Etihad in partnership with Loyalty Status Co is running a status match of sorts but unlike a regular match, you’ll need to fork out US$59 for a Silver Status match or US$99 for Gold…
The promotion is currently open to residents of Australia and India, however, the airline programs eligible for the match are much more international and include:
- AirAsia BIG Loyalty
- Air Astana Nomad Club
- Air India Express NeuPass
- Air India Flying Returns
- British Airways Executive Club
- Cathay Pacific Cathay
- Emirates Skywards
- Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- Korean Air Skypass
- Lufthansa Miles & More
- Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Royal Brunei Royal Skies
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- Vistara Club Vistara
In this post:
How does the status match/buy work?
If you meet the eligibility to buy Etihad status, you will retain it for the next 3 months unless you take at least 1 paid flight which will then extend your status a further 12 months.
You can apply for your status match here: https://etihad.statusmatch.com/
What are the benefits of Etihad Silver & Gold Status?
Etihad Guest Silver Status
- Bonus Miles: Earn 25% bonus Etihad Guest Miles on Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air Serbia flights.
- Guaranteed Economy Seat: Book 48 hours in advance.
- Priority Check-In: Access priority check-in counters in the economy hall at Abu Dhabi airport and business check-in counters at other airports.
- Seat Reservation: Reserve select Economy seats in Forward, Middle, or Rear zones for free (member only).
- Extra Legroom Seat Discount: 30% off on extra legroom seats.
- Onboard Wi-Fi Discount: Free Chat service.
- Complimentary Excess Baggage Allowance (Weight Concept Routes): All cabins: 10 kgs.
- Complimentary Excess Baggage Allowance (Piece Concept Routes for flights to/from Canada and the US):Economy baggage: 1 Pc @ 23kgs. Business and First baggage: 1 Pc @ 32kgs.
- Paid Excess Baggage Allowance Discount: 7% discount on additional extra baggage allowance.
Etihad Guest Gold Status
- Bonus Miles: Earn 50% bonus Etihad Guest Miles on selected partner airlines.
- Guaranteed Economy Seat: Book 24 hours in advance.
- Guaranteed Business Seat: Book 48 hours in advance.
- Priority Check-In: Access premium business check-in counters at any airport, including Abu Dhabi airport.
- Fast Track Immigration and Baggage.
- Priority Boarding.
- Chauffeur service – Business and First redemption seats but only one way in the UAE
- Seat Reservation: One free seat in Economy Forward, Middle, or Rear zones. 50% off on extra legroom seats for up to two guests.
- Onboard Wi-Fi Discount: Free Chat & 25% discount on Surf.
- Premium Check-In with Partner Airlines (including Virgin Australia).
- Lounge Access: Business Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport (self only).
- Worldwide Premium Lounge access (self + guest).
- Complimentary Excess Baggage Allowance (Weight Concept Routes): All cabins: 15 kgs.
- Complimentary Excess Baggage Allowance (Piece Concept Routes for flights to/from Canada and the US): Economy baggage: 1 Pc @ 23kgs. Business and First baggage: 1 Pc @ 32kgs.
- Paid Excess Baggage Allowance Discount: 10% discount on additional extra baggage allowance.
- Additional Benefits: Avis Budget Tier Match.
- Exclusive Premium Twitter offers.
Is this a deal?
Considering Etihad Guest status has limited utility in Australia, I’m personally passing on the opportunity to become Gold. Matching my Qatar Airways Platinum to Etihad Guest Gold for US$99 seems a bit rich when I already receive reciprocal benefits as Velocity Platinum. (Soon to be Gold…) and while I do plan to fly a paid Etihad flight this year, I would much rather credit that to Velocity Frequent Flyer.
If there was an option to fast-track to Etihad Platinum, I’d consider it… even for a higher “application fee”. Gold and Silver… meh.
Do let me know what you think. Will you be matching your status to Etihad?
I won’t be flying with EY in the next three months, however I would consider partaking in this status match if I could easily ‘on-match’ to Star Alliance Gold for 12 months. Do you know if this is possible Immanuel?
Cheers
Matt
I believe Turkish Airlines does match to EY Gold so that could be a route you can take!