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Virgin Atlantic, one of the two big airlines in the U.K., is offering a status match opportunity to its Flying Club loyalty program from 10 airlines.
If you could use some extra perks when flying Virgin Atlantic — or any of its SkyTeam partners — this is a good offer to take advantage of.
Here's how it works and how to match your status to Flying Club.
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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Status Match
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club frequently offers a status match opportunity from other loyalty programs, although the number of airlines you can match from fluctuates.
Currently, Virgin Atlantic will match your elite status from 11 airlines — including American Airlines and United in the U.S., and British Airways in the U.K.
This Virgin status match is free to submit, but it's contingent on two things:
- You must have a future revenue or redemption flight booked:
- Either through Virgin Atlantic or a codeshare partner with a ‘VS' flight number
- To match to Flying Club Gold, you'll need to book either Premium or Upper Class.
- To match to Flying Club Silver, you can be booked in any cabin.
- Your lack of prior Flying Club status:
- Gold matches are restricted to travelers who have never had Flying Club status previously.
- Silver matches are restricted to Flying Club members who haven't previously status-matched to Flying Club.
Click this link to initiate a status match with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
After approval, Virgin Atlantic will upgrade your status 72 hours before your qualifying flight. The Flying Club elite qualification year is rolling, so a delayed start means you'll have more time to re-qualify next year.
Which Flying Club elite status tier you'll get from this status match depends on your current airline status. Here's a chart that shows all the different matches:
| Airline Program | Match to Silver Tier | Match to Gold Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 25K or 35K | 50K, 75K, or Super Elite |
| Air India Flying Returns | Silver | Gold or Platinum |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum or Concierge Key |
| British Airways Club | Silver | Gold |
| Cathay Pacific Marco Polo | Gold | Diamond |
| Emirates Skywards | Silver | Gold or Platinum |
| Iberia Plus | Oro | Platino |
| Lufthansa Miles & More | Senator (Gold) | Hon Circle |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | Silver | Gold or Platinum |
| South African Voyager | Silver | Gold or Platinum |
| United Airlines MileagePlus | Premier Platinum | Premier 1K or Global Services |
Related: All Current Airline Elite Status Match Opportunities
Virgin Atlantic Status Match Key Terms
It's never a bad idea to read the fine print. Here are the terms you'll want to make note of for this promotion:
- You must have a future revenue or redemption flight in Premium or Upper Class booked with Virgin Atlantic.
- Virgin Atlantic will upgrade your status 72 hours before your qualifying flight.
- Cancelation of the qualifying booking will result in a cancelation of the status match and a reversion to Red status, and you won't be able to apply for a status match in the future.
- Status matches are only valid if the Flying Club number is attached to the qualifying booking.
- Flying Club status is valid for 12 months from the date the account is upgraded.
- The Silver offer is not available to those who previously status matched to Flying Club.
- The Gold offer is not available to anyone who previously held a Flying Club elite status.
- To retain status past the promotional period, Silver members must earn 400 tier points, and Gold members must earn 1,000 tier points.
The full list of terms is viewable on the dedicated status match webpage.
What Does Virgin Atlantic Elite Status Get You?
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver status is the lower of the two elite status levels you can receive (Red status is the basic membership status automatically given when you sign up for Flying Club).
Silver status comes with several benefits:
- 30% more Virgin Points on flights
- SkyTeam Elite status
- 1 extra piece of checked baggage
- Premium check-in
- Advanced seat assignment in economy cabins
- Earn and spend points with Virgin Red
- Maternity and paternity membership pause
- Gift companion and upgrade vouchers to your loved ones
- Pool your Virgin Points in a Household account to fast-track your way to rewards
Gold status is Virgin Atlantic's top-tier elite status and gives members the following benefits
- 60% more Virgin Points on flights
- SkyTeam Elite Plus status
- Access to Clubhouses and London Heathrow Revivals Lounge
- Upper Class check-in
- Extra luggage allowance regardless of cabin class
- Guaranteed economy seat on any flight
- Earn a reward voucher when you renew your Gold status
- Gold Reward Seats — turn any seat into a Reward Seat for double the usual points price
- Earn two reward vouchers when you earn 2,000 Tier Points in a membership year
- 2,000 bonus birthday points
Related: Do Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points Expire?
Final Thoughts
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is one of those not-so-secret, secret loyalty programs that can deliver incredible value. Having elite status with the airline can make it all that much sweeter. And while this status match won't make sense for everyone, if you already have elite status with a qualifying program and plan on flying Virgin Atlantic in the next year, you may as well go for the match.
