Air India - Status match Best Route?

[AbsolutelyAnything]

Hey guys,

I have a trip coming up to India next month flying from Sydney to Delhi, Delhi to Mumbai, Mumbai to Bangalore, Bangalore to Delhi and then back to Sydney.

I usually fly with Qantas as a Platinum FF and have no status with other airlines, so no lounge access etc.

Due to cost (company policies), it's likely I'll have to fly with Air India.

Any advice on a status match with Air India or another Star Alliance that would get me their equivalent Platinum privileges for the trip?

 

[Daver6]

I can't help you with your question. However, I too am travelling to India shortly for work and in a similar boat to you. Speaking to local colleagues, Vistara is the local airline of choice. Y+ fares marginally dearer than Y, so you might want to explore that as an option. It won't get you into lounges though.

I think it;s from around October that the Indigo partnership goes live. It will be interesting to see if there are any recprical lounge benefits there (assuming Indigo has lounges?)

 

[Guvner]

You could try these: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fl...ickid=0DKzYaQgsxyITJW0fEwxs2ifUkD2HTWh5Qs1R40

United Airlines, Star Alliance status match targets Qantas

This status match is your shortcut to as many as 18 months of top-tier frequent flyer perks.

www.executivetraveller.com

Fast-track your way to Star Alliance Gold with ANA's new status match offer - The Points Guy

ANA is offering status matches to elite members of several competing programs.

thepointsguy.com

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

You could try these: https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fl...ickid=0DKzYaQgsxyITJW0fEwxs2ifUkD2HTWh5Qs1R40

United Airlines, Star Alliance status match targets Qantas

This status match is your shortcut to as many as 18 months of top-tier frequent flyer perks.

www.executivetraveller.com

Fast-track your way to Star Alliance Gold with ANA's new status match offer - The Points Guy

ANA is offering status matches to elite members of several competing programs.

thepointsguy.com

Thanks, will give that a try

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

Ah, looks like the United status match doesn't give partner airlines lounge access for the duration...

 

[Mattg]

Ah, looks like the United status match doesn't give partner airlines lounge access for the duration...

Officially, no. In practice, yes.

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

So, I got this back from United:

"We are unable to approve your status match as documentation differs from the formatting guidelines we have for this airline."

I sent them a screen shot of my digital membership card as we all know Qantas hasn't been sending out plastic ones...

 

[Guvner]

Does it have an expiry date on the card?
I sent my Finnair Plat digital card (screen shot) in yesterday to see what happens and, voila, today I received a Status Match to Premier Plat (Star Alliance Gold).



<edit> Checked my QF digital card and it does have an expiry

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

It does yes, expiry, level etc.

They included a link in the email to the requirements but it doesn't mention anything at all!

 

[Guvner]

Ah, looks like the United status match doesn't give partner airlines lounge access for the duration...

The wording in the fine print is "may not"...

 

[Mattg]

So, I got this back from United:

"We are unable to approve your status match as documentation differs from the formatting guidelines we have for this airline."

I sent them a screen shot of my digital membership card as we all know Qantas hasn't been sending out plastic ones...

Can you send them anything else? Copies of your Qantas activity statements or a physical letter from Qantas saying you're Gold, for example?
You might need to politely point out that they are only issuing digital membership cards at the moment, which is exactly the same as what United is doing!

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

OK, I think I may see the issue, the image I sent was a .jpeg file, when sending them a message through their feedback form it said my photo was in the wrong format.... so I renamed it to .jpg and let's see what happens.

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

Got the status match from United, let's see if this works and I get the privileges and lounge access for my trip

 

[AbsolutelyAnything]

Got the status match from United, let's see if this works and I get the privileges and lounge access for my trip

Well I’m in the Air India lounge at Delhi airport! They scanned my United barcode in the app and let me in.

I didn’t try a Star Alliance lounge on the way out, I used the Amex lounge instead.

One thing I will say, it’s bloody hot in here! The AI lounge is on a mezzanine level with no enclosed air conditioning, however, it has comfortable seats and alcohol.