British Airways Executive Club has just launched a lucrative status match opportunity for those living in the United States and Canada, which makes it easy to earn oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald status (thanks to Head for Points for flagging this).
In this post:
British Airways Silver & Gold status match promotion
Thanks to a new status match promotion from British Airways Executive Club, you can unlock Silver or Gold status in the program for a period of six months, with the opportunity to extend it. To take part in this:
- You need to join the Executive Club program, if you’re not already a member
- You’ll need to apply online by May 7, 2024, at this link, by uploading proof of your eligible status with another frequent flyer program
- Your application will be reviewed within five business days, and if approved, you’ll immediately have your status upgraded
- Your status will be upgraded for a period of six months
- To extend your status through the end of the membership year, you’ll need to book and travel on one roundtrip qualifying transatlantic itinerary within six months of the date your status is upgraded
- To be eligible, the flight must be marketed by British Airways in first or business class, must be operated by British Airways, American, Iberia, or Finnair, must originate in the United States, Canada, or Mexico, and must be eligible for earning Tier Points and collecting Avios
Below is a chart showing how status will map over with this offer. As you can see, British Airways is matching status from the two global US airlines that don’t belong to oneworld (Delta and United), as well as other non-oneworld airlines that are big across the Atlantic, including Air Canada, Air France-KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.
The requirement to book a transatlantic trip on British Airways in business class or first class to requalify isn’t too difficult, though it could be costly. Then again, you’re getting six months of status upfront for free. Furthermore, it’s not impossible to just outright requalify for the status within six months, since the elite requirements with Executive Club aren’t that high.
Is this British Airways status match worth it?
Obviously this promotion could be useful if you’re someone who has a lot of travel on British Airways coming up. Beyond that, though, the main reason to consider this promotion is because of the value of oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald status, as this offers perks across the alliance.
If you have oneworld Sapphire (British Airways Silver) status with a non-US frequent flyer program, you could even access American Admirals Clubs or American Flagship Lounges whenever traveling on a oneworld airline, even if you’re traveling domestically.
American AAdvantage and Alaska Mileage Plan elite members only get lounge access on select international itineraries, while oneworld Sapphire members with foreign airlines get lounge access even on entirely domestic itineraries. Getting access to American’s premium lounges even when traveling domestically is awesome.
The perks for oneworld Emerald (British Airways Gold) status are even better, as you can receive benefits like access to the Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles, and access to American Flagship First Check-In.
As I recently wrote about, I’m plotting a new oneworld status strategy, and am considering going for status with British Airways instead of continuing to pursue status with American AAdvantage. This sure is a good opportunity for that. I’m just frustrated that I haven’t quite yet earned Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum status, in order to be able to match over to the Gold tier.
Bottom line
British Airways Executive Club is offering a status match for those residing in the United States or Canada. You can match to Silver or Gold status in the program, unlocking oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald perks. Status is valid for six months, and then you can extend your status by completing one roundtrip transatlantic business class or first class itinerary.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this British Airways status match?
Hello everyone,
I’m interested in understanding some example flights for the tier match promotion. As far as I understand, the flight needs to have a BA prefix and be operated by American, British Airways, Finnair, or Iberia. But then it mentions that the flight has to go to the UK and then to Europe, and I’m a bit confused about what that means.
For example, does a flight from Mexico City to Madrid count? Or...
Hello everyone,
I’m interested in understanding some example flights for the tier match promotion. As far as I understand, the flight needs to have a BA prefix and be operated by American, British Airways, Finnair, or Iberia. But then it mentions that the flight has to go to the UK and then to Europe, and I’m a bit confused about what that means.
For example, does a flight from Mexico City to Madrid count? Or would it have to be a flight from Mexico City to London, and then onward to Madrid? Also, would two one-way flights from Mexico City to London, and then onward to Europe, qualify? Or does it need to be a roundtrip ticket?
I’d appreciate any clarification on this—thanks!
@ben - have to taken the Status Match qualifying flights yet? what was your experience like? how do you plan to requalify?
@Ben - have you or anyone else been able to confirm if AARP and/or CHASE 10% discounted bookings still qualify?
FT reports indicate success with the discounts
In order to take advantage of lounge access, you’d then have to commit to posting Avios instead of LP’s, wouldn’t you? Because you would need to have your OW Emerald status printed on your (domestic) ticket and the only way to get that is to use your BAEC#? So if you want BAEC Gold AND still retain EXP, you gotta plan accordingly
You can leave AA on your ticket and show your BA Credentials upon accessing lounge. Have done this before with BA Silver on my domestic AA it is
Does anyone know the following:
1. Can 2 one ways qualify as a roundtrip assuming one way is USA-LHR-Europe and the other is Europe-LHR-USA booked as two separate tickets?
2. Can a ticket booked before the status match approval qualify assuming the ticket originates in the US?
Hello Ben,
many thanks for the excellent article! great!
I'm also thinking about wearing the Match...
One question left:
Will open jaw flights also fulfill the requirement to extend status ("return flight trans-atlantic")?
Thanks for the help!
Mark K
Once I have completed that one transatlantic business round trip, originating in North America, within six months -- for how much longer do I then get to keep that status?
Am trying to take advantage of this offer and have lifetime United Gold status, but can't seem to find anything on the United Web Site that provides my last name and an end date of my status. Has anyone completed a status match request with United documentation?
I think they know that all United status, regardless of who you are, ends on January 31 every year. So you don't need to provide that detail in the case of United.
Yes, I completed with a screenshot of my United digital app card and was approved in 50 mins.
Take a photo of your digital card. That sufficed for my application.
@Lucky Will the below count to keep the status? I can't decipher from the T&C's, but maybe I'm missing something.
I'm UA Platinum (easy part) and already have NBO-LHR-PDX booked in J booked for September on BA metal. Would those count as my two flights? I did book them through AA.com (@ $900 one way...LOL).
they don't originate in the US/Canada and they aren't to/from Europe... so they should not count (on multiple counts).
Flights appear to be booked on BA stock and originate in the USA, Canada, or Mexico; from the BA offer website:
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
- Fly to the UK and onwards to Europe
- Be eligible for earning Tier Points and collecting Avios
If we get the status match to gold, would it get us access to the Corcorde Room? Probably not, but it would be nice if we could...
no. Galleries First, no Concorde Room with a Gold card unless you're flying F.
I keep getting an err msg “ Sorry, there was a problem processing your request, please try again or call us.” after I clicked "submit your request".
Any workaround?
It's working now for me. Had a lot of issues this morning.
I tried multiple times and multiple browers but keep getting error saying Ensure you have properly completed all fields. Weird. I have double made sure I have completed everything before hitting Submit your request. Not sure what is going on.
Technical question: How do you show the end date of your current status with Delta (one of the requirement's)? Can't seem to find that under my profile on Delta's website.
In the delta app.. Go to 'my wallet' and then click on your membership number.. Digital card should then show and have all of the requested details.
Not needed because they know that all Delta status ends on January 31 every year, regardless of who you are.
Can't find the answer to this so any help would be appreciated. I have quite a bit of travel booked on Aadvantage miles within the next six months. If I received BA Gold status though this offer, would I have access to OneWorld lounges on an Aadvantage ticket? The answer would be definitely yes in Star Alliance (I frequently used Singapore Gold status to gain access to multiple United, Lufthansa and other Star Alliance lounges...
Can't find the answer to this so any help would be appreciated. I have quite a bit of travel booked on Aadvantage miles within the next six months. If I received BA Gold status though this offer, would I have access to OneWorld lounges on an Aadvantage ticket? The answer would be definitely yes in Star Alliance (I frequently used Singapore Gold status to gain access to multiple United, Lufthansa and other Star Alliance lounges even though my tickets were credited to United). How does it work with OneWorld?
If you can get the frequent flyer number on the reservation changed to your BA number (try AA Twitter support) you will for sure get lounge access but might miss out on domestic upgrades to business on American or Alaska.
If you don't get it changed its highly dependent on the lounge operator policies. For example AA flagship lounge will gladly invoice entry to a different Oneworld program then appears on your ticket but Alaska...
If you can get the frequent flyer number on the reservation changed to your BA number (try AA Twitter support) you will for sure get lounge access but might miss out on domestic upgrades to business on American or Alaska.
If you don't get it changed its highly dependent on the lounge operator policies. For example AA flagship lounge will gladly invoice entry to a different Oneworld program then appears on your ticket but Alaska Clubs as a matter of policy typically won't.
Could I match Bilt Platinum to Flying Blue Gold to BA Silver without any flight history on flying blue? Terms seem to allow it.
This is great. Home airport = DFW. Have AA EXP, but now matching my Air Canada 75K to BA Gold. So I can go to Cap1 lounge for the food, and then Flagship next door for the drinks
When they say "marketed by British Airways" does that mean the ticket needs to be on BA ticket stock? I am seeing cheaper fares on AA ticket stock to Europe and could qualify that way possibly.
I think it is pretty clear it has to be on BA ticket stock. Marketed airline defines ticket stock. You can't buy a BA ticket through AA.
Now you could by a BA ticket and flight on AA code share with BA.
Marketed by British Airways means the flight code for I would assume at least the trans-ocean segment is "BA" if not the who trip.
It has nothing to do with having a ticket issued by BA as American etc can sell BA marketed "BA" flights through tools like ITA matrix and corporate booking engines.
Strange that Delta Diamond is not mentioned as a tier.
It is dramatically easier to earn Platinum with Delta than Hon Circle with Lufthansa, and yet both are treated equally in this status match offer
Ultimately the Brits just like Americans more than Germans. I wonder why.
1 roundtrip, not two.
Ben, how do you read this language on the promo landing page: "Once you’ve returned from your trip, we’ll extend your upgraded membership to the end of your next membership year." Let's assume my current membership year runs through October 1. If I apply today, am approved tomorrow, and complete the challenge next week (for sake of argument), do I get my status extended: (a) through October 1, 2024, because that's the membership year end...
Ben, how do you read this language on the promo landing page: "Once you’ve returned from your trip, we’ll extend your upgraded membership to the end of your next membership year." Let's assume my current membership year runs through October 1. If I apply today, am approved tomorrow, and complete the challenge next week (for sake of argument), do I get my status extended: (a) through October 1, 2024, because that's the membership year end after I completed the match; (b) through October 1, 2025, as that is the *next* membership year end; or (c) through October 1, 2026, because by the time my initial 6 months ends, I'll have already crossed over into the 2025 membership year, so the "end of [my] next membership year" is the end of the 2026 year?
@ digital_notmad -- That's a great question, especially with British Airways also currently changing Tier Points collection periods, to streamline them. My general assumption would be that if you complete the requirement next week, the next membership year clause would mean your status is valid through October 1, 2025. But I'm not sure how the new April timeline plays into all of this.
Does anyone more familiar with Executive Club than me have a take on this?
If it’s a new BA account I suspect you will get it to 31st March 2025 (card expiry 30th April 2026) if you do the flight.
My membership year looks to renew end of March 2025. Disappointing that would not be extended until end of 2025 but rather just until end of Q1 2025.
Ben,
Is this possible, book in American using my American number as this is where I will credit. But show up at the Qantas first class lounge and use my British airways? Or do I have to change it on my booking?
@ Serge T -- I've had luck doing exactly what you describe, but it all depends on the person working the desk. There are some situations where this isn't allowed -- for example, you can't enter Alaska Lounges with one frequent flyer number while crediting to a different program. However, I haven't had the same issue at American, for example.
@Ben why not utilise the Virgin Atlantic status match campaign currently running using your AA status, then use the BA promotion.
https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/flying-club/members/status-match.html
That’s what I was expecting Ben to do. You need a future booking in order to get the VS status match, but presumably that could be done in such a way that it is refundable in future. In the unlikely event the Virgin status is clawed back if it is refunded then it won’t matter as long as it’s after that BA status is secure?
From what I understand Virgin only upgrades to the match 72 hours before the flight. So that would create a short window for BA to validate the status. Do you think BA could do it quick enough to cancel the Virgin ticket before flight departure?
Looks like Virgin Atlantic Language says on form says that you will only get your status match within 72 hours from the upcoming Virgin flight.
@ Creditcrunch -- That's a great point, thank you! Though at that point, wouldn't a Delta status match to Platinum be easier, since that's not once in a lifetime and doesn't require booking a flight? Or am I missing something? I like where you're coming from. :-)
I think united would be better because they will match you instantly. I suspect BA will pull this before your DL match is approved,