Oneworld status match opportunity available for 20-plus loyalty programs — but is it worth it?
Editor's Note
Elite status matches are a unique opportunity to extend the value of your existing frequent flyer benefits to other programs. Currently, Royal Air Maroc is offering the chance to earn Silver, Gold or Platinum status to elite status holders in a wide variety of loyalty programs — for a cost.
Royal Air Maroc is part of the Oneworld alliance, providing partner benefits with dozens of airlines. By qualifying for Royal Maroc Gold, you’ll also earn Oneworld Sapphire status, meaning you can access Alaska Airlines lounges, American Airlines Admirals Clubs and even AA’s premium Flagship Lounges, among other valuable airline benefits.
Here's what you need to know about this new option — including whether or not it's worth it.
Overview of Royal Air Maroc status match
Under the terms of this offer, eligible travelers with existing elite status from select airlines can match to any of Royal Air Maroc's three status tiers. However, there are one-time application costs for each:
- Silver: $150
- Gold: $450
- Platinum: $1,000 for Lite; $1,500 for Standard (note that this is limited to top-tier elites with certain non-U.S. airlines)
If you qualify, you’ll get elite status benefits through June 30, 2024.
The most appealing option here is likely Safar Flyer Gold, which grants you Oneworld Sapphire status. However, that's a steep price to pay for just six months of perks.
I took advantage of this promotion when it was last offered in spring 2022 — and got a full year of status for only 49 euros ($54) when I successfully status-matched from Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold.
This time around, the price is over eight times higher, and you get status for half the time.
You can extend your status for another six months through Dec. 31, 2024, by either taking one flight with Royal Air Maroc and earning at least one status mile or, alternatively, having at least one future Royal Air Maroc booking linked to your Safar Flyer account, both by June 30, 2024.
How to status match with Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
First, you’ll want to review your eligibility. There are 20-plus loyalty programs that qualify for a status match to Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer, including Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus (but not Oneworld programs like American AAdvantage and Alaska Mileage Plan):
- Air Canada Aeroplan
- Air Europa SUMA
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Delta SkyMiles
- Egyptair Plus
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Gulf Air Falconflyer
- Lufthansa Miles & More
- Saudia Alfursan
- TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- United Airlines MileagePlus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- WestJet Rewards
Most hotel elite status levels, even lower-tier Silver status with Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards Silver, match to Safar Flyer Silver for a $150 fee.
You’ll need to sign up for the Safar Flyer loyalty program for free through this link. Upon registering, you’ll receive a frequent flyer number that you’ll need handy to begin the status match process.
Then, you’ll need to apply for a status match, when you’ll provide your first name, last name, email address and Safar Flyer number. It can take up to five business days for your loyalty status privileges to hit your Safar Flyer account.
Read the full terms and conditions to see which status levels are eligible. The carrier may also pull this offer at any time.
What do Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer benefits get you?
Here’s a comparison of what the Silver versus Gold tier gets you in the Safar Flyer loyalty program:
| Silver | Gold |
|---|---|
|
|
Without a doubt, if you carry elite status in a program that can match you to the Gold level, the most valuable benefit is the business-class lounge access when flying a Oneworld carrier — even when flying domestically with American Airlines or Alaska Airlines.
Is it worth it?
This new offer comes with a hefty price tag, especially if you're looking to unlock Oneworld Sapphire status. That said, if you have some upcoming domestic flights on American or Alaska and otherwise have no way to access these carriers' lounges or enjoy free checked bags, you may want to consider it.
However, to use any perks of your matched status, you must have your Royal Air Maroc number on your reservation — which means you'd forgo the opportunity to earn miles with another carrier (like Alaska, American or British Airways).
Crunch the numbers and make sure you can get enough value from Safar Flyer status in the first half of 2024 to justify the cost.
Bottom line
The ability to status match up to Royal Air Maroc Gold (and Oneworld Sapphire) is an attractive opportunity, especially if you value lounge access.
However, this time around, it comes at a high cost and is only valid for six months. Due to the value proposition, I'll be passing on this one, even though members like me who have taken advantage of a previous Royal Air Maroc status match promotion are eligible again for this one.
I'd only recommend paying the $450 fee if you have a lot of American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or other Oneworld carrier flights booked for the first half of 2024.
Related: 5 things I'd tell my younger self about airline status
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.