Want to fly Virgin America as an elite member of the airline’s Elevate program? If you’ve already earned elite status with American, Delta, Southwest, or United, Virgin America will match that status, for three months.

The Elevate status level awarded will depend on the applicant’s status with the other program: Silver for lower-level status with another carrier, and Gold for higher-level status.

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The complimentary three months of elite status may be extended through the end of 2017 by meeting the following earning targets during the three-month challenge period:

• Elevate Silver – Earn 5,000 qualifying points (3,000 for holders of the Virgin America Visa card)
• Elevate Gold – Earn 12,000 qualifying points (8,000 for holders of the Virgin America Visa card)

Normally, Silver status requires 20,000 qualifying points, and Gold requires 50,000.

So, what do you get with elite status on Virgin America? The key benefits, as with elite status on any airline, are travel perks: better seating, including complimentary upgrades to Main Cabin Select; priority check-in, boarding, and security clearance; and free checked bags (one for Silver members, three for Gold).

To have their status matched, travelers must send an email to Virgin America with their names, Elevate membership numbers, and screenshots of a recent account statement showing their elite status with another airline. For most, that will take five minutes, maybe less. Not a bad investment, if it means a more comfortable seat and a less stressful airport experience.

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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and almost that long writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.

This article first appeared on SmarterTravel.com, where Tim is Editor-at-Large.