Virgin Atlantic, new status match campaign and how to apply for it if you have Alitalia Millemiglia status
A year after the first status match campaign, Virgin Atlantic is returning to the charge of frequent flyers of the [...]
Virgin Atlantic
A year after the first status match campaign, Virgin Atlantic is returning to the charge of competing airline frequent flyers. If last year's offer was Valid initially for British Airways program members only., for then be expanded to a couple of other companies, now there are several loyalty programs involved.
The 2022 campaign
In this article:
This time the British company opens the doors to members of as many as 21 programs from as many alliances. Proposing, depending on the level possessed, Silver or Gold status in the Flying Club.
If recognized, the status will be valid for 12 months and may possibly be renewed according to the new requirements, made easier, beyond the normal deadline.
Here is the list of accepted programs and the levels considered for status match:
| Loyalty program | II Level | I Level |
| Air New Zealand Airpoints | Gold | Elite Plus |
| Alaska MVP | MVP Gold | MVP Gold 75k |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Platinum Pro | Exec Platinum |
| BA Executive Club | Silver | Gold |
| Cathay Pacific Marco Polo | Gold | Platinum |
| EL Al Matmid | Gold | Platinum |
| Emirates Skywards | Gold | Platinum |
| Etihad Guest | Gold | Platinum |
| Hawaiian Airlines Hawaiian Miles | Gold | Platinum |
| Hong Kong Airlines Fortune Wings | Gold | Platinum |
| Iberia Iberia Plus | Gold | Platinum |
| Lufthansa Miles and More | Senator | Hon Circle |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | Gold | Platinum |
| Qatar Privilege Club | Gold | Platinum |
| Scandanavian Airlines SAS Eurobonus | Gold | Diamond |
| Singapore Kris Flyer | Silver | Gold |
| South African Voyager | Silver | Gold, Platinum |
| Swiss Miles and More | Senator | Hon Circle |
| Turkish Miles&Smiles | Elite | Elite Plus |
| United Mileage Plus | Premier Platinum | Premier 1k |
| Virgin Australia Veolocity | Gold | Platinum |
How to take advantage of it if you have status with Millemiglia?
The companies listed do not include Delta, Air France, and KLM because they are members of the same JV and especially because, if you have an elite level in one of these 3 companies, you get the benefits even when you fly Virgin. It also lacks both Alitalia/Millemiglia that ITA Airways/Volare: the former because defunct and uninteresting to VA, thel second simply because the members do not even possess the membership number yet.
There is, however, the possibility of triangulation between Millemiglia status and two programs that are accepted through as many status match campaigns. One can in fact take advantage of Lufthansa's status match offer. and, once the status is obtained, apply to Virgin. The second option is to switch Millemiglia to Emirates And then request the match from VA.
What you need to do to win the challenge
It is not as simple as in the case of Lufthansa, which only requires you to send an email, but no money is required either as with Emirates. The challenge in this case is to have a ticket booked with Virgin Atlantic to fly in the coming months. To be eligible for the Gold level, you must-in addition to Level I status in one of the programs listed-have a ticket to travel in premium economy or Upper Class. For the Silver level, a ticket in any of the VA classes is required.
What the status in VA is for.
Virgin Atlantic does not participate in any sky alliance, But it has a very close partnership with Air France, KLM and Delta. So having status does not bring much benefit when flying with other airlines. However, if you travel Upper Class having or not having status brings very little difference, just the bonus of FC miles that you accumulate.
At the same time, however, having the status and accumulating points can help you get some special award tickets, such as flying first class in the best cabin in the world, namely the first cabin of All Nippon Airlines: a 15,000-plus ticket that is bookable with Virgin Atlantic miles and that I booked just a few months ago for next June.
In conclusion
It's good to see how they continue these "skirmishes" between airlines., which only favor travelers who can gain small or large benefits from these campaigns. Although in reality the status match is an opportunity that in the end keeps everyone happy: the companies who get customer data and the customers who can take advantage of benefits they are not entitled to.
