In this post:
Virgin Launches Enhanced BA Status Match: BA Silver to Flying Club Gold
This is one of the best status match offers we’ve ever seen. If you’re considering switching to SkyTeam or would like a secondary option, Virgin may have the answer for you. Until 23rd February, Virgin Atlantic will match:
| Current British Airways Status | New Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Status | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways Bronze | Flying Club Silver | A future cash or redemption booking in any cabin. |
| British Airways Silver and Above | Flying Club Gold | A future cash or redemption booking in Premium or Upper Class. |
Flying Club Gold includes benefits such as Clubhouse access, extra baggage, and priority services. As a SkyTeam member, you receive SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which provides lounge access and SkyPriority benefits on SkyTeam airlines such as Air France, KLM, and Delta.
Flying Club Silver is still well worth having, especially if you match from Bronze or your BA status will soon expire.
If you have the Virgin credit card, it will also increase your voucher value. There are also benefits such as Priority Boarding, access to Premium Economy check-in desks, and extra baggage allowance, among others.
Even better, you can still match your status even if you have taken advantage of a Virgin status match before. You can also match if you already hold SkyTeam status with another airline.
To apply, you must provide proof of your current BA status. Importantly, your BA status only needs to be valid at the point you apply, not at the date you travel, which is ideal if you won’t meet the requirements to renew your BA status this year
Flying Club status will remain valid for 12 months. Your status will be updated 72 hours before your flight.
The main caveat is the requirement of a Premium or Upper booking to match Flying Club Gold, but this would be well worth booking to upgrade your status, especially if you currently hold BA Silver!
We knew a rush of status matches would likely come just before April, but there are already some great options, including the Lufthansa Miles & More match, the Flying Blue match, and now the Virgin match.
There are some clever marketing touches here from Virgin, inviting travellers to “save their tiers” if they are “not feeling the love this Valentine’s”, and promising that it “couldn’t be easier to go from ‘Club’ to Clubhouse”.
Will you be matching your status? Let us know in the comments below.
BA Launches Avios-Only Flights to Madrid and Toulon from London City
British Airways has announced two new Avios-Only flights this summer. This means all seats can be booked with Avios, rather than the set number usually released.
If you’re not travelling with children, you’ll be pleased to know these flights are not during most schools’ school holidays.
There are some good options here:
Madrid
The Madrid service is perfectly timed for the late May bank holiday:
- 22nd May – Outbound 11:00-14:20
- 25th May – Inbound – 15:10 -16:30
Return pricing starts at £2 plus 28,000 Avios in Euro Traveller or £30 plus 49,000 Avios in Club Europe. It’s the perfect excuse for a city break! Explore the many museums, enjoy tapas, and enjoy rooftop drinks.
Toulon
The Toulon flight is ideal for an early summer Riviera escape. The route is also new for this year:
- 13th June – Outbound 07:00-10:00
- 20th June – Inbound – 10:45-11:50
Return flights start at £2 plus 21,500 Avios in Euro Traveller or £30 plus 36,000 Avios in Club Europe. You can enjoy a beach escape, visit Provençal markets, and explore Saint-Tropez.
Bookings are made as normal, and AMEX Companion Vouchers can be used.
This announcement marks BA’s 50th Avios-Only service since the concept launched in 2023. If previous releases are anything to go by, these flights are likely to sell quickly, particularly the bank holiday Madrid option. Seats are on sale from 12th February.
Lufthansa Adds British Airways Bronze-Frequent Traveller to the Miles & More Status Match
Just over a week ago, a Lufthansa Miles & More status match was launched for BA, Iberia, and ITA status holders. It’s a great opportunity to switch to Star Alliance.
You can now match BA Bronze with Lufthansa Miles & More Frequent Traveller.
Matched status is valid until 28th February 2027, which is great for a status match.
While Frequent Traveller only matches Star Alliance Silver (which has limited benefits), it has some useful Lufthansa Group benefits, including lounge access on eligible Lufthansa Group services, which is a nice upgrade from the fairly limited benefits of BA Bronze. Given that those with BA Silver status also qualify for Frequent Traveller, this is a great offer if you hold BA Bronze.
To apply, you’ll need an active Miles & More account, proof of your current status and payment of the €99 fee.
1 comment
I think it’s worth you adding to this article that the VS /BA status match is only possible if you DON’T already hold status with another Skyteam member. E.g If you hold Flying Blue Gold already means that you can’t take advantage of this offer