After the shocking news from British Airways a couple of weeks ago of British Airways moving to a spend-based Tier Point system, there has been plenty of speculation on which airline will be first to offer a status match. Flying Blue has now stepped in and announced a British Airways specific status match. The match is available for British Airways Executive Club status holders based in the UK.
In this post:
The Status Match Offer
This status match offer allows you to match your current British Airways status to the equivalent Flying Blue level. Flying Blue is the joint loyalty programme of Air France and KLM. You can fast-track your progress through the Flying Blue loyalty programme by enjoying a valuable head start.
Flying Blue is popular for its good seat reward availability, monthly Promo Rewards, and competitive award pricing.
The initial application is a very simple process and takes just 60 seconds. To apply, you must be registered with the Flying Blue loyalty programme and have your membership number and registered email address ready.
The Cost
The status match incurs an application fee of £99. Considering you’ll receive status throughout the SkyTeam alliance, this is great value for money. It’s also cheaper than the recent status match offers we’ve covered for matching BA Gold!
Last year, a similar status match was offered, and the price increased depending on which BA tier you were matching. Matching to Platinum was nearly €399, so you’re definitely getting better value this time around!
Get your status matched here >>>
How Does the British Airways-Flying Blue Status Match Work?
Once you pay the fee and are approved for the status match, you will receive 12 months of either Silver, Gold, or Platinum Flying Blue status, depending on your British Airways tier.
Here is a breakdown of how your British Airways status will be matched within the Flying Blue programme:
| British Airways Status | Matched Flying Blue Status |
| Bronze | Silver |
| Silver | Gold |
| Gold, Gold Guest List and Premier | Platinum |
The benefits of Flying Blue status are very similar to BA status. For example, the Flying Blue Silver level has similar benefits to BA Bronze around seat selection and checked baggage.
It’s worth noting that you can only redeem miles for La Première (Air France First Class) once you have Platinum status. This status match could boost your status straight to Platinum (as long as you hold BA Gold or above) and allow you to redeem miles for La Première straight away. Even if you match your BA Silver status to Flying Blue Gold, you’re well on your way to reaching Platinum status.
The Application
Follow this link to apply now. During the application process, you will be asked to provide evidence of your frequent flyer status and may be required to provide other personal details, such as a passport or driving licence, to help validate your information and eligibility.
When you have provided appropriate documentation, you will find out whether your status match has been approved within three business days. You can track your application here. Once approved, your new status will appear on your account within five business days.
To retain your Flying Blue status beyond the initial 12 months, you must requalify based on meeting the published requirements. We will publish a full Flying Blue loyalty programme guide later on today so keep an eye out for that!
Your matched status is based on the British Airways tier you have when you apply. If your BA status changes later, it won’t affect the match. The match applies only to your status at the time of application.
No status match to Flying Blue Ultimate is available, regardless of your BA status.
Instant SkyTeam Status
Since Air France is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, your matched status will correspond to the equivalent SkyTeam tier—either SkyTeam Elite or SkyTeam Elite Plus. This means you can enjoy your status benefits across all SkyTeam member airlines.
| Matched BA Status | Flying Blue Status | Matching SkyTeam Status |
| BA Bronze | Flying Blue Silver | SkyTeam Elite |
| BA Silver, Gold. Gold Guest List and Premier | Flying Blue Gold, Platinum and Ultimate | SkyTeam Elite Plus |
Unlike Oneworld, SkyTeam does not have a third tier of alliance status like Oneworld Emerald. You can read more about how the airline alliances work here.
Does This Offer Have a Deadline?
Flying Blue and StatusMatch.com reserve the right to end or amend the campaign without notice.
According to the terms and conditions, ‘the status match offer is limited in number of matches and time frame at the sole discretion of StatusMatch.com and Flying Blue. It may end at any time‘.
Considering other status match offers have been pulled due to so many applications in the past, you never know when this one might end and whether it will ever be offered again.
If you’re going for it, I recommend doing it today!
Final Words
This status match offer is fantastic news and comes at a good time, just after the shock BA announcement. If you’ve made the decision to reconsider your loyalty strategy, this status match provides a valuable way to retain elite benefits with a new alliance. The application process is quick, and the £99 fee is a small price to pay for the number of perks you’ll have.
30 comments
Great article. If I match status do I still retain my current status with BA?
You do indeed!
What, really?
We’re currently Silver with BA and Virgin, is it still worth doing as we have silver with Virgin
I got a status match with ITA Airways a few months ago, until 01/2026 and it was free.
No £99 fee, so no thanks Air France/KLM
I did the same but I’m pretty certain it was valid through 31-12-25 — I’m presuming we both took the same offer widely available around the same time ( 4-6 months ago without checking).
I agree that a payment is a negative. I took that offer whilst the other half didn’t. To gaurd-off against not achieving requalification based on that offer. I intend to have the better half take up this one. We always travel together so it’s existence benefits us both.
We have existing BAH travel ( booked In advance of them deciding they hate their HRLP ) which makes ITA Requalification unlikely. If £99 gets us another quarter, at least, then imho it’s worth the payout
I was about to book a flight from LHR-AMS yesterday with KLM.
However, even with the Skyteam Elite Plus status from ITA Airways, you don’t get any Skyteam priority services (priority check in, boarding and lounge access) unless you buy an expensive flexible economy ticket.
So, I paid a bit extra for a BA ticket with all the Gold status priorities.
Not sure Skyteam will be the one for me.
I also remember flying back from China on KLM in Business Class years ago. The lounge in AMS only gave you a couple of free beers – everything else you had to pay for. Makes BA and OneWorld seem pretty good, lol.
Question. I assume the status match only lasts a year and then you are back to basic on sky team unless you have managed to use their airlines.
Being in Scotland I’m quite restrictied.
Thats right, Frances. The idea is that you have a free year of status for you to then fly and maintain it. We;; not free its £99 but you know what I mean.
Plenty of Air France and Klm options from EDI and then onwards from CDG or AMS.
I don’t think I can justify the 99 quid for equivalent status, as I’m only on bronze. Shame, as BA Silver match would definitely make the outlay worthwhile
Flying Blue offered a status match last year, and I took it. I am nearly at maintaining Gold and even before BA’s announcement I decided to change loyalty.
I will burn up the last remaining avios and not look back.
We now need more knowledge on how to accrue points in the UK, probably through Virgin Red. Long live Skyteam, good by One World.
Good work! Our very next article that will be live in a few hours digs deep into Flying Blue.
And do I still earn BA Tier points on future OneWorld bookings?
Absolutely.
My status has just dropped from BA Silver to Bronze but flying long haul + hotel booking with BA in two weeks (Might risk trying to match then hopefully I will be back to Silver)
Thanks so much for this.
Filled in the online form this morning, approved within the hour 🙂
Same for me! Very smooth setup so far.
If you get a status match to Flying Blue Platinum, will you get a soft landing to FB Gold?
If so, would this also mean that you would have Skyteam Elite Plus for 24mths?
Thanks.
EDIT: No status match is entitled to soft landings I’m afraid.
It says it the terms that any matched status’ won’t qualify for soft landings
It appears you are right. I just had this confirmed by Status Match directly.
Thanks! Just did it. Less than 2 minutes.
Bye bye Silver BA.
BA: To serve to be greedy
Given they ask for money has this been validated – its it genuine?
Our information came directly from Status Match and Flying Blue.
Good stuff. How do Sky Team partners fair for firect flights from UK to US?
Delta or Virgin Atlantic, take your pick.
Done it. Bye bye BA.
QQ – Does the status match to platinum count as the first of your 10 year for lifetime platinum?
QQ – Does the status match to platinum count as the first of your 10 year for lifetime platinum?
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