimentary Medallion Qualifying Dollars)
- United Quest℠ Card (Premier qualifying points boost)
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card (Famous Companion Fare™)
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
If you have status from a credit card, you can use that as the basis for matching to competing brands, effectively creating a status portfolio from a single annual fee.
Contributing to StatusMatcher
The platform's value depends on community contributions. When you successfully match (or get denied), report your experience:
Include helpful details:
- Exact tier matched from and to
- Date of request and approval
- Method used (phone, email, online form)
- Documentation required
- Any special circumstances (booked flight, corporate account, etc.)
- Duration of matched status
- Any challenges or requirements attached
Your experience helps fellow travelers make informed decisions about where to focus their efforts.
Alternatives to Status Matching
If status matching doesn't work, consider these alternatives:
- Status challenges: Complete X stays/flights within 90 days to earn status
- Purchase status: Some programs sell elite tiers outright (typically $400-$1,200+ annually)
- Credit card status: Instant status through premium travel cards (annual fees apply)
- Corporate programs: Check if your employer has agreements with airlines/hotels
- Soft landings: Some programs grant extended status at a lower tier if you narrowly miss requalification
- Alliance status: Achieve status with one airline to receive benefits across all alliance partners
The Bottom Line
StatusMatcher.com is a valuable tool for travelers looking to maximize elite benefits across multiple brands without starting from scratch each time. While success isn't guaranteed, the crowdsourced data significantly improves your odds by showing you where to focus your efforts. The key to successful status matching is strategic targeting: approach brands you'll actually use, provide clear documentation of your current status, and ideally have confirmed travel booked. The worst they can say is no, but the potential upside of unlocking hundreds or thousands of dollars in travel perks makes the 10-minute effort worthwhile. Whether you're switching airlines, diversifying hotel options, or simply want backup status, StatusMatcher gives you the intelligence to know which brands are worth approaching and how to position your request for maximum success.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
.webp)
