Kenya Airways, a SkyTeam member airline, is currently offering a status match opportunity, which is an easy way to unlock SkyTeam Elite Plus status (and that can get you useful perks across SkyTeam airlines).
I recently wrote about how Vietnam Airlines, another SkyTeam member, is also offering a status match opportunity. I figure this one is worth covering as well, since for most people, it’s going to be a better value (since the application cost is lower). Let’s go over the details.
In this post:
Status match for SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status
The website statusmatch.com is partnering with Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards program to offer a status match promotion. Kenya Airways 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:
- Kenya Airways is matching to Asante Rewards Silver status (SkyTeam Elite) at a cost of $80-99, and to Asante Rewards Gold and Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus) at a cost of $175-299; you can find the full costs here, as they vary based on whether you’re matching airline or hotel status
- The status match request should take just a minute to complete, though it can take up to three 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 dozens of frequent flyer and hotel loyalty programs, and you can find the full list of eligible programs here
- Depending on the program you’re matching from, there are potentially some residency requirements, though at least some versions of the offer are open to all
Specific to the United States, if you have mid or top tier status with most airline programs, you can unlock SkyTeam Elite Plus status this way for $299, which could potentially be worthwhile.
Is this Kenya Airways status match worth it?
Should you consider a Kenya Airways status match? Of course if you fly Kenya Airways frequently, there could be significant upside. However, even if you don’t, you might still find this to be worthwhile.
If you can status match to Asante Rewards Gold or Platinum status, then that gets you SkyTeam Elite Plus status. This offers considerable reciprocal perks when flying with any SkyTeam member airline, including business class lounge access on select itineraries, priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, an extra baggage allowance, preferred seating, and more.
Just keep in mind that SkyTeam Elite Plus has some restrictions around lounge access, and you only get domestic lounge access in select regions and to certain facilities (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 at the cost.
If you are going for a SkyTeam status match, this is generally going to be a better deal than the Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles status match, though personally I’d consider the Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match to be a better opportunity. However, that has more geographic restrictions (and isn’t currently open to those in the United States), which is why the Kenya Airways offer will be better for some.
Bottom line
At the moment, Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards program is offering a status match opportunity, and it’s really widely available. If you have elite status with virtually any airline, this is a way to get SkyTeam Elite Plus status for $299. That can get you perks across SkyTeam airlines, ranging from business class check-in, to lounge access, to priority boarding, and more.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this Kenya Airways status match?
Hat tip to Eve for this one! :)
Thanks
I believe Asante offers soft landings, in which case matching to Platinum would guarantee two years of SkyTeam Elite Plus.
I donno, the flights I've taken into Nairobi didn't feel that sof... oh, you meant 'metaphorically.'
Yeah let's cram SkyClub with foreign Elite Plus members paying few hundred dollars while Delta's own loyalists who spent over $10,000 MQD can't even access without flying premium cabins.
Delta lounges are excluded from SkyTeam tier status access.
Exactly, Tom. Which is why this is kind of a 'weak' offer.
@Tom
Delta lounges are NOT excluded from SkyTeam tier status access.
SkyTeam don't have exclusions for SkyClubs
"Delta lounges are excluded from SkyTeam tier status access."
100%, Tom.
Delta opted out of SkyTeam's domestic lounge access program. Sky Club access requires a same-day international flight or a domestic segment connecting directly to/from a same-day international flight.
Which is lame of Delta, but also, more lame, is how Amex oversold access to domestic SkyClubs, and Delta has real capacity issues at many of them.
Meh. Whether the airline is Vietnam or Kenya, the fact that this status match requires a payment is not ideal. Then again, at least you do not have to meet any requirements like taking expensive flights, etc. To each their own... (SE+ doesn't do all that much these days, but for a few lounges, not domestic, and maybe some better baggage, seat selection, mid-tier 'priority' boarding.)