Delta match status, here's how to become Skyteam Elite plus until 2024

Today we talk about a new status match possibility, that is, to take advantage of a loyalty card to gain the level in a different company's program and enjoy the benefits almost effortlessly.

There are a total of 15 recognized loyalty programs for this proposed status match, for us in Italy the most interested in this offer are Lufthansa Miles&More or British Airways Executive Club card holders.

Not only will you be able to obtain the status for 3 months, but you will also be able to renew it on a single flight, operated by Delta or other Skyteam partners, to the U.S. or other destinations.

The details of Delta's status match offer

The status match challenge is divided into two stages. Once status is obtained, you will have a provisional virtual card with a duration of 3 months: if the challenge requirements are met in this time frame, the card will become effective and you will maintain the status until January 31, 2024.

What is interesting is that the fast track is active for all 3 levels of Delta's Skymiles program: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The level of landing depends, of course, on the level possessed. And depending on the level obtained there will be a different challenge to complete.

Requirements for obtaining match status

The requirements In order to participate in this proposed status match there are 3 and you must have them all to get the card in the frequent flyer Delta program:

• Hold status in one of the various loyalty programs listed below, the card must have been obtained in the field and not through another status match or promotion of any kind.
• Not having requested a status match in Delta over the past three years.
• Not having received, for the past three years, free Delta status Through a promotion or other means.

In a nutshell, you must have a valid membership card (with bank statement showing you have flown), and if you have not applied for and/or obtained match status in Delta in the past 36 months, you will have access to the second phase of the challenge.

What are the programs covered by the status match

Of course, there are no Skyteam companies in this promotion, but that is to be expected. The list includes 15 carriers in all:

Progrmma of provenance	Delta Silver Medallion	Delta Gold Medallion	Delta Platinum Medallion
Qantas Frequent Flyer	Silver	Gold	Platinum and Platinum One
Virgin Australia Velocity	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Air Canada Aeroplan	25K and 35K	50K	75K and Super Elite
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan	MVP	MVP Gold	MVP Gold 75K and 100K
ANA Mileage Club	Bronze	Platinum	Diamond
American Airlines AAdvantage	Gold	Platinum	Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey
Asiana Airlines' Asiana Club	Gold	Diamond	Diamond Plus and Platinum
British Airways Executive Club	Bronze	Silver	Gold
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles	Silver	Gold	Platinum and Presidential Platinum
JAL Mileage Bank	Crystal	Sapphire	Premier and Diamond
JetBlue TrueBlue	-	Mosaic	-
Lufthansa Miles & More	Frequent Traveller	-	Senator and HON Circle
South African Airways Voyager	Silver	Gold	Platinum and Lifetime Platinum
Southwest Rapid Rewards	A-List	A-List Preferred	-
United MileagePlus	Premier Silver	Premier Gold	Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services

The two most popular programs in Italy are definitely theBritish Airways Executive Club e Lufthansa's Miles&More. In the case of LH the interesting thing is that with Senator status you get the Platinum Medallion level.

Free status for three months

Once the request is approved, you are automatically enrolled in the challenge and matched to Platinum, Gold or Silver Medallion status based on the elite level you hold with the other airline. The free match status will last for 3 months, starting 24 hours after receiving the confirmation email. If your request is not approved, you will receive an email notifying you of Delta's decision.

Extend status

Three free months is fine if you are planning to fly with a Skyteam airline and want to take advantage of the status to travel more comfortably, however, there is also the option to renew the level until January 2024. To renew your membership and become a full-fledged elite, you must complete the challenge. At that point, one could also aim to renew for another 12 months.

To complete the challenge you need to earn the required amount of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQM) or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQS) during the free 3-month period. For those residing outside the United States, there is no option of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD).

MQMs, or Medallion Qualification Miles, are. points that you accumulate by flying Delta or other Skyteam partners and are calculated based on distance traveled. Conversely, MQSs are the segments flown. For example, a Milan-Madrid round trip with Air France via Paris allows 4MQS to accumulate, while a Fiumicino New York with Delta 2MQS.

Accumulating MQMs by flying with Air France or Aeromexico allows you to get many more points compared to a similar itinerary booked with Delta. In light of the reduced requirements to renew status, if you have a flight scheduled with Skyteam and you can participate in this proposed status match, I would do it without ifs and buts. Especially since. even today, ITA Airways tickets do not allow the transfer of punti on other programs or to renew status if not flying ITA.

• Status Match