American Airlines is finally running a killer status match promotion. Unfortunately, it’s intended for businesses only.
American Airlines has long offered an “Instant Status Pass” promo that is a bit lame and overly complex, in my humble opinion. Initially, it gives you status for four months. Then, if you complete the Loyalty Points requirements for that four-month period, you get to keep your matched status for…another four months.
American effectively divides the Loyalty Points requirements for each level of status by 3, and that’s the requirement for each four-month period. You then have to hit that qualification level every four months in order to maintain status.
However, this time around, American is upping its matching game. What’s it called? The Elevated Instant Status Pass. You see what they did there?
For a limited time, competitors’ lower-level elite members have been moved up a tier on the AA status match chart (see above). Statuses like Delta and United Silver that would normally match to AA Gold are now being given AA Platinum. Likewise, Delta and United Gold members who would normally match to Platinum are being given AA Platinum Pro during the promotion.
Airline elite statuses that would normally be matched to Platinum Pro or Top-tier Executive Platinum are being offered a carrot as well: their matched Platinum Pro status comes with 2 Flagship Lounge Passes, while those matched to Executive Platinum will get 4 passes.
Perhaps best of all, once you complete the Loyalty Point requirements for the four-month period, you’ll get status all the way through March of 2027. There’s no need to requalify every four months.
The catch? You must have a work email to apply. Personal emails are not accepted.
The Deal
- For a limited time, elite members of other airlines can receive a higher instant status match to American Airlines:
- Lowest-level elite members will be matched to Platinum status instead of Gold
- Second-tier members will be matched to Platinum Pro status instead of Platinum
- Elite members of other airlines that would normally be matched to Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum will get single-day passes for AA Flagship Lounges in addition to their status
- Those matched to Platinum Pro will receive two passes
- Those matched to Executive Platinum will receive four passes
- Valid for submissions received until 10/31/26
- Once registered, the member must earn at least 10K Loyalty Points in four months to continue with Gold benefits, 25K to continue with Platinum benefits, 50K to continue with Platinum Pro benefits, or 100K to continue with Executive Platinum benefits.
- You must provide a business email address in order to apply for the match.
How it Works
- Enroll: Submit proof of your current status with a qualifying airline listed on the form. Once your email is verified and your submission is reviewed by our team, you’ll receive confirmation and details about your new AAdvantage® status via email. You can enjoy your complimentary status for four months while earning Loyalty Points to keep it for longer.
- Earn: The more Loyalty Points you earn over four months, the higher your status can be.
- Enjoy: Reach one of the Loyalty Point goals and keep your status through March 31, 2027.
Terms and Conditions
Elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ Offer
- This is an exclusive offer for the intended recipient only and is non-transferable and non-assignable.
- To be considered for an elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer, please submit the form available at https://globalsales.aa.com/mp/StatusMatchPlus.page. You must request an elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer by 11:59pm CT, October 31, 2025.
- If approved for an elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer, you will enjoy 4 months of complimentary AAdvantage® status beginning on the date that the registration is approved. You will receive an email confirming your status within 24 hours of approval of your registration.
- Please allow at least 4 weeks for your submission to be reviewed.
- This exclusive elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer is based on your company’s relationship with American Airlines. If your company affiliation has changed, you may no longer be eligible.
- To retain status beyond March 31, 2027, you must meet the published qualification requirements.
- American Airlines, in its sole discretion, will determine if the submitted documentation is acceptable and may deny any submission requests for any reason. American Airlines reserves the right to request additional documentation from the member to verify status match eligibility.
- To be eligible for the elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer, the applicant must be a current AAdvantage® member in good standing and a current Delta SkyMiles®, United MileagePlus®, Southwest Rapid Rewards®, JetBlue TrueBlue®, Air Canada Aeroplan®, Air France Flying Blue®, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flying Blue®, Lufthansa Miles & More®, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club® status member.
- The first and last name on the Delta SkyMiles®, United MileagePlus®, Southwest Rapid Rewards®, JetBlue TrueBlue®, Air Canada Aeroplan®, Air France Flying Blue®, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flying Blue®, Lufthansa Miles & More®, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club® membership cards and the AAdvantage® member account must match.
- This elevated status match offer is only valid for Delta SkyMiles®, United MileagePlus®, Southwest Rapid Rewards®, JetBlue TrueBlue®, Air Canada Aeroplan®, Air France Flying Blue®, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flying Blue®, Lufthansa Miles & More®, or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club® status members who met the full status qualification requirements. Matched, transferred, lifetime or promotional status holders are not eligible for this offer.
Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Pass
- If approved for an elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer for AAdvantage Executive Platinum® status, you will receive four (4) Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Passes.
- If approved for an elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer for AAdvantage Platinum Pro® status, you will receive two (2) Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Passes.
- Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Passes will be deposited in the registered AAdvantage® member’s account within 30 days after the date that the elevated 1-Phase Instant Status Pass™ offer registration is approved.
- Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Pass will be valid for 182 days from the date it is deposited into your account and will expire on the date shown on your pass.
- Flagship® Lounge Single Visit Passes are subject to the Flagship® Lounge terms and conditions.
American AAdvantage elite benefits
| AAdvantage elite status | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loyalty Points Required | 40K | 75K | 125K | 200K |
| Mileage Bonus | 40% | 60% | 80% | 120% |
| Preferred Seating | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Main Cabin Extra Seating | Upgrade at Check In | Y | Y | Y |
| Domestic First Class Upgrade | 24 hour window | 48 hour window | 72 hour window | 100 hour window |
| Upgrade on Alaska Airlines | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Free checked bags | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| OneWorld Status | Ruby: Access to biz class check-in, preferred seating | Sapphire: Access to OneWorld Business Class lounges | Emerald: Access to OneWorld First and Business Class lounges | |
Quick Thoughts
I first saw this when Gary over at View from the Wing posted about it earlier today. However, what immediately struck me upon checking it out is that it’s only available for those who have a work email address. Private emails like Gmail or Yahoo won’t be accepted.
What’s not clear to me is whether or not this is targeted to specific businesses only. Based on the limited data points that I’ve seen, that doesn’t appear to be the case, and folks who work for companies with no obvious association with AA are being approved.
That said, the terms do state that, “This is an exclusive offer for the intended recipient only and is non-transferable and non-assignable.” My assumption is that, if you’re approved, you’re good to go…however, let me be clear – that’s just my assumption.
If you are approved, this is a great opportunity, especially for those who have a lower status with another airline. Both Platinum and Platinum Pro offer complimentary first-class upgrades (good luck getting them on longer flights, though), complimentary main cabin extra seating, free checked bags, and mileage bonuses (60% for Platinum, 80% for Platinum Pro). All of those benefits are undoubtedly better than what you enjoy with your lower-level United, Delta, or Southwest status.
Being able to get four months of immediate Platinum status with something like United Silver is a great opportunity. Being able to extend it through Q1 of 2027 by only earning 25,000 Loyalty Points in four months could be even better.
If you have a business email and can get approved, this promo could be worth taking a shot at, both for folks who only want status for a short period and for those who are actually looking for another airline to call home.
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This is interesting but turned into a waste of time for me! I used my company account. I have Premier 1k and travel regularly on united. “Your request is not valid based on the email domain” Guess I still wont be on any AA flights any time soon…
Was your email domain @united.com?
I’m having same issue. Using my business email and getting same message that my work email domain not valid. I’m a small business owner with a registered business domain.
Any known solutions? Maybe I’ll call in tomorrow.