Many airlines offer elite status matches to tempt valuable flyers away from competitors, and Alaska Airlines is no exception. Alaska offers a standing elite status match — meaning there's no stated end date and you can apply whenever you want.

If you're considering an Alaska status match, there are several important factors to consider before doing so — from timing your request to Alaska's once-per-lifetime rule. Here's an overview of eight things to know before you request an Alaska status match.

1. You can only status match to Alaska from certain airlines

Flyers can only complete an Alaska status match from nine airlines based in North America:

Aeromexico.

Air Canada.

American Airlines.

Delta Air Lines.

Frontier Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines.

JetBlue Airways.

Southwest Airlines.

United Airlines.

So if you have, say, British Airways Executive Club elite status — you're out of luck.

2. Only earned elite status can be status matched to Alaska

Alaska status match terms and conditions state that airline elite status must have been earned "through actual flight miles or segments in another program" to be eligible. Alaska specifically excludes status "granted based on credit card activity, transferred points or any other promotional offer."

Presumably, Alaska will let you status match from a program if you partially earned elite status through credit card activity. After all, American Airlines AAdvantage recently intertwined credit card spending into earning elite status. And flyers can earn Delta Medallion Qualifying Dollars and United Premier Qualifying Points through spending on eligible credit cards.

However, this restriction means that you probably won't be able to leverage United Premier Silver status earned via Marriott Titanium Elite status to score Alaska MVP status.

3. You can't status match to Alaska MVP Gold 100K status

Alaska introduced a new top-tier elite status level in January 2022: MVP Gold 100K. This elite status level is designed to compete with American Executive Platinum, Delta Diamond Medallion and United Premier 1K. However, you currently can't status match to Alaska MVP Gold 100K.

Instead, you'll receive MVP Gold 75K elite status when matching from any of these three competitor top-tier elite status levels.

4. You'll only get temporary Alaska elite status for 90 days

An Alaska status match grants you Mileage Plan elite status for an initial period of 90 days after your status match is approved. Alaska status matches can take up to four weeks to verify and approve.