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Receive Admirals Club lounge access with generous new British Airways status match for US travelers

April 09, 2024
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3 min read
American Airlines Admirals Club Chicago O'Hare
Receive Admirals Club lounge access with generous new British Airways status match for US travelers
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British Airways is offering a generous limited-time status match offer for U.S.-based members of its loyalty program, British Airways Executive Club.

As of Tuesday morning, elite members of eight airline programs can obtain reciprocal status with the equivalent British Airways Executive Club status at no extra cost, the airline confirmed to TPG.

Specifically, U.S.-based members holding the following status levels will be able to match to British Airways' Executive Club Silver status:

  • Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion
  • Air Canada Aeroplan 50K
  • Lufthansa Miles&More Senator
  • United MileagePlus Premier Gold
  • Air France-KLM Flying Blue Gold
  • Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus Gold
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver

Additionally, U.S.-based members holding the following status levels will be able to match to British Airways' top-tier Executive Club Gold status:

  • Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
  • Air Canada Aeroplan 75K and Super Elite
  • Lufthansa Miles & More Hon Circle
  • United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K
  • Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum
  • Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus Diamond and Pandion
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold
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Note that this offer is only valid for new and existing British Airways Executive Club members who hold membership in one of the programs above with corresponding status. To participate in this status match, customers must apply online and provide valid proof of eligible frequent flyer status.

Once approved, applicants will be upgraded to the matched tier for six months. You can extend this period for up to a year by booking two eligible flights or one return flight, per the terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligible flights include BA-marketed business- or first-class flights originating in North America, Canada or Mexico and landing in Europe, Norway or Switzerland; they must be operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia or Finnair.

This offer is available through May 7.

BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

British Airways Silver status includes the following benefits when flying with British Airways or partner airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines:

  • Priority check-in and boarding
  • Status freeze for maternity/paternity/adoption leave
  • Free seat selection at the time of booking
  • 50% bonus Avios when flying with British Airways, Iberia, American Airlines and Japan Airlines
  • Additional baggage allowance (two 70-pound bags in economy)
  • Business-class lounge access when flying British Airways and partner airlines (with one guest), including Admirals Club lounge access when flying domestically with American Airlines or Alaska Airlines — a key benefit over American Airlines AAdvantage status

Gold status includes all of the Silver benefits, plus:

  • 100% bonus Avios when flying with British Airways, Iberia, American Airlines and Japan Airlines
  • An additional free checked bag in any class and a weight allowance of 70 pounds per bag (applicable to everyone on your booking)
  • First-class check-in desk and lounge access when flying British Airways and Oneworld airlines (lounge access includes one guest)
  • Use of British Airways arrivals lounges after a long-haul flight (no guests)
  • Additional reward availability in economy

Bottom line

This generous offer from British Airways is worth considering, especially if you ever fly American Airlines. You will receive lounge access and other priority perks when flying domestically or internationally. While other status matches only apply for three months, this offer lasts six months; an extension is available with one return trip to Europe in business or first class.

If you wish to match your existing status to British Airways, you can apply here before May 7.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.