Here's how to get free domestic and international lounge access on American Airlines

Air Berlin, a member of the oneworld alliance and partner with American Airlines, is making a play to attract more business from U.S. travelers by offering elite status matches.

The move is similar to the one Hilton is making to try to steal hotel guests normally loyal to other brands. If you have elite status with a SkyTeam (Delta) or Star Alliance (United) airline, Air Berlin will match you to the equivalent elite status in its own program, topbonus. However, if you are already an elite with a oneworld airline like American, then you're out of luck for this offer.

You might be asking yourself why you should even want elite status with a German airline. Well, if you hold Air Berlin gold elite status or higher, you automatically get oneworld Sapphire status. This is more valuable than getting Sapphire status through American, because with American, you would only be able to enter American Airlines Admirals Clubs on international flights. However, if you have oneworld Sapphire status through airberlin, you get access to oneworld lounges including all Admirals Clubs, even when traveling domestically.

Gold status is Air Berlin's middle tier, so if you are a low-level elite with another alliance, chances are you won't be matched to Gold. But if you are Gold, Platinum or Diamond Medallion with Delta, or Gold, Platinum or 1K with United, this could be a sweet deal if you plan on flying American this year.

You would need to include your Air Berlin number in your upcoming reservations, meaning you would accrue points with Air Berlin instead of American, but it's a good tradeoff for oneworld perks like lounge access, priority boarding and free checked bags.

The process is straightforward: email the airline's service center with proof of your existing elite status and await Air Berlin's decision with fingers and toes crossed.