In mid-September, Travis wrote about how Copa Airlines was offering status matches all the way to their Platinum tier, which gets you Star Alliance Gold status.
This was an easy way for United flyers to get United Club access when traveling domestically, given that Star Alliance Gold status with any airline other than United gets you lounge access on all Star Alliance itineraries.
While I’m a oneworld guy nowadays, I status matched to Copa ConnectMiles Platinum as well.
I do fly Lufthansa a fair amount, and that will get me access to their Star Gold lounges (specifically, the Senator Lounges), along with priority boarding, check-in, seating, etc.
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt
Not surprisingly, tons of people were status matching, given that Copa was matching people with status in most major programs. And with status valid through early 2017, it was a great opportunity to pick up Star Alliance Gold status for 16+ months.
Anyway, as of last week, it looks like Copa is no longer status matching for the time being. They’re sending those interested in a status match the following email:
Greetings on behalf of ConnectMiles.
We are developing a new product to assign PreferMember status in ConnectMiles.
Please contact us at the end of the year in order review your request.
We appreciate your interest in our loyalty program.
This is hardly surprising, given that they ultimately have to pay when their members access lounges using their elite cards. I’m curious to see what “new product” they’re coming up with. My guess is that they’ll offer some sort of a status challenge rather than status match, whereby you have to fly a certain amount within 90 days in order to keep your status.
If you are still looking for a Star Alliance status match, Avianca Brazil is offering matches to Star Alliance Gold (basic Portuguese/Google Translate skills required). See my previous post for details on how that works.
Bottom line
It’s hardly surprising that this offer got “suspended.” It was a generous offer, and I know many were able to take advantage of it. I’m curious to see what the new “offer” looks like when it returns.
(Tip of the hat to Point Me to the Plane)
Copa seems to have restarted the status match program. They just matched me to ConnectMiles Platinum based on my UA MileagePlus Platinum status. I also have the 3 regional upgrade certificates in my account when I checked on the web site.
I emailed them on Oct 23 and received confirmation today matching me to Gold (currently UA Gold so equivalent.) So could be YMMV for now?
Emailed them on the 22nd September, haven't heard back at all.
Email sent Oct 15 - Status matched Oct 22. AA Plat to *A Gold.
Applied for a match with AA EXP on 16th Oct, matched on 20th Oct - for reference.
TK will still match a OWE or ST equivalent to *G. The copa offer was unusual in that it was matching within the same alliance.
Probably a good thing given how poorly they did their match. They matched me to Pres Platinum, but later downgraded to Gold and only shipped a Gold card - no explanation/apology.