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SAS Launches British Airways Status Match
SAS has just launched a rare status match for status holders of The British Airways Club. It’s a low-risk option that lets you hold status with BA and SAS while testing the waters.
Here are the tiers you could match to, plus how you can requalify:
| British Airways Tier | Matched SAS EuroBonus Status | SkyTeam Equivalent | Cost | Requalification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | EuroBonus Silver | SkyTeam Elite | €39 | 20,000 Basic Points OR 10 qualifying flights |
| Silver | EuroBonus Gold | SkyTeam Elite Plus | €79 | 45,000 Basic Points OR 45 qualifying flights |
| Gold / Gold Guest List | EuroBonus Diamond | SkyTeam Elite Plus | €159 | 90,000 Basic Points OR 90 qualifying flights |
Your status will be valid for up to 23 months (the EuroBonus year + 12 months), which is excellent for a status match!
Elite Plus is the status to aim for. You’ll have fantastic benefits across the SkyTeam alliance, including access to over 750 lounges. However, you won’t be able to use the Virgin Atlantic T3 Clubhouse when flying Virgin Economy or Premium.
Status also comes with some useful SAS-specific benefits. You don’t need to fly SAS exclusively to earn status, as partner flights can count as well. EuroBonus Gold members receive free Wi-Fi on SAS flights and can bring one guest or up to four immediate family members into SAS lounges. Diamond members receive free drinks in SAS Economy and no expiry on EuroBonus points.
Matched status does not count towards lifetime status or come with the card giveaway. You must also reside in the UK/EU.
The offer has no end date, but it is capped by a quota, so it’s worth applying sooner rather than later. You can view the other open SkyTeam status matches in our 2026 status match guide.
Earn and Spend Avios at More UK Airports Via Club Avolta
IAG has expanded its partnership with Club Avolta. Members of The British Airways Club and Iberia Club can now earn and spend Avios when shopping at World Duty Free at Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham airports.
This builds on the existing Avolta partnership, where you can earn and spend Avios at Heathrow Airport and at Spanish airports, including Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga.
Before you shop, you need to link your Avios account with Club Avolta in the app. Tap ‘account’ then ‘Explore Partners’ and pick your chosen loyalty programme.
If you link your account to Club Avolta for the first time and make a purchase, you will receive 250 bonus Avios. Silver Club Avolta members also receive 5% off at World Duty Free. Silver is earned simply by downloading the app and signing up.
Once your accounts are linked, you’ll collect 1 Avios for every £1 spent at participating World Duty Free shops. To earn, remember to scan the QR code in the Club Avolta app at check-out. Avios will be in your account within 72 hours.
To spend Avios, you can convert them into a Club Avolta shopping voucher in the app.
This is a great way to earn extra Avios on things you would have bought anyway. The earn rate may not be high, but Avios really add up! Whether you think you’ll be shopping at World Duty Free or not, make sure you have the Avolta app downloaded and accounts linked in case you do end up making a purchase.
Six Senses London Finally Opens in Bayswater
Six Senses London has finally welcomed its first guests, years after it was first announced in 2020. It’s the first Six Senses-branded hotel in the UK and part of IHG’s luxury portfolio.
The hotel is located inside the redeveloped Whiteleys department store in Bayswater, just north of Hyde Park and close to Paddington and the Elizabeth line.
There are 109 rooms and suites, many with private terraces, alongside 14 branded residences.
The top room option is The Whiteley Suite, which has a 125-square-metre roof terrace and two bedrooms.
Wellness is very much the centrepiece here. The 2,300 sqm spa includes a large indoor pool alongside London’s first hotel magnesium pool. There’s also a fitness centre, yoga studios and treatment spaces where you can try cryotherapy, flotation therapy, red-light therapy and a traditional hammam.
Biohacking is also a big focus. Treatments range from electromuscle stimulation to hyperbaric chamber therapy. There are also health screenings and lifestyle programmes offered in partnership with the HUM2N longevity clinic, including IV nutrient therapy and hormone optimisation.
Dining is centred on Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café, which focuses on seasonal, vegetable-forward dishes.
The Alchemy Bar is a modern apothecary where you can create tinctures and tonics from locally foraged herbs used in treatments, rituals and cocktails.
Above the lobby sits the world’s first Six Senses Place, a social and wellness-focused private members’ club.
If you want to book using points, nights are priced in the 165,000-247,000 range with some good pricing in the coming months. Cash pricing starts at £667 per night but is generally around £800 with the top room options in the £4k+ range.
