- The status match offer is for US-based Executive Club members
- Those with the highest levels at eight major airlines can get silver or gold on BA
- Offer applies to airlines including Delta and United
British Airways is introducing a status match offer so that frequent flyers of competing airlines such as Delta or United can gain access to the posh lounges and other benefits.
Top members of eight loyalty programs can gain gold or silver status with BA’s Executive Club for free under this offer.
This gives access to BA’s lounges, extra free baggage, priority check-in, security and boarding and a greater chance of upgrades.
It also unlocks the same benefits when you fly with more than a dozen other airlines that are part of the same Oneworld alliance as BA, including American, Alaska, Cathay Pacific, Quantas, Qatar and Fiji.
See below for the full list of airlines, what status is required for each airline, plus a separate box with the five steps to sign up….
Gold status with British Airways gives access to the Chelsea Lounge at JFK in New York, which is operated by BA and American Airlines. It is a lounge for First Class passengers and also with gold status
BA lounges and those of partner airlines such as American have chic bars with free drinks
| Airline | Silver status from British Airways | British Airways Gold status |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | Gold | Platinum |
| Air Canada | 50k | 75K and Super Elite |
| Lufthansa | Senator | Hon Circle |
| United Airlines | Premier gold | Premier Platinum, Premier 1k |
| Air France/KLM | Gold | Platinum |
| Scandinavian airlines | Gold | Diamond, Pandion |
| Virgin Atlantic Ocean | Silver | Gold |
It is very rare for BA to match the status – as obtaining gold involves spending tens of thousands of dollars on flights and offers enviable benefits.
See below for the full list of airlines, what status is required for each airline, plus a separate box with the five steps to sign up….
BA will match the status with three U.S. and Canadian airline programs: Delta’s SkyMiles, United’s Mileage Plus and Air Canada’s Aeroplan.
Members of five European airlines’ loyalty programs can also get gold or silver: Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, Luthansa and Scandinavian.
See the table below with the eight airlines and the required status.
The offer is valid for new and existing BA Executive Club members who are members of one of the programs listed above with the corresponding status.
Customers with top status with the eight airlines can register online.
They must provide valid proof of eligibility for frequent flyer status, and the outcome of the application will be shared via email.
Successful candidates will be upgraded to the corresponding level for an initial period of six months.
Successful candidates will be upgraded to the corresponding level for an initial period of six months.
This can be extended to a full year if they book two eligible flights (or one return flight).
An eligible flight is a BA-marketed business or first class flight – operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, Aer Lingus or Finnair – departing from the US, Canada or Mexico.
The full terms and conditions are here on the BA website.