Delta Offering SkyMiles Elite Status Match to Higher Tier [Targeted]

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available.

Delta Air Lines is offering a status match opportunity to targeted customers and then bumping their status up by 1 level. This unique approach will help increase engagement and utilization by these targeted consumers and will hopefully result in more travelers sticking with Delta for their frequent travels.

Table of Contents

Who Is Eligible?
How Long Is the Status Good For?
Why Is Delta Doing This?
Final Thoughts

Who Is Eligible?

This offer appears to be targeted, primarily at holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, though other cardholders may be eligible as well. To be able to utilize this offer, you’ll need to hold status with another airline such as American Airlines, United, or Alaska.

To check your eligibility, you can visit this website and enter the email that is registered with your American Express account.

Hot Tip: If you weren’t targeted to level up, you may be eligible for the regular Delta Medallion SkyMiles status match challenge. Visit our guide for more details on how to match your existing status from another airline!

How Long Is the Status Good For?

Once Delta matches and bumps your status level, you’ll keep that status until August 31, 2022, nearly 6 months from now. You’ll enjoy all the normal status benefits through that time, but won’t be eligible for any Choice Benefits that only come with actually earning status by fulfilling all requirements.

You’ll need to match your status by August 15, 2022, however, it’s most advantageous if you match your status now so that you have longer to enjoy the free match period.

Through August 31, 2022, you’ll need to fly a certain amount to keep your bumped status for the following year:

If you’re bumped to Gold, you must fly 18,000 qualifying miles or 12 segments to extend status
If you’re bumped to Platinum, you must fly 28,000 qualifying miles or 22 segments to extend status
If you’re bumped to Diamond, you must fly 50,000 qualifying miles or 55 segments to extend status

Delta Diamond is Delta’s highest public tier offering, normally requiring north of 125,000 miles flown in a year. Alaska MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K, American Airlines Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum, and United Premier Platinum and Premier 1K will all match to Delta Diamond as part of this promotion.

Delta One passengers talking — Upgrades are a key perk of Delta status. The higher status you hold, the more likely it is that your upgrade will clear. Image Credit: Delta

Why Is Delta Doing This?

It’s very common for one airline to status match customers from another airline. It’s a relatively cheap process, and airlines are able to quickly grab the attention of consumers using a competitor, hoping that they’ll enjoy their new elite benefits so much that they completely jump ship and show loyalty to the new airline.

What makes this offer unique is that Delta is status matching plus raising the person’s status up a level, therefore increasing the number of perks and benefits that consumers will experience. This is a great tactic to really ensure that consumers see a higher level of service and benefits and are even more motivated to use Delta in the future.

Final Thoughts

If you hold a competitor’s elite status and were targeted for this promotion through your American Express card, there’s little reason not to take advantage. Enjoy a higher set of benefits through Delta bumping up the status levels, and if you meet the reduced qualification requirements, you’ll enjoy your newly bumped status through 2023.