(EXPIRED) Delta Air Lines offers Gold and Platinum Medallion status to Southwest elites

Yet another competitor is looking lustily at potentially erstwhile Southwest elites. Delta Air Lines has followed AA‘s example and modified its Medallion Status Match Challenge to give higher status matches to Southwest customers for a limited time.

Previously, Southwest A-list and A-list Preferred members could only be matched to Delta Silver and Gold, respectively. Until the end of September, they will be matched one level higher, meaning that A-List Preferred will receive Delta Platinum Medallion status.

Status will be given temporarily for 90 days. However, unlike AA’s Instant Status Pass, which essentially requires you to requalify every four months, Delta gives you status all the way through the end of January 2027 if you meet the terms of the offer.

The Deal

• For a limited time, Southwest elite members can receive a higher instant status match to Delta Air Lines:
  • A-List members will be matched to Gold Medallion status instead of Silver
  • A-List Preferred members will be matched to Platinum Medallion status instead of Gold
  • Valid for submissions received until 9/30/25
• Once registered, the member can extend their status by earning the required amount of Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) during the 3-month complimentary period, from Delta flights:
  • Silver – $1,250 MQDs
  • Gold – $2,500 MQDs
  • Platinum – $3,750 MQDs

Direct Link to Offer

Terms and Conditions

• This limited-time offer provides a higher status match within the Status Match Challenge and is exclusive to Southwest Rapid Rewards® A-List and A-List Preferred members; offer valid on only submission requests received between March 24, 2025, and September 30, 2025. 
• To be eligible for the Delta Status Match offer, a SkyMiles Member must (a) be enrolled in the SkyMiles Program for at least 30 days prior to enrolling for the Status Match offer and (b) within the last 3 years as a SkyMiles Member, have flown on at least 1 Delta-marketed flight (with Member’s SkyMiles account number included on the reservation) on a fare class that is not Basic Economy. If your Status Match Challenge request is accepted, you may only enroll in this offer once every three (3) years.
• A SkyMiles Member who Delta determine to be qualify for and is enrolled in this offer is eligible to extend the complimentary Medallion Status received through Status Match by (1) earning the required amount of MQDs during the Match Period (defined below), and (2) flying on at least one Delta-marketed flight during the Match Period (excluding Basic Economy).
• Offer to extend complimentary Medallion Status earned through Status Match is only valid for MQDs earned within 90 days from time of account upgrade (“Match Period”) and will not include MQDs earned prior to enrollment or after the Match Period.
• Participation does not guarantee Medallion Status. Promotional, temporary, and complimentary elite status (including earned status through any promotional or status match program) on other airlines will not be eligible for this Status Match offer.
• Matched Status will expire after 90 days, unless that level or a higher level of Medallion Status is awarded prior to that date. During the Match Period, you will not have access to Choice Benefits unless you earn Platinum or Diamond Medallion Status through the published requirements at delta.com. 
• This offer is not available to Members who were previously enrolled at any time since January 1, 2022, or who are currently enrolled, in: a Status Match Challenge; Reclaim My Status, or Corporate accelerated Medallion Status offer.
• If required MQDs are earned during the Match Period, Medallion Status earned will be awarded through January 31, 2027.

Delta elite benefits

Quick Thoughts

Thankfully, Delta’s status match challenge is much more straightforward than AA’s. It gives you three months of Delta Medallion status plus the ability to earn a full year of status with fewer Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) than normally required.

To extend your matched status past three months, you must earn the following numbers of MQDs during the three month trial period:

IF you meet the challenge requirements, your status will be good for the rest of this calendar year, all of 2026 and through January of 2027, effectively giving you two full years of status.

During the challenge, Southwest elites will enjoy a meaningful status to fly with while they’re trying qualify. Both Gold and Platinum offer complimentary first class upgrades (good luck with that on most flights), upgrades to Comfort Plus seating, free checked bags and waived same-day confirmed or standby change fees.

This promo could be worth taking a bite at, both for folks who only want status for a short period and for those who actually are looking for another airline to call home. It will require some organization, though, and it’s worth waiting to register until you know that you either take advantage of the benefits or earn enough MQDs to extend your status.

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