Virgin Atlantic expands status match offer to more loyalty programs
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is offering the frequent flyers of a long list of competing programs the chance to give its elite status a try.
If you have top-tier status in a number of airline loyalty programs, you're eligible to partake in Virgin Atlantic's latest status match. Virgin Atlantic is matching to either its Gold or Silver status, depending on the elite status you currently have.
Related: The ultimate Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide
Here's how the match works. If you have top-tier status with one of the below airlines' loyalty programs, you'll get Gold status with Flying Club, and if you have a second-tier status with one of the below airlines, you'll get matched to Flying Club Silver status. Here's the eligible list:
- Air New Zealand Airpoints: Gold and Elite Plus
- Alaska MVP: MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k
- American Airlines Advantage: Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum
- British Airways Executive Club: Silver and Gold
- Cathay Pacific Marco Polo: Gold and Platinum
- El Al Matmid: Gold and Platinum
- Emirates Skywards: Gold and Platinum
- Etihad Guest: Gold and Platinum
- Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Miles: Gold and Platinum
- Hong Kong Airlines Fortune Wings: Gold andPlatinum
- Iberia Plus: Oro and Platino
- Lufthansa Miles and More: Senator and Hon Circle
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: Gold and Platinum
- Qatar Privilege Club: Gold and Platinum
- Scandinavian Airlines Eurobonus: Gold and Diamond
- Singapore Kris Flyer: Silver and Gold
- South African Voyager: Silver, Gold, and Platinum
- Swiss Miles and More: Senator and Hon Circle
- Turkish Miles&Smiles: Elite and Elite Plus
- United Mileage Plus: Premier Platinum and Premier 1k
- Virgin Australia Velocity: Gold and Platinum
Sign up to get the daily TPG newsletter for more points and miles news!
In order to match your status to either Flying Club Gold or Silver status, you'll need to submit proof that you have current top tier or second-tier status on another airline, and already have a revenue (i.e. cash fare) flight booked with the Virgin Atlantic in any cabin for Silver, and in Premium or Upper Class only for Gold.
If you meet the criteria and are interested in giving Flying Club a test drive, here's how to register for the status match. Firstly, be sure you already have a Flying Club membership. Then, submit your status match request at this special landing page, including:
- Your applicable airline's frequent flyer program statement, showing the program, status level, and expiration date.
- Your Flying Club membership number.
- Your future Virgin Atlantic booking (you'll need to have this booked before making the status match request).
With Silver, flyers can expect to earn 30% more Virgin Points on flights, a premium check-in experience, free seat assignment in Economy Light, and more. In 2022 it requires you to earn 300 Tier Points.
With Gold status, flyers earn 60% more Virgin Points on flights, UpperClass check-in, access to Virgin's Clubhouses, extra luggage allowance, and more. In 2022 it requires you to earn 800 Tier Points.
If you're successfully matched, your status will be valid for 12 months from the date your account is upgraded (which should be within 30 days of the request to match). You'll need to earn tier points in order to retain your status past the 12 months — 800 tier points for Gold or 300 tier points for Silver.
To avoid someone matching their status, booking a revenue flight, and then canceling their booking, Virgin is reserving the right to revoke the matched status.
"Virgin Atlantic reserves the right to revoke the status match if you subsequently cancel the flight that made you eligible for the status match," the airline clarified to TPG.
Bottom line
This status match offer is both generous in terms of the long list of programs they will match with and restrictive in that to achieve the valuable and useful Gold status including access to the fabulous Virgin Clubhouses, you must have a cash fare booked in Premium or Upper Class. This will mean only those who plan to spend some serious money with Virgin can take advantage of the offer.
There's currently no end date for the status match promotion — though Virgin Flying Club reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time, so if you plan to take advantage of the offer don't delay. Get your documents ready and head to this link.
Additional reporting by Ben Smithson
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.