Airline Status Matching Lets Frequent Flyers Keep Elite Perks When Switching Carriers

Status matching lets frequent flyers transfer elite benefits from one airline to another. Many travelers are unaware of this shortcut. A passenger who has earned elite status with one carrier can present that status to a different airline and immediately receive comparable perks, such as priority boarding, additional checked baggage, and in some cases, seat upgrades. For those switching airlines, status matching offers a way to avoid starting from scratch and to preserve the value of years spent earning status.