Etihad, the Abu Dhabi-based global network carrier, has been offering a status match promotion that could be useful to Indian (and Australian) residents who use the airline frequently. They are matching all Indian and Australian carriers, which is also good news.
Etihad offering (up to) Gold Status to Indian and Australian Residents
India and Australia are key source markets for Etihad, and the airline has launched a status match campaign for these two markets. The airline is offering three months of Gold Status, extended by another 12 months when you take one flight with the carrier. So, if you sign up and take one revenue flight with the airline, you will have 15 months of status.
What are the benefits of getting Etihad Guest status, you ask?
Etihad Guest Gold gets you free access to onboard Wi-Fi, Complimentary lounge access for you and a +1 (even while travelling economy), additional baggage allowance, priority boarding and check-in, 50% bonus miles on flying Etihad and so on.
Etihad Guest Silver tier earns the members 25% more Etihad Guest miles, priority check-in, a free Economy seat selection for self, additional baggage allowance and lounge access at Abu Dhabi.
What Airlines’ Status will be matched?
Etihad is offering status to the following status holders for now. For Indian residents, Vistara, Air India, and Air India Express status are all included in this generous status match. Club Vistara Gold, which comes with the Vistara Axis Infinite Credit Card is also a part of the status match.
How to apply for the status match?
Etihad has tied up with Status Match Co to offer the status match. You must head to this website to sign up for the status match. The Etihad Status Match is paid, so it comes with a fee of USD 59 for the Silver Tier Status Match and USD 99 for the Gold Tier Status Match. Once you are accepted, it unlocks three months of those tier benefits.
As mentioned above, to extend the status for a further 12 months, you need to fly one sector on an Etihad Airways flight within three months. So, you would receive 15 months of elite status perks from the said match. The flight has to be booked on Etihad Airways and operated by Etihad Airways, and it has to be a revenue flight.
So, if you have any travel coming up on Etihad or would generally like the status, it would be good to move in and get the status match. For the USD 99, the Gold Status is a great deal. I’ve held Etihad Gold status for years and received lounge access, priority boarding, and other benefits.
Bottomline
Etihad is offering a status match for Indian residents up to the Gold Status of their Etihad Guest programme. The airline’s frequent flyer programme offers a suite of perks, even at the Silver tier, and for USD 59/99, you can get the status for three months. From there, credit one revenue flight on Etihad to the loyalty account and get your status extended by twelve months more.
What do you think of the Status Match opportunity, and are you signing up? Book your Etihad tickets after applying for the Status Match.
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Hi Ajay,
I have an upcoming travel on Etihad (revenue ticket). Just applied for the statusmatch. Typically how long does it take? The website says 3 business days. The travel is few weeks from now but the ticket was booked before the status match got approved. Will the offer of 12 additional months still stand? I haven’t added my FFA in the booking yet.
@Manish, as long as you travel within the status-matched period (90 days), your status should be extended for 12 months.
Hi Ajay
Any idea how long does it take to get the status extended by another 12 months. I completed the flying in June (after matching to Gold) and also received the miles in the account for the flight. But the gold status still show expiry date on end of this month.
HI Ajay,
Do you know what is the criteria for SBI Ethiad card which offered gold tier, my third year renewal I was downgraded to silver and SBI has no clue I have been calling them up for a while but no update
Hi Ajay,
Didn’t see an end date for this promo anywhere? Does it mean it’s open for an unlimited period of time as of now?
@Anuj, indeed.
Ajay! Do we have to book on Eithad website only or booking via any OTA would also count as one revenue flight?
@Aakash, any revenue / miles earning flight counts as long as Etihad (marketed and operated)
Thanks for sharing Ajay. Does Etihad Gold benefit extend to any other airline partners?
Thanks,
-R