How to Status Match With Southwest Airlines [In-Depth Guide]

Regardless of the airline, having elite status can make travel more comfortable (and certainly less stressful). Some travelers value elite status so much, they go to great lengths to keep it and are devastated if they ever have to give it up or lose it.

If you’ve flown enough to meet the status requirements of an airline’s frequent flyer program, there’s probably another airline out there that would love to have you as a loyal customer.

The new airline might even offer you an incentive to try them on for size. That could be a status match or status challenge — many airlines offer some form of these opportunities for the purpose of luring existing frequent flyers.

Southwest Airlines is one of several major airlines with a status match program. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and many others have their own status matches/challenges that offer frequent flyers of other airlines a chance to experience corresponding elite benefits for a limited period of time.

Southwest’s status match is complimentary and immediate on approval. They’ll also extend your elite status beyond the initial promotional period after you complete minimal additional requirements.

In this article we’ll explain:

• How airline status matches and challenges work
• How Southwest’s status match/challenge program works
• The benefits of having Southwest elite status
• How to request and qualify for the status match/challenge
• How to enhance your new elite status benefits

Let’s get started reviewing everything you need to complete a status match with the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Program.

What Is a Status Match and How Does it Work?

If you have current elite status with an airline and need (or want) to switch to a new airline, that new airline may have a program whereby they will match your status (they want your business, after all!).

You would submit a request to the new airline including documentation of your current elite status and flight history. The new airline will either approve or deny your request.

If you’re approved, you might receive immediate elite status for a specific period of time. You may also be required to complete additional activity before you receive the status match, depending on the airline’s policy.

Note that you don’t have to give up your current elite status, nor is it transferred to the new airline. The new matched status would be in addition to your existing elite status.

The Difference Between a Status Match and a Status Challenge

Each airline has its own procedure for matching airline status. The program could be an immediate status match based on your current corresponding elite status, a requirement that you complete certain activities before they grant you a status match, or a combination of the 2.

• Status Match — The new airline gives you immediate corresponding status for a specific period of time with no further requirements
• Status Match With a Challenge — You receive immediate status and then are required to fly a certain amount of miles (usually in a 90-day period) to have the status extended.
• Status Challenge — You do not receive any status match until you complete the required qualifying activity.

It is also possible that your status match request will be denied. Possible reasons for denial can include that your current airline is not eligible, your status has expired, or your status was earned by having a credit card or from a previous status match.

Hot Tip: If you need more clarification, check out our piece — The Ultimate Guide to Airline Status Matches/Challenges.

Southwest’s Status Match Program

Southwest’s status match program grants immediate elite status when your request is approved. The airline then requires you to complete a challenge in order to extend your granted elite status for 12 months.

The Southwest Status Challenge Advantage

Southwest’s frequent flyer program has 3 levels of elite status opportunities. When your status match request is approved, you are granted A-List level elite status that is valid for 90 days.

However, if you go on to complete the status challenge requirements, your elite status will be extended to 12 months. To extend your status, you must complete 3 paid round-trip flights or 6 paid one-way flights within the 90 day period after your status match was approved.

Normally you would need to fly 20 paid one-way flights or accumulate 35,000 points in a 12-month period to secure A-List status.

Southwest Rapid Rewards Points are earned through paid fares, partner purchases, and by using Southwest’s Rapid Rewards credit cards.

Bottom Line: Status matches and challenges offer a fast track to elite status for completing requirements that are far less than normal annual requirements. They’re a perfect shortcut when you want (or need) to change airlines.

Benefits of Southwest Airlines Elite Status

Southwest Airlines will grant A-List elite status when you are approved for their status match. With A-List status, you can expect the following benefits:

• Priority boarding, check-in, and security lane access
• 25% bonus points on every qualifying flight
• Free same-day flight standby
• Dedicated customer service phone line

How and When to Submit a Status Match Request

The first step in any status match process is to join the new airline’s frequent flyer program. To join Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program, simply complete the enrollment form on their website and make note of your new membership number.

Completing an Individual Traveler Status Match Request

Once you’ve enrolled in Rapid Rewards and secured a membership number, you’ll need to take a screenshot or secure a copy of your current elite membership credentials with the other airline.

Create an email requesting your status match, and include the following information:

• Full name
• Rapid Rewards^® number
• Screenshot of current elite status with a U.S.-based airline

Submit your request to southwest.statusmatch@wnco.com. You can expect to receive a reply within 12 business days.

Completing a Corporate Traveler Status Match Request

If your company has a corporate travel agreement with Southwest Airlines, you may also be eligible for a status match.

Submit an email requesting the status match and include the following information:

• Full name
• Rapid Rewards^® number
• Company name
• Your corporate email address
• A screenshot showing your current elite status with a U.S. airline

Submit your request to rrstatusmatch@wnco.com.

When to Submit Your Request

Most airline status matches/challenges favor getting approved and completing challenges late in the year, since your status may be extended through the following calendar year. (Those who finish their challenge early in the year normally receive granted status through the end of the current year.)

Fortunately, with Southwest Airlines, you can submit a status match request at any time.

Once your request is approved, your A-List status will be valid for 90 days. After you have completed the status challenge requirements within that time period, your elite status will be extended 12 months from the date of first approval.

There’s no need to worry about timing your request for optimum results here.

Hot Tip: Need a new credit card? Take a peek at these credit cards that are great for Southwest Airlines flyers.

Completing the Flying Requirements

To complete the status challenge, you must book and board the required flights within the 90-day period after your status match is approved. Reservations that were booked prior to your status match approval will not count toward the challenge.

Fortunately, Southwest flights can be canceled and re-booked without additional charge.

To receive A-List benefits while flying, your flights should be booked after your promotional status has been granted and your A-List status shows in your Rapid Rewards© account.

These must be paid flights, and you will need either 3 round-trip journeys or 6 one-way flights to complete the challenge.

Fortunately, Southwest allows you to look up fares for every day of each month with its low fare calendar. If you’re flexible you can save a lot of money on your flights using this tool.

Enhancing Your New Elite Status

Having an airline credit card delivers benefits you won’t receive with elite status alone. You’ll be earning award tickets faster, receiving discounts/credits, and enjoying additional perks/benefits.

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card

In addition to a generous welcome offer, Southwest Priority card will earn 2-3x points on purchases with Southwest and its partners. The card allows you to earn points you can redeem for flights and help you re-qualify for A-List status.

With perks such as priority boarding, inflight discounts, and an annual travel credit, your new elite status is enhanced immensely by having a Southwest Priority card.

• 3 points/$1 spent with Southwest purchases
• 2 points/$1 spent on Southwest hotel and car rental partners
• 2 points/$1 spent on local transit, commuting, internet, cable, phone, and select streaming services
• 1 point/$1 all other purchases
• 7,500 anniversary points each year
• $75 Southwest annual travel credit
• 4 upgraded boardings per year
• 25% back on inflight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging, and movies
• No foreign transaction fees
• Earn tier qualifying points toward A-List Status

Everything Else You Need to Know

Current Rapid Rewards A-List members do not qualify for the status match/challenge promotions.

Corporate members can complete the status challenge by obtaining 8,000 Rapid Rewards Points or completing 3 paid round-trip flights or 6 paid one-way flights. Regular members do not have the point option.

If you complete the higher annual requirements for A-List status (20 one-way paid flights or 35,000 points) during the status challenge promotional period (as opposed to just the reduced challenge requirements), the annual A-List status will prevail over granted promotional status.

Southwest’s status match is not always available.

Final Thoughts

If you hold elite status with any domestic airline, live near an airport serviced by Southwest Airlines, and frequently fly the airline, there’s no doubt you would benefit from receiving a status match.

Status matches can start you on the path to a higher elite level while allowing you to enjoy the benefits and perks you’re accustomed to with your current airline.

Since status matches can be limited to once in the lifetime of your account, you’ll want to request a status match only when it serves you best. For example, when you’re ready to switch airlines, have extensive travel planned on Southwest, and can use the temporary status as a platform for achieving continued elite status with the new airline.