An Airline Elite Status is beneficial. It brings multiple benefits. In most cases, you will get Priority Check-in and Priority Handing. Similar to Hotel Elite Status, there may be other opportunities like upgrade benefits, such as an upgrade of cabin class and discount on points redemption. Only Air India & Vistara have frequent flyer programs in India, which gives elite status. However, if you may be flying some other airlines often or plan to fly it soon, then having an elite status can help. A few options are available to Indian travellers, so they don’t have to take a lot of flights to get elite status. Here is our guide on how to earn an Airline Elite Status in India.
Why Earn an Airline Elite Status?
Airlines welcome their elite status holders wholeheartedly. They know you have been loyal or will stay loyal to them and give you certain privileges in return. As your relationship with airlines grows stronger based on the number of points or flights, you will earn more privileges.
For Example, You’ll likely receive a Priority Check-in and Priority Baggage facility. These privileges save time and are valuable in today’s era. You might even receive an upgrade if your Elite Status has such a benefit in a few cases. And, even in rare cases, even when your elite status doesn’t have that benefit.
Also, with Elite Status, your miles-earning capability increases. Imagine earning 20% bonus miles. That means you can fly 17% less to reach similar miles.
If you value comfort, time, and experiences, then Airline Elite Status is for you. But this might not work if you want to reach your destination regardless of what the airlines offer.
Here are the few Airline Elite statuses you can achieve in India.
United MileagePlus Premier Silver Elite Status with Marriott
United Airlines is among the top 4 major airlines in North America. It is also a part of Star Alliance, of which Air India is also a part. You will unlikely earn United MileagePlus Premier Elite status in India by flying. You must take at least four United or United Express flights to earn even silver. There is also a requirement to earn qualified points. Even though it is difficult for a normal Indian Traveller, there is a way to earn a United MileagePlus Premier Silver Elite Status.
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite[or above], you can earn a United Silver Status. To be a Marriot Titanium Elite, you need to complete 75-night stays.
If you’re already a Marriott Titanium Elite or Above Status Holder, you can register here for complimentary United Silver Status.
Singapore Airlines Silver or Gold Status with Marriott
Recently, Marriott and Singapore Airlines announced a preferred airline partnership in which they reciprocate the status with each other’s members.
If you are Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Member, you will get complimentary KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status for 12 months. If these members complete four revenue flights on Singapore Airlines within six months of registering, you will be upgraded to Singapore Gold Status.
If you are a Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite, you can get Singapore Silver status by flying two revenue flights with Singapore Airlines.
Check the complete details here and register for this promotion.
Just Launched: Two KrisFlyer SBI Co-Branded Cards which can also get you a Krisflyer Silver or Gold Status.
Qatar Airways Silver, Gold & Platinum Elite Status
In June’2023, British Airways & Qatar Airways partnered with IndusInd bank and launched their Co-Branded Credit Card. If you choose Qatar as your preferred airline, you can get Qatar Privilege Club Gold status for a year.
Another way to become Qatar Elite is by linking your Accor Gold Elite or above status account and taking a paid flight with Qatar Airways. However, the number of members that can become elite in this way is just thousands a year.
The table below shows which Accor Status can Earn Which Qatar Airways Elite Status.
| Accor Elite Status | Qatar Airways Elite Status |
| ALL Gold | Privilege Club Silver |
| ALL Platinum | Privilege Club Gold |
| ALL Diamond | Privilege Club Platinum |
To become Accor Gold, you need to complete 30-night stays, of which you can easily get 20-night credit by buying an Accor Plus membership.
Also, Once you link an airline, you can’t unlink it for the next 12 months. Once you become a Qatar Airways Elite, then you match it with OneWorld Alliance Status to get benefits across member airlines.
Emirates Skywards Silver & Gold Elite
Emirates is one of the best Airlines in the world, and it is not part of any alliance. It also has direct flights from India. You’re also likely to be connected to the West with Emirates due to its flights to several International Destinations. To earn Emirates Silver Elite Status, you must earn 25000 Tier Miles (by Flying) or 25 flights. These qualifications are unlikely to be met if you don’t fly a lot internationally. Since India is a prominent market for Emirates and the biggest International Airline in India in terms of passenger flow, they have a Co-Branded Credit Card In India.
You can get any Emirates Skywards and ICICI Bank co-branded Credit Cards.
Emirates Silver Status:
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro credit card comes with Emirates Silver Elite Status. For the first year, it’s complimentary on payment of annual fees. But from 2nd year onward, qualification criteria kick in. You must spend INR 5 lac in the previous year to retain your Silver Elite status. It also has an Annual fee of INR 5000+ taxes.
Emirates Silver or Gold Status:
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde credit card also has Emirates Silver Elite Status. You remain Emirates Silver for as long as your Card is active. You don’t have to spend INR 5 lac to retain silver. This Card also allows you to earn Emirates Gold Status. This card comes with an Annual Fee of INR 10000+ Taxes.
To earn Emirates Gold Status, you need to spend INR 15 lac, including INR 50K, on Emirates within 12 months from the date of issuance of the Credit card. It is unclear whether you will remain Emirates Gold for one year or as long as your card is active. Anyway, Emirates Gold could be worth it for frequent travellers.
I haven’t asked ICICI whether the benefit of Emirates Gold is on spending INR 15 Lacs yearly or if it is available as long as the card is active once I have spent INR 15 Lac in the Joining year.
Etihad Guest Silver & Gold Elite
Here is another airline from the Middle East with a Major Hub in Abu Dhabi giving Complimentary Elite Status by having a Co-Branded Credit Card. Etihad Airways names its frequent flyer program Etihad Guest. You can earn Etihad Guest Silver Elite and Gold Elite Status in India. There are two Co-Branded Etihad Credit Cards in India.
Related: Etihad Status Match Offer
Etihad Guest Silver Elite:
With this Etihad Guest SBI Card, you get a Silver Elite status for six months from the Card Issuance date. If you take two flights with Etihad within six months from the card issuance date, your Silver Elite Status is extended for another six months. It comes with Annual Fees of INR 1499+ taxes.
To retain Silver Elite Status, you need to earn 20000 Tier miles. With this card, you earn 1 Tier mile (In Addition to Normal Miles) on a spend of INR 50. You must spend INR 10 Lac in a year to retain silver. Once you reach an Annual Spend of INR 10 Lac, you get one Companion Ticket Voucher to fly on Etihad Airways. Also, you can’t be upgraded to Gold Elite on this card as you can earn a maximum of 20000 Tier miles with the card, whereas Gold requires 40000 Tier miles.
Etihad Guest Gold Elite:
With this Etihad Guest SBI Premier Card, you get a Gold Elite status for six months from the Card Issuance date. If you take two flights with Etihad within six months from the card issuance date, your Gold Elite Status is extended for another six months. It comes with Annual Fees of INR 4499+ taxes. To retain Gold Elite Status, you must earn 40000 tier miles. To earn 40000 Tier miles, you will have to spend INR 20 Lac in a year. But this card has two advantages. You remain silver if you earn 20000 Tier miles in a year. Second, there is a Free Companion Ticket Voucher to Fly on Etihad Airways if you spend INR 8 Lac Annually.
Both of the above cards require Significant Spending to remain an Elite. But they can bring value with Companion Ticket if you travel in First Class or Business Class on Long Routes.
Singapore Airlines with Shangri-La
Singapore Airlines has a status match agreement with Shangri-La Golden Circle. If you are a Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade Status, you can earn KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status. This status remains valid for one year. From 2nd year onwards, this status match is not valid, and you will have to meet the requirement for KrisFlyer Elite Gold to remain so.
This Status match is not easy to achieve in India as there are only two Shangri-La Hotels in India. But, if travel across Asia, then it can be achieved. You must complete 20 nights or earn 6000 Tier Points to earn Jade Status and match with Singapore Airlines.
Vistara [No Longer Available]
In India, Vistara Elite Status is easy to achieve. It is our home brand and gives multiple opportunities to earn Elite Status. You can Elite Status by flying or having a Co-Branded Vistara Credit Card. Since it is not part of any alliance, you won’t get any benefit from International Airline Partners except at Singapore Airlines and Changi Airport. But such benefits are limited. You can only apply for IDFC First Vistara card to get silver status.
Air India
A few months back, Air India revamped its frequent flyer program and simplified the tier requirement. Now, all members earn 6 tier points per INR 100 spent. This is just like Vistara. A silver status requires 15K tier points, so you must spend around INR 2.5 Lac. That is significant. However, one round-trip business class flight to London may get you here. Another way is to complete the number of flights. In any case, you must complete or earn certain points or flights on Air India.
Since Air India is a Star Alliance member, you can use your elite status to get benefits and access to Star Alliance Airlines. Occasionally, an offer may be made to earn elite status faster.
Airline Elite Status Match
Few Airlines Officially Run Status Match. For Example, Virgin Atlantic will status match at least for these 12 airlines. However, they can also do status matches for other airlines if you have a good travel history. Typically, airlines would either status-match you instantly or match you to a lower tier and upgrade once you complete a few flights.
You should not do Status Match just like that until you know you can get some benefit out of it. Since Elite Status is valid for one year, and from the second year onward, you must achieve tier miles or a minimum number of flights to retain your status. Also, you won’t be a status match again if you haven’t had a good flight history.
Airlines that have offered Status Matches in the past [list updated as & when new offer comes]
- Etihad Airways
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Vietnam Airlines
- Star Alliance Airlines for SAS Elite members
Fast Track Promotions
From time to time, airlines also run fast-track promotions, wherein you have to travel fewer flights to get to a higher status. These promotions are also a great way to get higher elite status and save time and cost. For Example, you can fast-track to Japan Airlines Sapphire status with this promotion.
Bottomline
Airline Elite Status are valuable. They give you comfort, more time and better experiences while travelling. It is worth considering for reaching an Elite Status. But make sure you know what works for you, as the mere earning status of an Airline that doesn’t have much to offer may not result in valuable experiences.
