In this article
Alaska Courts Delta Flyers with a Special Status Match
Alaska Airlines has launched a very specific new version of their Status Match for Delta elites unhappy with the very negative changes to the SkyMiles program announced last week. (My take on Delta’s status changes.)
Previously Status Matched to Alaska – Ever? You Are Not Eligible
Before getting into this, please note that as of today, Alaska does not want you, no matter your Delta status, if you have ever done a status match with them. That means that even if you matched 15 years ago and moved to Delta – they will not incentivize you to come back.
Now that is a standard component of their status match. It’s always been once in a lifetime. But one would think that when devising such a great campaign (you’ll see in a second that they are going all out), that they’d make an exception. I did ask them and they did confirm there is no exception to this, but they also promised to reach out to leadership to double-confirm they are not going to have any leeway there, so I’ll update this (and write a separate post) if they change their mind.
The Awesome Alaska Airlines MileagePlan Match Opportunity
Alaska will match your current Delta status for the rest of 2023 if you submit proof (your Delta status tracker showing YTD MQMs, status, and next years, qualified status).
They will let you keep your status through December 31st, 2024 if you either have or open either the Alaska Airlines Visa® or Alaska Airlines Business Visa® by December 31, 2023 or complete a status challenge. If you complete a status challenge, you’ll have to complete the following on Alaska marketed and operated flights (no AA!):
- MVP status — fly 5,000 miles on Alaska
- MVP Gold status — fly 10,000 miles on Alaska
- MVP Gold 75K status — fly 20,000 miles on Alaska
The genius here is that if you have or get one of the credit cards, they’ll actually bump you up a tier and as far as TOP TIER MVP Gold 100K. That would apply if you currently have Delta Platinum or Diamond status AND have it earned through 2024 at the time you submit your match. If you haven’t quite qualified for Platinum+ yet but will by October 31st, you’d want to wait.
Here’s the chart Alaska provides to know exactly what you’ll match to:
| If your SkyMiles®status expires | And you | Delta Silver Medallion | Delta Gold Medallion | Delta Platinum Medallion | Delta Diamond Medallion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2023 | Are not an Alaska Airlines Visa® cardholder by December 31, 2023 | MVP for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold 75K for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold 75K for 90 days with a status match challenge |
| December 31, 2023 | Are an Alaska Airlines Visa®cardholder by December 31, 2023 | MVP through 2024 | MVP Gold through 2024 | MVP Gold 75K through 2024 | MVP Gold 75K through 2024 |
| December 31, 2024 | Are not an Alaska Airlines Visa® cardholder by December 31, 2023 | MVP for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold 75K for 90 days with a status match challenge | MVP Gold 75K for 90 days with a status match challenge |
| December 31, 2024 | Are an Alaska Airlines Visa®cardholder by December 31, 2023 | MVP Gold through 2024 | MVP Gold 75K through 2024 | MVP Gold 100K through 2024 | MVP Gold 100K through 2024 |
How To Match
Head to this page and follow the instructions.
The Alaska Credit Cards
Make sure you have one! If you don’t, the best offers are for 62,000 miles on the personal card (you this link – non-affiliate- I get nothing for you using this link but a smile) or 50,000 miles on the business card using this link (which is also not an affiliate link or link that otherwise gets me anything at all).
Both require $3,000 in spend within 3 months and both come with the Companion Fare offer ($99 fare + tax).
Note that I’ve seen some blogs linking to affiliate links for the personal card that offer just 40k, so beware.
Thoughts?
Let me know below in the comments, on Twitter, or in the private MilesTalk Facebook group. And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for all sorts of tips on miles, points, credit cards, and travel.
If this post helped you, please consider sharing it!
You can find credit cards that best match your spending habits and bonus categories at Your Best Credit Cards.
New to all of this? My “introduction to miles and points” book, MilesTalk: Live Your Wildest Travel Dreams Using Miles and Points is available on Amazon and at major booksellers.
