Flyers should contact an airline to inquire about a challenge and any unpublished offers. The sign-up process is simple, requiring only proof of existing elite status. Those at large employers may also try their corporate travel departments to see if they can arrange a match or challenge.

Typically a challenge is offered only to an elite status comparable to one already held and requires a certain minimum number of flown miles or segments during a 90-day time frame. Elite status may be granted during the challenge period; however, certain benefits, such as upgrade certificates, require meeting the full, standard annual elite requirements.

Strategy is key since a challenge, whether or not successful, may be allowed only every five years. Many flyers time their challenge to be completed after July 1 since that may grant status through the entire following year in addition to the current year. Watch out for exclusions such as codeshares and partner flights that can derail a challenge.

A case in point is my 2013 United Premier 1K challenge from my Delta Diamond status. I had to complete 35,000 Premier Qualifying Miles within 90 days so I aligned it with confirmed business travel to Asia. I avoided a big mistake by not booking a Chicago–Tokyo flight that was a codeshare operated by ANA and therefore not eligible for the challenge. I instead flew through Denver on United. I completed the challenge in September, which granted me status through February 2015. Even if I did not fly United again, I could enjoy more than a year of Star Alliance Gold benefits on United’s Star Alliance partners.

With careful planning, a successful match challenge is a great way to jump-start a new airline relationship. Like any relationship, however, there are no guarantees that it will be better than the prior.