Etihad Guest is currently offering a status match to residents of India and Australia who have existing elite status in seven other airline frequent flyer programmes.
However, the offer is more of a status challenge than a status match, as you will need to fly Etihad Airways within a few months to extend the status.
Who is eligible for this status match offer?
The offer is targeted at residents of India and Australia who have existing elite status in seven frequent flyer loyalty programmes. The list of eligible programmes is:
- Emirates Skywards
- Qatar Privilege Club
- Air India Fly Returns
- British Airways Executive Club
- Singapore Airlines Krisflyer
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Australia Velocity
Depending on your current tier in the programmes above, you will be eligible for a Gold or Silver status match. You can check which status match you qualify for here.
Currently, matching to the Etihad Guest Platinum Tier is not available.
You must provide evidence of your elite status and residency as part of the application process. The latter is done via a government-issued ID, so a passport, driver’s licence, or national ID should suffice.
How much does this cost?
The application fee varies by country.
Applicants from India pay US $99 for a Gold Tier match and US $59 for a Silver Tier match.
Australian residents pay US $79 for a Gold status match and US $49 for a Silver status match.
How long does it last?
This is more of a status challenge than a status match. If approved, your new Etihad Guest status will be valid for four months for Indian residents and six months for Australian residents.
However, during that initial period, you can extend your status by an additional 12 months by taking one return flight with Etihad.
Think about timing
The initial status only lasts four or six months, so you should carefully consider when to apply for the match.
It can also take up to eight days from the time you apply for your new status to be reflected. I would not apply until you have an Etihad trip in the pipeline but do not leave it too close to departure either.
What are the benefits of Etihad Guest Silver and Gold?
Etihad Guest Gold and Silver Tier benefits can include:
- Free access to onboard Wi-Fi
- Complimentary lounge access (Globally for Gold, Abu Dhabi only for Silver)
- Complimentary baggage
- Priority boarding and check-in
- Bonus Etihad Guest Miles
Check out the full list of Etihad Guest Gold and Silver Tier benefits here.
Is Etihad Guest status match worth it?
If you are flying Economy, an Etihad Guest status match would definitely be helpful. If you also expect to be flying Etihad more in the future, a match to get you going could be useful.
However, the case is less compelling if you have a one-off trip in Business or First Class coming up. It’s hard to see what would justify the fee.
Looking at the details, I feel this might be of most benefit to Indian and Australian expats based in the UAE who might be considering switching over from Emirates Skywards.
How do I apply for an Etihad Guest status match?
You can apply for your Etihad Guest Status Match here.