United Airlines targets top Delta and American flyers with aggressive status-match push

United Airlines (UAL) is said to be taking aim at rival carriers with an aggressive status-match campaign, offering elite Delta Air Lines (DAL) and American Airlines (AAL) frequent flyers comparable benefits to switch their loyalty to United.

Here’s how it works: Travelers with any tier of elite status on Delta or American will be granted United status for 90 days. To keep it through Jan. 31, 2028, they’ll have to take a flight and spend a certain amount on United mainline or regional flights within those 90 days.

If a traveler has the lowest level Delta Medallion status, silver, or the same on American, which is gold, they would have to spend $1,500 on United in the roughly three months. To get a status match of United’s 1K, its highest level before invitation-only Global Services, the person would have to spend $7,000.

Delta and American have their status matches for a host of other airlines, but United’s call-out of rivals and social media campaign shows how heated the battle for big-spending customers has become, Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel consulting firm Atmosphere Research Group, told CNBC.

“This is war, airline style,” he said. “It’s very rare for an airline to be as blatant as United is being” with Delta and American.

“We consistently offer status pass promotions,” an American spokeswoman said, according to the report, pointing to a current offer that allows status holders on Southwest Airlines (LUV), JetBlue Airways (JBLU), Delta, and United to be matched on American’s AAdvantage tiered system for four months or longer if they meet certain spending goals.