How To Match Your Airline Status to Virgin Atlantic for 12 Months of SkyTeam Perks

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 11 airlines. Considering the recent changes to the British Airways Club program, the timing of this opportunity is surely not coincidental.

Here are the details on this Virgin Atlantic status match opportunity.

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, United, and Hawaiian in the U.S. and British Airways in the U.K.

You can match to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club if you're an elite status holder in one of 11 airline programs. This Virgin status match is free to submit, but it's contingent on two things:

1. You must have a future revenue or redemption flight booked through Virgin Atlantic or a codeshare partner with a ‘VS' flight number.
   • Book either Premium or Upper Class for Flying Class Gold.
   • Book any flight in any cabin for Flying Club Silver.
2. Your lack of prior Flying Club status.
   • The Gold match is restricted to travelers who have never had Flying Club status previously.
   • The Silver match is 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.

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

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:

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:

• 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
• Pool your Virgin Points in a Household account to fast-track your way to rewards
• Maternity and paternity membership pause
• Gift companion and upgrade vouchers to your loved ones

Credit: Virgin Atlantic

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
• Earn two reward vouchers when you earn 2,000 Tier Points in a membership year
• Supplementary Silver membership for a friend
• 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. Meanwhile, British Airways is shaking things up with a major overhaul of its loyalty program, which will be rebranded as British Airways Club starting April 1.

As part of the change, earning or retaining British Airways Gold status will require a staggering £20,000 (~$25,000) in spending, which will likely be a big hurdle for most travelers.

If that price tag feels out of reach (but you value those perks), and you already hold elite status with British Airways or another eligible airline, now might be the perfect time to match your status to Virgin Atlantic.

While this status match won’t be the right fit for everyone, it’s a no-brainer if you already hold elite status with a qualifying airline and plan to fly Virgin Atlantic in the next year. Just a few minutes of your time could mean a much better travel (and loyalty program) experience.

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