Etihad is offering status matches to the status of the number of airlines. Earlier, we saw some airlines offer status matches based on the traveller’s residence. And Etihad is also continuing this trend. Only residents of India & Australia are eligible for the Etihad Status Match offer. It does show India is a focus country for Etihad. It already connects Abu Dhabi to 10 Indian cities and two Australian cities. Here is what we know.
Etihad Status Match Offer Basics
If you have a select airline elite status, you are eligible to match to an Etihad elite status as long as you’re from India & Australia. This upgraded status is valid for three months and is further extended by 12 months. However, within three months from upgraded status, you should take one revenue flight to get it extended by 12 months.
If you matched to Etihad Silver Status, then you would have to pay $59, whereas for gold, it is $99.
Benefits
Here is the summary of benefits that you will get with Etihad Elite Status:
Silver Elite:
- 25% Bonus Etihad Guest Miles on Etihad Airways and Select Partner Airlines
- Guaranteed Economy Seat if Booked before 48 hours
- Priority Check-in (Economy at Abu Dhabi and Business at other Airports)
- One Free Economy Standard Seat Selection
- 25% Discount on onboard Wi-Fi
- 30% Discount on a seat in economy space
- Complimentary Lounge Access at Abu Dhabi International Airport for self
- 10KG Baggage Allowance (Except US & Canada)
- 23KG Baggage Allowance When Travelling to the US or Canada in Economy
- 32KG Baggage Allowance When Travelling to the US or Canada in Business or First Class
- 7% Discount on Baggage Fees
Gold Elite:
- Dedicated 24*7 Contact Centre
- 50% Bonus Miles on Etihad Airways and Select Airline Partners
- Guaranteed Economy Seat if booking before 24 hours
- Priority Check-in at Premium Business counters
- Fast Track Immigration and Baggage Delivery at select airports
- Priority Boarding
- Two Free Economy Standard Seat Selection (on the Same Flight)
- 50% discount for two seats in Economy Space
- 75% Discount on onboard Wi-Fi
- Self and one guest Business Class lounge Access at Abu Dhabi Airport
- Self and one guest Premium lounge Access at other airports
- 15KG Baggage Allowance (Except US & Canada)
- 23KG Baggage Allowance When Travelling to the US or Canada in Economy
- 32KG Baggage Allowance When Travelling to the US or Canada in Business or First Class
- 10% Discount on Baggage Fees
- Avis Budget Tier Match
- Chauffeur service for business class and first class redemption
How to apply for Etihad Status Match?
Here is the process to apply:
- Visit the website and log in; if you are not a member, then register here and apply.
- Fill in the details like name, last name, Etihad registered email ID, and frequent flyer number.
- Choose the country of Residence.
- Select the airline for which you hold an elite status.
- Choose your Elite Status and enter a frequent flyer number.
- Provide proof of elite status and Govt ID
- And, Fee Payment
Within five days, if you are eligible, you will receive a confirmation for a status match.
Which Airline Elite Status are eligible?
Here is the list of airline elite status and what Etihad Status is eligible for:
| Airline | ETIHAD SILVER | ETIHAD GOLD |
| Big Loyalty [Air Asia] | GOLD | BLACK PLATINUM |
| Air Astana | SILVER | DIAMOND GOLD |
| Air India Express [Earlier Air Asia India] | EXPLORER | HIGHFLYER JETSETTER |
| Air India | SILVER EDGE CLUB | GOLDEN EDGE CLUB THE MAHARAJAH CLUB |
| British Airways | BRONZE | GOLD GOLD GUEST LIST PREMIER SILVER |
| Cathay Pacific | SILVER | DIAMOND DIAMOND PLUS GOLD INVITATION |
| Emirates | SILVER | GOLD IO PLATINUM |
| Japan Airlines | CRYSTAL | GLOBAL CLUB / GLOBAL CLUB CRYSTAL GLOBAL CLUB DIAMOND GLOBAL CLUB PREMIER GLOBAL CLUB SAPPHIRE |
| Korean Air | MORNING CALM CLUB | MILLION MILER CLUB MORNING CALM PREMIUM CLUB |
| Lufthansa | FREQUENT TRAVELLER | HON CIRCLE SENATOR |
| Philippine Airlines | ELITE | MILLION MILER PREMIER ELITE |
| Qantas | SILVER | CHAIRMAN’S LOUNGE GOLD PLATINUM PLATINUM ONE |
| Qatar Airways | SILVER | GOLD PLATINUM |
| Royal Brunei | SILVER | GOLD |
| Singapore Airlines | SILVER | GOLD PPS PPS SOLITARE |
| Thai Airways | SILVER | GOLD PLATINUM |
| Turkish Airlines | CLASSIC PLUS | ELITE ELITE PLUS |
| United Airlines | PREMIER SILVER | GLOBAL SERVICES PREMIER 1K PREMIER GOLD PREMIER PLATINUM |
| Vietnam Airlines | SILVER | GOLD PLATINUM TITANIUM |
| Vistara | SILVER | GOLD PLATINUM |
Should you apply?
Firstly, this is a generous offer. I mean, low-cost airlines like Air Asia & Air India Express elite status can be matched with Etihad elite status. You can become an Air India Express Explorer with just five flights and a high flyer with ten flights. Meanwhile, Vistara Elite status can also be achieved with co-branded credit cards.
You should apply for this promotion if you travel on Etihad in the next three months with a revenue flight. So, you can extend it for 12 months and enjoy it for 15 months. If you don’t travel frequently with Etihad, applying doesn’t make sense since there is a cost attached.
You also have another option of having SBI Etihad Credit Cards to get Etihad elite status. So, there is no end of the story here.
Related: How to earn an Airline Elite Status in India?
Frequently Asked Questions on Etihad Status Match Offer
No.
No.
Initially, it is for three months. Extended by 12 months if one revenue flight is taken within three months. A total of 15 months.
No. You must pay $59 for silver and $99 for gold status.
No. You aren’t eligible if you don’t have India or Australia GOVT IDs.
No. However, it can be ended without any prior notice.
It will take five business days to show you upgraded status.
No. Only Silver and Gold Elite status are offered.
Air India Express, Air India & Vistara.
Qantas. Even though Etihad Partners with Virgin Australia, the status match isn’t available.
Bottomline
Etihad Status match offer is a generous offer. If you are already flying Etihad in the next three months with a revenue flight and are eligible for this promotion, apply. However, non-frequent flyers could feel the pinch of the cost of the offer later on.
