New Southwest Status Match Opportunity Includes A-List Preferred

Updated: March 4, 2026, 6:19am CST

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Southwest Offering Status Match up to A-List Preferred
Final Thoughts

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Southwest Airlines is offering elite flyers from other airlines the chance to match and maintain elite status in its Rapid Rewards program, including A-List Preferred.

Here’s how to complete the status match, how to maintain your new status for a longer period, and everything else you need to know.

Southwest Offering Status Match up to A-List Preferred

Southwest Airlines is currently running a status match open to elite members of other major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, that allows eligible flyers to match up to A-List Preferred status.

If you register and meet the criteria for the status match challenge, you’ll be granted your new Rapid Rewards elite status for 120 days, giving you 4 months to gain experience with Southwest’s new policies and elite benefits without having to earn status “the old-fashioned way.”

Southwest RECARO R2 Extra Legroom seats — Image Credit: Southwest Airlines

After you match your status successfully, you’ll have an opportunity to extend it for a year:

A-List: Fly 3 round-trip flights or 6 one-way flights on Southwest, or earn at least 11,500 qualifying points from flying.
A-List Preferred: Fly 6 round-trip flights or 12 one-way flights on Southwest, or earn at least 23,000 qualifying points from flying.

Here’s a look at where your existing elite status in a competitor airline will land you with Southwest:

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Competitor Program	Elite Tiers That Match to A-List	Elite Tiers That Match to A-List Preferred
Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards	Silver	Gold, Platinum, and Titanium
American Airlines AAdvantage	Gold	Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum, ConciergeKey
Delta SkyMiles	Silver	Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Delta360
JetBlue TrueBlue	Mosaic 1	Mosaic 2,3, and 4
United MileagePlus	Silver	Gold, Platinum, 1K

Here are some additional terms and conditions you should be aware of:

This status match isn’t available to anyone who’s participated in a Southwest status match or challenge in the last 12 months.
It can take up to 12 days for your promotional status to reflect in your Rapid Rewards account.
Current Southwest A-List or A-List Preferred members are not eligible to participate.
Registration is available through December 30, 2026.

Hot Tip:

To learn more, read about how you can earn elite status with Southwest — and whether it’s worth doing so.

Final Thoughts

Southwest is offering a status match that provides eligible flyers with A-List or A-List Preferred status for 120 days, with the option to extend it for a full year by flying as few as 3 round-trip Southwest flights. If you have elite status with another airline and are interested in giving Southwest a chance, make sure you register before booking any new travel with the airline.