Status Match: Buy Etihad Gold Status For $99

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

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?