ITA Airways is offering a generous status match, including expired elite status
A new status match opportunity offers SkyPriority benefits on SkyTeam alliance flights like those operated by Delta Air Lines, and, in a unique twist, you can even match your expired status.
Italy-based carrier ITA Airways, which took over operations from former Italian national carrier Alitalia, is offering a status match to elite status members on two dozen airlines, including American Airlines.
You have until Aug. 19 to submit a request for ITA Airways to recognize the same elite status in its Volare frequent flyer program that you enjoy on another eligible airline. Processing times can take up to 60 days.
What is ITA Airways?
ITA Airways is owned by the Italian government and is based in Rome. It began service after replacing Alitalia, which had been in bankruptcy since 2017 and was later nationalized by the Italian government early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, and it announced codeshare agreements with several major international airlines, including Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.
ITA Airways operates direct flights between Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Dulles International Airport (IAD), Miami International Airport (MIA) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It also has an extensive short-haul network across Europe.
Related: A review of ITA Airways business class on the A330neo from Rome
What is ITA Airways' status match?
ITA Airways has invited elite status members of 19 other airlines to apply for a status match in its frequent flyer program, Volare. The eligibility applies to elite-status members of SkyTeam and non-SkyTeam partners, including programs popular in the U.S. like American AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club and Emirates Skywards. You can view the full list of eligible programs here.
This status match promotion requires elite members to first sign up for Volare membership and complete a status match request form, which involves uploading proof of their status on another airline. You will not be eligible for this status match if you have previously requested a Volare status match, as the program has offered status matches in the past.
What makes this status match even more generous is that while you would normally need to hold current elite status to be considered for a match to another program, ITA's Volare program will match expired statuses provided they expired no earlier than January 2023.
So even if your elite status expired 18 months ago, you could still match that status to ITA Volare.
If approved, the status will be valid through Dec. 31, 2025, and matched members will receive 10,000 Volare status qualifying points toward renewing or upgrading their status beyond that date.
Related: Current airline elite status match and challenge options
ITA’s elite levels
ITA has four levels within its Volare frequent flyer program, although the initial Club Smart is just entry-level (where everybody starts when they join). The Club Plus level is where SkyPriority benefits through SkyTeam begin to kick in. Members of Club Plus get priority boarding and baggage delivery, additional baggage allowance and check-in privileges at airport business-class counters.
Above Club Plus is Club Premium, and then Club Executive, where lounge access comes in. Each of these two levels is SkyTeam Elite Plus.
Depending on your status with an eligible program, ITA will match up to top-tier Club Executive status in the Volare program; for example, for American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and Concierge Key elite members.
SkyTeam elite status benefits
A big reason this status match initiative will be intriguing for customers of other airlines, especially in the U.S., is the opportunity to use the status match at ITA Airways to gain SkyTeam elite status. As a reminder, SkyTeam has two status levels: SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus.
Related: Best websites for searching SkyTeam award availability
SkyTeam’s website says that once a flyer earns elite status in one member airline’s program, you become a SkyTeam Elite member, recognized across all 20 carriers in the alliance. That makes this initiative a unique opportunity for elite members of other airlines’ frequent flyer programs to gain elite benefits when flying on SkyTeam flights, including Delta.
SkyTeam Elite Plus status (Volare Club Premium and Club Executive) offers the following perks:
- Guaranteed full-fare Y-class reservation on sold-out long-haul flights at least 24 hours before departure
- Access to airport lounges worldwide, whatever the class of travel, for members with a boarding pass, plus a guest
- Priority baggage handling on arrival, whatever the class of travel
- Extra baggage allowance
ITA Airways operates its lounges in Rome and Milan Linate Airport (LIN). Additionally, ITA’s website specifies the airport lounges that its members can access, including multiple Delta and Air France lounges in the U.S. and Europe. Generally, SkyTeam first-class, business-class and Elite Plus members traveling internationally have lounge access if they’re flying with an airline member of the alliance.
Lufthansa Group is set to acquire ITA Airways later this year. The airline will join Lufthansa's Miles & More loyalty program and, per the news release, transition from SkyTeam to Star Alliance. With the status match valid until December 2025, it's unknown at this time if the SkyTeam status will be converted to Star Alliance elite status.
Bottom line
This is a very generous status match offer from ITA Airways, though the list of programs you can match from excludes some heavy hitters like Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus.
A status match lasting around 18 months, including matching statuses that expired any time after Dec. 31, 2022, is a great opportunity for elite status in a SkyTeam program with little effort required.
This status match opportunity is available through Aug. 19 only, so don't delay if you want to take advantage of it.
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| 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. |
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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
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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.