Abu Dhabi-based carrier Etihad is looking to bolster its rank of Etihad Guest elite members with an enticing status match offer for residents in Australia. Eligible frequent flyers can apply for 6 months of free Gold status at no charge.
Amidst the news of their impending break-up, Etihad is now targetting Velocity Frequent Flyer members. Jetsetters of other competing carriers can also register – including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Air India. Notably, these carriers all fly to Australia.
Javier Alija, Etihad Airways Vice President Global Sales & Distribution, says the match underscores Etihad’s dedication to the Australian market, especially Sydney and Melbourne.
“Australia is central to our network, and we want to demonstrate this through a special Status Match, with the expansion of services underscoring our investment and dedication to those down under.”
Etihad is also set to announce 10 new destinations on 25 November 2024.
How do I apply for the Etihad status match?
The Status Match application comes with a fee of US$59 for the Silver tier, but there’s no fee to match to Gold if you’re an Australian resident. If you’re accepted, that unlocks six months of those tier benefits (previously three months).
To extend it for a further 12 months, you need to fly one return Etihad journey within those six months. That’s essentially up to 18 months of elite status perks from one match. The sector needs to:
- be an Etihad-operated return flight anywhere in the network.
- earn at least 1 Etihad Guest Mile (so that excludes reward seats).
Etihad Guest Silver members earn 25% more Etihad Guest miles, enjoy priority check-in, free Economy seat selection for one passenger, extra checked luggage allowance and lounge access at Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Guest Gold is the one to aim for with 50% more Etihad Guest miles on flights, priority check-in, boarding and baggage, worldwide lounge access for the passenger + one guest before Etihad flights (as an optional Choice perk), plus reciprocal status perks when travelling on partner airlines (Virgin Australia until 30 June 2025).
If you’re not already an Etihad Guest member, be sure to sign up first. Then head over to the Status Match application form. This opportunity is especially enticing for Gold and higher members in Qantas Frequent Flyer who might want to enjoy reciprocal lounge access with Virgin Australia via the Etihad status match.
Which airlines can I match to Etihad?
For the current offer launching on 22 November 2024 for Australian residents, here are the airlines Etihad is currently matching. Notably, Qantas is not included in the current status match offer.
| Etihad Guest Tier | |||
| AIRLINE | SILVER | GOLD | PLATINUM |
| Air India
Flying Returns |
Silver | Gold Platinum |
– |
| British Airways
Executive Club |
Bronze | Gold Gold Guest List Premier Silver |
– |
| Emirates
Skywards |
Silver | Gold IO Platinum |
– |
| Qatar Airways
Privilege Club |
Silver | Gold Platinum |
– |
| Singapore Airlines
KrisFlyer |
Silver | Gold PPS PPS Solitare |
– |
| Turkish Airlines
Miles&Smiles |
Classic Plus | Elite Elite Plus |
– |
| Virgin Australia
Velocity |
Silver | Beyond Gold Platinum |
– |
Not eligible for the current offer? Take a look at StatusMatch.com to see if there are other opportunities for you.
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Just tried to do a Virgin Platinum match and they want a US$79 fee. Has something changed as it states in this article to match Gold it is free.
Hi Stephen, our article ran on November 22, and on that date, there was no fee. (I took advantage of the match myself, and can confirm that there was nothing to pay). However, Etihad has now amended its T&Cs of the offer to note that the waiver ended on December 8. You can still apply, but fees would be payable.
Content that we publish under News is generally considered static and relevant at the time the story ran, but may not always be up to date when something changes after publication. On these sorts of offers, you normally need to be very quick! However, US$79 for Etihad Gold status is still a solid deal if you’ll be in a position to use that status even just a couple of times – even more so if you can meet the renewal criteria to hold it for even longer.
The link to signup as an Etihad guest member is not working. Has anyone else come across this issue too? Anyone come across a workaround for this?
Hi Vikash, what’s the error message that you’re receiving? I just clicked the link and it appears to load the Etihad Guest sign-up page without issue.
Why do they need ID verification? Via a 3rd party no less…
I don’t get it – why not do a platinum : platinum match as well? If they want to take as many of the real big flyers as possible, this is a silly one to miss.
Hey Max… if you were to apply as a Velocity Platinum member, you might be pleasantly surprised. No guarantees, but enough said. Wink.
So as per the most latest post you responded to, platinum just gets gold and there were no pleasant surprises?
Hi Jono, the official offer from Etihad was to match Velocity Gold and Platinum to Etihad Guest Gold. However, some Velocity Platinum members reported being matched to Etihad Guest Platinum, which is a higher-level match than Etihad was promoting. Ultimately, Velocity Platinum members should expect that a successful match would be to the Etihad Guest Gold tier, but if the status is Etihad Guest Platinum instead, it’s a nice unwritten bonus to enjoy.
What would be the cheapest Etihad flight to extend gold for a year ?