Vietnam Airlines Status Match Opportunity: Unlock SkyTeam Perks

Vietnam Airlines, a SkyTeam member airline, is currently offering a status match opportunity. While this has been around for some time, there’s an update, as the airline is now also matching hotel status.

This could be a worthwhile option for unlocking SkyTeam elite status perks. However, let me note that there are geographic restrictions, and this is also a paid offer. Let’s cover all the details.

Basics of Vietnam Airlines’ status match promo

The website statusmatch.com is partnering with Vietnam Airlines’ Lotusmiles program to offer a status match promotion. Vietnam Airlines is a SkyTeam member, and this could be valuable even if you don’t typically fly with the airline. A few basics to be aware of, to start:

• Vietnam Airlines is matching to Lotusmiles Titanium status (SkyTeam Elite) at a cost of $59-99, to Lotusmiles Gold status (SkyTeam Elite) at a cost of $199, or to Lotusmiles Platinum status (SkyTeam Elite Plus) at a cost of $299
• The status match request should take just a minute to complete, though it can take up to five business days for the request to be approved
• There’s no published end date for this promotion, though it can be pulled at any time
• Matched status is valid for a period of 12 months from when the match is approved
• Status matches are available from nearly 50 different frequent flyer programs and seven different hotel loyalty programs, and you can find the full list of eligible programs here; note that hotel status matches can’t get you top tier status, though
• This promotion is only valid for those who reside in the following countries (and you must have ID documents, like a passport or driver’s license): Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Norway, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA

Is this Vietnam Airlines status match worth it?

Obviously this promotion could be useful if you’re someone who has a lot of travel on Vietnam Airlines coming up. If you’re curious about Lotusmiles elite perks, you can find them on this page. The elite perks aren’t anything to get too excited about.

This is primarily a way to get priority services, like business class check-in, lounge access, and boarding, plus an additional baggage allowance. Vietnam Airlines doesn’t offer elite upgrade perks, or any other benefits that are overly exciting or generous.

Perhaps the biggest upside here is that Lotusmiles Platinum status would unlock SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which offers priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, extra baggage, lounge access, and much more, when flying with any SkyTeam airline.

Just keep in mind that SkyTeam Elite Plus has some restrictions around lounge access, and you only get domestic lounge access in select regions (so this wouldn’t be a way to get Delta lounge access when traveling domestically within the United States).

So I wouldn’t say this is the most exciting status match opportunity we’ve seen, but maybe it’s worthwhile for some. The question just comes down to whether you value SkyTeam Elite Plus status for a year at $299 or more.

If you are going for a SkyTeam status match, personally I’d consider the Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match that’s available. However, that has more geographic restrictions (mainly restricted to Europe), which is why the Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles offer will be better for some.

Bottom line

There’s a status match promotion with Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles, which can earn you SkyTeam Elite Plus perks. There’s an application fee of up to $299, which is steep. So I don’t think this offer is a no-brainer, or anything, but if you do have status with SkyTeam, this could be worth considering.

Do you plan on taking advantage of this Vietnam Airlines status match opportunity?