A status match is where one airline decides to lure another airline’s frequent flyers by matching their elite tier level. Some people are dab hands at this, using any unexpectedly interesting combination to maximise their benefits.
Historically, I haven’t been one to really care about such things. I’ve always been a believer in earning your status with your bum in the seat, the way it was meant to be. Of course, circumstances change and with a looming downgrade coming, I decided to take the plunge.
Status Matches
Back in August 2024, I took advantage of matches to ITA’s Volare programme and to SAS EuroBonus. Volare was always going to be pretty useless, as the Italian airline is going to join Lufthansa’s Mile’s and More scheme. Whether any status will transfer across is probably moot at this point as mine runs out in January 2026.
Unexpectedly Keeping Status
A couple of days ago, I unexpectedly received an e-mail from SAS titled, “For our Gold Members”. I figured it was a mistake, as sometimes organisations seem to have e-mail systems that lag behind the reality of account statuses.
Overall Thoughts
Cancelling the flights meant I received some money back, so in the end it seems the status with SAS cost a grand total of €125.00. As I’ll have it for well over another year, I really should start looking at booking some flights with SkyTeam.
Unexpectedly keeping SAS status was not on my bingo card for this year. Since it comes with lounge access and all the usual perks, I’ll have to make sure I factor that in for any upcoming reservations.
Have you ever got to keep status when you didn’t expect to? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Nice surprise. As a blogger you probably can get some good content out of a visit to the AMS or CDG lounges
Post-Covid I’ve had little luck. I did get a status match from American Executive Platinum to ITA Executive last year but that status will die at the end of this year and since ITA is currently alliance unaffiliated, outside of a rather nice luggage tag I won’t have anything to show for my match. I had rather hoped to regain Star Alliance Gold but it seems that’s not in the cards.
Yes, context is important – if I wrote two lines, a lot of people would have no idea what I was talking about. Good to know that this happened for everyone, great news!
Writing a long story for what can be told in two sentences… yes, they did not downgrade people with a status matched who did not fly any SK flight.