Virgin America Elevate now offers an elite status match program where, until April 30, 2013, members of United Airlines MileagePlus and American Airlines AAdvantage can request a status match to Virgin America’s Elevate Gold and Silver status. You can read more about the status match at http://www.virginamerica.com/statusmatch and can expect your match to go through within a week to 14 days after submitting your application. You’ll need a copy or screenshot of your most recent mileage summary from AAdvantage or MileagePlus, showing your name and current elite level; or, a copy of your membership card that identifies your name and current elite level.

Elevate Silver will be matched to United Premier Silver and Gold or American AAdvantage Gold and Platinum. Elevate Gold will be matched to United Premier 1K and Platinum or American AAdvantage Executive Platinum.

Approved members will receive their new Elevate status through to April 30, 2013, and will have an opportunity to retain their status through the end of 2013 by earning sufficient status points by flying Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

Bottom line: Members who receive the status match will be offered most of the benefits of current Elevate Silver and Gold members, but not all. For example, matched members will not receive a 25 percent off personal discount code. All matched members can take a faster track to keeping the status by signing up for the Virgin America Visa Signature Card.