GUIDE: BA Status Holders Can Get SkyTeam Status for 12 Months – Here’s How

If you have British Airways status, one of the best ways to get more value from it is through a status match, where another airline recognises your existing status and gives you an equivalent tier in its own loyalty programme. If that airline belongs to another alliance, it can open up benefits across a whole new group of airlines – while you keep your BA status too.

Vietnam Airlines is currently offering a paid status match to its Lotusmiles programme for British Airways Club members and other eligible status holders. Depending on your BA tier, you could get SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status for 12 months, giving you benefits when flying airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM.

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This article has been sponsored by Status Match.

How does the Lotusmiles Status Match Work?

Matching your status with Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles will give you either SkyTeam Elite or SkyTeam Elite Plus status, depending on your existing tier, and benefits when you fly with SkyTeam members such as Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta.

You can match your BA tier with the equivalent Lotusmiles tier for a cost:

Once approved, your status will be valid for 12 months.

Other Eligible Airline Status

The status match isn’t limited to BA status holders. Eligible status holders from a variety of other airline loyalty programmes are also eligible, most notably:

View the full list here

You Can Even Match Hotel Status

Unlike most status matches, you can also match eligible hotel status to Lotusmiles, although you can’t match to SkyTeam Elite Plus. This is ideal if you don’t have airline status to match, such as if you have lost your BA status but have hotel status.

Options include:

Keep in mind that the cost of matching hotel status is different, including:

Having Status with SkyTeam

SkyTeam is the world’s second-largest airline alliance, with 18 member airlines that collectively fly to over 945 destinations worldwide.

SkyTeam Elite Benefits

Your British Airways Bronze or Silver status could get you the following benefits when flying with SkyTeam airlines:

• 10kg Extra Baggage Allowance or one extra bag
• Priority Check-In, bag drop, and boarding
• Preferred seating
• Priority Standby and Waitlisting

Unlike BA Silver, SkyTeam Elite does not include alliance-wide lounge access. Some benefits are airline-dependent.

SkyTeam Elite Plus Benefits

SkyTeam Elite Plus has a range of improved benefits including:

• 20kg extra baggage allowance or one extra bag
• Priority at transfer desks via SkyPriority lanes
• Priority baggage handling
• Guaranteed full-fare Economy Class booking on long-haul international flights of 6+ hours if sold out in economy (when booked 24 hours before)
• Priority at immigration and security lanes, where SkyPriority is available
• Lounge access

Lounge access is perhaps the most compelling reason for having status with another alliance. Your status gives access to over 750 lounges across the SkyTeam network, subject to the usual access rules.

This applies when you’re travelling on a same-day SkyTeam-operated international flight, even if you are flying in Economy. You can also bring a guest as long as they are travelling on the same eligible SkyTeam-operated flight.

Keep in mind that Lotusmiles status will not give you access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal 3, but you can use the No1 Lounge instead.

Vietnam Airlines Specific Benefits

Vietnam Airlines is the only airline flying non-stop between the UK and Vietnam, with direct flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

If you fly Vietnam Airlines while you hold status, you’ll receive extra benefits not available when you fly other SkyTeam airlines:

Titanium

• 30% bonus miles earned on eligible flights
• One golf set carried free

Gold

• 1,500 bonus Birthday miles

• 50% bonus miles earned on eligible flights
• Business Class Lotus lounge access when flying with Vietnam Airlines.

Platinum

• 100% bonus miles earned on eligible flights
• 2,000 miles on your birthday
• Two extra 23kg checked bags (vs one when flying on other SkyTeam airlines)

Requalification

To keep your status after the initial 12 months, you’ll have to requalify:

NOTE: Members aged 60 and above are eligible for a 20% reduction in the qualification criteria for Platinum, Gold, and Titanium tiers.

How to Apply

To be eligible, you must have a Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles account, so sign up before applying. Applications are made through the dedicated StatusMatch.com page.

You’ll need proof of your existing status and may also be asked for ID. After you pay the application fee, you should learn whether you’ve been approved within three business days. Your new Lotusmiles status should then appear in your account within five business days.

NOTE: Members approved for a Status Match are not eligible for another Vietnam Airlines Status Match. If you’re close to reaching a higher tier with your current programme, it may therefore be worth waiting and matching that status instead.

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Applying for a Lower Tier

You don’t have to match to the highest tier you’re eligible for. If you’re a BA Gold status holder, you can opt for a cheaper Lotusmiles Gold match. Likewise, as a BA Silver status holder, you can choose Titanium rather than Gold. It depends on whether the extra cost is worth the added benefits of SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Worth It?

You Have SkyTeam Trips Planned Over the Next 12 Months

If you regularly fly Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM or another SkyTeam airline, this could be an easy way to benefit from SkyTeam status without starting from scratch. Think about what you would otherwise pay for the benefits you’ll use and compare that with the cost of the status match.

You Have BA Gold and Value Lounge Access

You can use your BA Gold status to match to SkyTeam Elite Plus, which opens up benefits including SkyTeam lounge access. This is even more useful if you think you’ll lose your BA status at the next renewal. If that’s likely, matching while you still hold Gold could make considerably more sense than waiting until you’ve dropped to a lower tier.

You Usually Check Bags

Whether you usually book cheaper fares or travel with lots of luggage, the cost can add up. Extra baggage is one of the easiest benefits to put a cash value on.

You Have Hotel Status but No Airline Status

As one of the only status matches available where you can use your hotel status, this is an excellent opportunity if you would get value from SkyTeam Elite benefits and want to get your foot in the door with airline status. If you have both hotel and airline status, keep in mind the equivalent match with hotel status is $20 (£14.84) more.

You Want to Try SkyTeam Without Switching Loyalty from Oneworld or Star Alliance

If British Airways and oneworld remain your main choice but you’re increasingly booking SkyTeam flights, there’s no need to give up your existing BA status.

Final Words

For BA Gold members in particular, this is an interesting way to add SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits for 12 months without giving up any of your existing BA or Oneworld benefits. If you have several SkyTeam trips planned, lounge access, extra baggage and priority benefits could make the £266.50 cost relatively easy to justify.

For BA Silver and Bronze members, it’s less clear-cut as SkyTeam Elite doesn’t include alliance-wide lounge access. I’d look at the flights you’re likely to take over the next 12 months and work out how much value you’d realistically get from the extra baggage and priority benefits before paying for the match.

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