New British Airways Status Match (Challenge)

New British Airways Status Match (Challenge)

I don’t know if I want to call this a match or a challenge. Historically a match gives you a year of status and a challenge is much shorter, like 3 months and you need X activity by then to keep the status. 

This one lets you keep the status for 6 months before you need to qualify with 2 transatlantic round trips during that time. So even if you know you won’t fly that, if you have high status with say Delta or United, you can enjoy some nice alliance perks for 6 months. 

This is for US and Canada residents so it is relevant to about 95% of MilesTalkers.

Let’s take a look at the matching table and general terms:

What Matches to What

Airline	Equivalent to Silver Tier	Equivalent to Gold Tier
Delta	Gold	Platinum
Air Canada	50K	75K and Super Elite
Lufthansa	Senator	Hon Circle
United Airlines	Premier Gold	Premier Platinum, Premier 1k
Air France / KLM	Gold	Platinum
Scandinavian Airlines	Gold	Diamond, Pandion
Virgin Atlantic	Silver	Gold

 

This works well for me – I’ll match my Delta Platinum to BA Gold which will be my first time ever having status with BA. It would be funny if I later come back to say I took two transatlantic flights and qualified but realistically, that won’t happen. 

How to upgrade

From BA’s website:

“To take part all you need to do is:

1. Join the Executive Club for free, if you’re not already a Member
2. Apply online by 7 May 2024 using the link below
3. Upload proof of your status in a Frequent Flyer programme with one of our selected airlines
4. We’ll review your application to check you’re eligible for tier match – this usually takes five business days
5. Once approved, you’ll receive an acceptance email and an upgraded digital Membership card

You’ll now be able to enjoy six months of Silver or Gold Membership.”

BA Gold would confer oneworld Emerald status which would give you access to First Class and Business Class oneworld lounges.

Gold Benefits (oneworld Emerald)

• Earn and redeem miles on all oneworld member airlines
• Earn Tier Points on all oneworld airlines
• Access to Business Class priority check-in
• Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating
• Priority on waitlists and when on standby
• Access to Business Class lounges
• Priority boarding
• Extra baggage allowance*
• Fast track at security lanes
• Access to First Class priority check-in
• Access to First Class lounges

Silver Benefits (oneworld Sapphire):

Earn and redeem miles on all oneworld member airlines

Earn Tier Points on all oneworld airlines

Access to Business Class priority check-in

Access to preferred or pre-reserved seating

Priority on waitlists and when on standby

Access to Business Class lounges

Priority boarding

Extra baggage allowance*

Link to Apply for the British Airways Status Match Challenge

Right here.

Keeping the Status Beyond 6 Months

Again, from BA:

“All you have to do is book and travel on two qualifying transatlantic flights within six months of the date we upgrade you.

To qualify, these flights must:

• Be a British Airways-marketed flight in business (Club World) or First
• Be operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia or Finnair
• Originate from the US, Canada or Mexico
• Be eligible for earning Tier Points and collecting Avios

Once you’ve returned from your trip, we’ll extend your upgraded membership to the end of your next membership year.

If you don’t meet the required conditions within six months of us awarding you upgraded status, you’ll be downgraded to the Tier that matches the number of Tier Points you’ve earned in this period.”

Terms and Conditions

Rather than paste that all in here, I suggest heading to the overall BA status challenge page for all the fine print. 

HT to MilesTalk group mod AR for letting me know about this.

Thoughts?

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