Delta Wants to Poach Southwest Flyers With Status Match Offer

Delta Air Lines is offering a status match to disaffected Southwest Airlines travelers after the Dallas-based company scrapped its popular “two bags fly free” policy. 

The offer is available until September 30 and allows Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred members to reach a higher status on Delta’s SkyMiles program. 

A-List members can receive Delta’s Gold Medallion status upon approval, and A-List Preferred members can receive Delta’s Platinum Medallion status. 

Southwest axing its popular bag fee policy isn’t the only controversial change. The carrier also announced that it would add nonrefundable basic economy fares, replacing its “Wanna Get Away” fare, which allowed for free changes and same-day standby tickets. 

Airlines have been looking to capitalize on the changes at Southwest. 

Delta president Glen Hauenstein said during the JPMorgan industrials conference this month that Southwest’s customers are “up for grabs.”

Frontier Airlines released a promo that gives customers free checked bags for flights taking place from May 28 to August 18. The ultra-low-cost carrier said if the deal is popular enough, it would consider making the promo permanent. 

“Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we’re running towards it,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement. “Think of this as the ultimate ‘divorce your old airline’ deal. If travelers show us the love, we’ll make these perks permanent.”

American Airlines also offered a status match to Southwest customers. 

Speaking at the Wings Club in New York on Thursday, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said the carrier was ready to compete with Southwest for customers in California and Hawaii, two major markets for the airlines. 

“This is a hugely competitive industry, and what we try to do is build our business model that can succeed against those tough airlines,” he said at the event.