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Having status with an airline can get you lots of perks when flying. But if you don't always fly the same airline, you can lose out on those benefits. Luckily, the three major airline alliances offer reciprocal benefits to travelers with elite status in any of their member airlines. That means having status with any of the airlines in the alliance will get you perks no matter which alliance member you're flying.
SkyTeam is one such alliance with 18 partner airlines. These include well-regarded airlines like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Air France/KLM. This post will look at the SkyTeam Alliance and the benefits you can get from its highest level of status: Elite Plus.
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What is SkyTeam Elite Plus?
The SkyTeam alliance has two status levels: Elite and Elite Plus. You earn these levels by obtaining status with one of the 18 member airlines. That elite status, in turn, qualifies the traveler for one of the two SkyTeam Elite levels. For example, if you have elite status with Delta and book a KLM flight, KLM will honor your status with benefits determined by your SkyTeam elite status level.
The status with the most perks is SkyTeam Elite Plus. Let's look at how you can obtain this valuable status.
How To Get SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
Each SkyTeam airline has multiple tiers to its loyalty program. Only the higher tiers will qualify for SkyTeam Elite Plus. Here are the member airlines and the respective elite tiers that correspond to Elite Plus:
| Airline/Loyalty Program: | SkyTeam Elite Plus-Equivalent Tier: |
|---|---|
| Aerolineas Argentinas: Aerolineas Plus | Platinum, Diamante |
| Aeromexico: Aeromexico Rewards | Platinum, Titanium, Caballero Aguila |
| Air Europa: Suma | Gold, Platinum |
| Air France/KLM: Flying Blue | Gold, Platinum, Club 2000 |
| China Airlines: Dynasty Flyer | Emerald, Paragon |
| China Eastern: Eastern Miles | Gold, Platinum |
| Czech Airlines: OK Plus | Gold, Platinum |
| Delta Airlines: SkyMiles | Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion |
| Garuda Indonesia: GarudaMiles | Platinum |
| ITA Airways: Volare Program | Volare Premium, Volare Executive |
| Kenya Airways: Asante Rewards | Gold, Platinum |
| KLM: Flying Blue | Gold, Platinum, Club 2000 |
| Korean Air: SKYPASS | Morning Calm Premium Club, Million Miler Club |
| MEA: Cedar Miles | Gold, Presidents Club, Platinum |
| Saudia: AIFursan | Gold |
| Tarom: Flying Blue | Gold, Platinum, Platinum for Life |
| Vietnam Airlines: Lotusmiles | Platinum, Million Miler |
| Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Gold |
| Xiamen Air: Egret Club | Platinum, Diamond |
Earn Delta Medallion status, get SkyTeam Elite Plus
Delta Airlines is probably the most common route to SkyTeam Elite Plus — at least for our U.S.-based readers. Since you'll need to earn Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion status on Delta in order to receive SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits, let's briefly look at how to earn Delta status.
Like most frequent flyer programs, Delta elite status is based primarily on flying and spending money with the airline. With Delta, you earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) toward status. Here are the MQD requirements for each tier:
- Gold Medallion: $10,000 MQDs
- Platinum Medallion: $15,000 MQDs
- Diamond Medallion: $28,000 MQDs
Of course, you can earn MQDs toward status by simply purchasing tickets and flying eligible fares on Delta, by purchasing vacation packages, or through MQD promotions. However several Delta co-branded credit cards can help you earn Delta status as well.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 on purchases made on your Platinum Delta Amex.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 on purchases made on your Delta Business Platinum Amex.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases made on your Delta Reserve.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each qualification year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases made on your Business Delta Reserve.
Benefits of SkyTeam Elite Plus Status
Typically, the benefits afforded to airline elite passengers include check-in and boarding perks, extra checked bags, and upgrades or preferential seating. In addition, elite members may gain access to airport lounges. Let's look at the benefits that SkyTeam partners give to Elite Plus travelers.
Access 750+ airport lounges
One of the best perks of the Elite Plus status is access to over 750 worldwide airport lounges. These include partner lounges as well as SkyTeam-branded lounges. Want to see what SkyTeam Lounges are like? Click here to view 360-degree virtual tours.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members can access these lounges regardless of their class of service as long as:
- You are departing or connecting on an international flight with a same-day boarding pass.
- Your flight is operated by a SkyTeam member airline.
- In the case of a connection, both the domestic and international flights are operated by a SkyTeam member airline.
Elite Plus members can also bring one guest into the lounge. It is worth noting that access to Delta Sky Club locations is restricted for members who have obtained their status through Delta. To alleviate overcrowding in the popular Sky Clubs, Delta no longer allows Medallion members flying in economy or Delta Comfort into its Sky Clubs. However, these elites can still access partner lounges.
Breeze through the airport with SkyPriority services
Travelers with SkyTeam Elite Plus status will enjoy a list of priority airport services, regardless of their class of service. This means that even if you are traveling in economy, you can still benefit from a seamless and quick airport experience. Perks include:
- Priority check-in
- Priority security
- Priority baggage drop-off and handling on arrival
- Priority immigration
- Priority boarding
- Priority transfers
In addition, Elite Plus members will be entitled to guaranteed full-fare Y-class reservations on sold-out long-haul flights when booking at least 24 hours before departure.
Get complimentary preferred seating
SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive preferred seating on SkyTeam airlines, but the details vary widely from airline to airline. Some airlines let you choose exit row and extra legroom seats at no cost, while others offer fewer options, such as aisle or window preference.
Airline policies also differ on whether companions on the same reservation enjoy these benefits. Make sure to check with the airline about what their policy is for preferred seating.
Check an extra bag for free
I may be on team carry-on, but sometimes you just have to check your bags. Luckily, if you have SkyTeam Elite Plus status, you will not only get priority handling on both ends of your journey but you are also entitled to an extra baggage allowance. Elite Plus members get an additional 20kg (~45 pounds) of luggage or one additional bag where applicable. With this priority service, hopefully, some of the annoyance of checking bags is alleviated.
Related: How To Get Airline Elite Status Without Flying
Final Thoughts
Having elite status with an airline can really make flying easier and more comfortable. And if you've got status through one airline, and by extension, with an airline alliance, you can enjoy those same perks across many airlines. Let's face it: a less hectic airport experience is always a win, and having top-tier elite status like SkyTeam Elite Plus makes travel much smoother.
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