Airline Status Match Reality: A Tale of Frustration and Limited Options
ASMR for me has nothing to do with the sound of someone crunching a mid-flight Air France crouton. No, it’s all about the airline status match reality I’m currently facing. Prepare your small violins for this one.
In my last post, I mentioned about how Emirates was quite open to the idea of a status match, as long as you had some Emirates flights booked. Truthfully, I find that quite reasonable. At least it would show that you have some desire to actually fly with them.
And overall, they’re one of the few carriers with which I’ve had overall decent flights. Useless baggage claim staff at Dubai DXB, and depending on the aircraft, sometimes there’s a rubbish seat configuration up front, but the in-flight entertainment is vast, and the planes generally land. Fine.
Hopping west across the pond, let’s briefly mention a very different airline. Last year, my airline status match reality reached its apex with Spirit. That’s right, the United States’ aviation analog to a punching bag. (Shouldn’t it be JetBlue?) They cooked up a status match challenge. In other words, earn a certain amount of status qualifying points, then that 3-months of gifted status will turn into much a longer period. By the way, if you are inclined to research what Spirit is up to for 2024, here’s the waitlist.
Returning to the 2024 airline status match reality, I’ve got a new L to post — SAS, aka Scandinavian Air System. But I had a hunch this one was doomed from the get-go.
Why? Later this year, they will be leaving the Star Alliance, the one it helped establish, to join SkyTeam. So long, United. さようなら, ANA. Bye, Felicia.
Nevertheless, I sent an e-mail to SAS to inquire about a status match.
The prompt response read thus:
Delta also told me to get bent, but with good reason. Apparently, I had already tried out their status match challenge within the past three years. In other words, rendered ineligible.
At this point, I just started searching for airline + status match. Maybe Independence Air has one going on. Of course not. But finally, I hit upon something with Etihad.
Hmm, can’t say I’m their biggest fan, but they’ve got a good network, and a new airport terminal in Abu Dhabi AUH. Cooking with gas, right?
Wrong. According to their Etihad Guest status match FAQ, this (paid) opportunity is only available for residents of Australia and India.
Ah, well, Guess I have to be glad to ITA Airways is still paying it forward.
Airline status matches have become increasingly popular among frequent flyers. These programs allow travelers to leverage their elite status with one airline to gain similar privileges with another carrier. For example, if you have elite status with United Airlines, you can request a status match with another airline, such as Delta or American Airlines, and enjoy benefits like priority boarding, lounge access, and upgraded seating.
However, the reality of airline status matches is not always as glamorous as it seems. As the author of this article recounts, the process can be filled with frustration and limited options. The author shares their experiences with various airlines, including Emirates, Spirit, SAS, and Etihad, and highlights the challenges they faced in trying to secure a status match.
Emirates, known for its luxurious amenities and excellent service, was open to the idea of a status match but required the traveler to have some Emirates flights booked. While this requirement may seem reasonable, it can be a hurdle for those who do not regularly fly with the airline.
On the other hand, Spirit Airlines, often criticized for its poor customer service and lackluster amenities, offered a status match challenge. The traveler had to earn a certain amount of status qualifying points within a three-month period to receive an extended status match. However, the author notes that this option may not be appealing to everyone due to Spirit’s reputation.
The author then turned to SAS, a member of the Star Alliance, for a potential status match. However, their hopes were dashed when they learned that SAS would be leaving the Star Alliance to join SkyTeam. This decision meant that any status match with SAS would have limited benefits, as the author would no longer have access to Star Alliance perks.
Lastly, the author explored the possibility of a status match with Etihad Airways. While initially hopeful due to Etihad’s extensive network and new airport terminal in Abu Dhabi, they discovered that the status match opportunity was only available to residents of Australia and India.
In conclusion, the airline status match reality can be a frustrating and limited experience. While some airlines are open to the idea of a status match, there are often requirements and limitations that can make it difficult for travelers to take advantage of these programs. As the author learned, it’s important to research and understand the specific terms and conditions of each airline’s status match program before embarking on this journey.