Delta SkyMiles Status Match Discussion

[Notyourbag]

Has anyone had recent experience successfully matching from VA gold or platinum?

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

One of my direct reports did it last month from VA before a last-minute work trip to the States with success. Platinum for platinum.

 

[AustSerbKor]

Has anyone had recent experience successfully matching from VA gold or platinum?

I applied on the evening of 18 February with Virgin Gold and got my Delta Gold status on the evening of 19 February.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I applied on the evening of 18 February with Virgin Gold and got my Delta Gold status on the evening of 19 February.

That is good to hear and I would like to temper your expectations when it comes to Delta status, particularly around lounges since now you must be flying Delta (or its partners) in Premium Economy or better internationally to access their Delta lounges. Whilst I disagree with the decision, I am fortunate in that I have an AmEx Platinum card which means I can get in on any Delta itinerary by simply showing the card.

In terms of whether or not it makes sense to attain status with any airline (Delta included) it's a multi-faceted consideration. You need to weigh all the benefits (not just lounge access) and compare it to the cost. Case in point, my employer will likely put me on a round the world trip later this year. A good chunk of this trip will include travel on TAP Air Portugal, American, Delta, SAS, Norwegian, United, Vietnam Airlines and Hawaiian, often on the cheapest fare which includes no or limited luggage. Well, if I'm travelling for a month around the world I'll need one bag (perhaps 2) so that simply won't cut it. However, because I have status with all the major alliances Star Alliance (United), SkyTeam (Delta) and OneWorld (Qantas), I know I'll have priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, seat selection and of course the aforementioned lounge access. It also means should my TAP flight to Boston gets cancelled, I'll be top in the pecking order when it comes to rebooking. How much is all of that worth? YMMV

-RooFlyer88

 

[Notyourbag]

My status match took 1 week - VA Platinum to Delta Platinum.

Used it in San Jose, Costa Rica on Friday and had a really ordinary experience. My bag was 25kg and the check in attendant wanted me to remove items to get it down to 23kgs. Didn't want to budge on this. No lounge access (even at their 3rd party independent lounge), no comfort plus upgrade. Only benefit was priority boarding and priority baggage. Won't be trying to keep any skyteam status. They are very much the poor cousin to Oneworld and star alliance.

 

[jase05]

My status match took 1 week - VA Platinum to Delta Platinum.

Used it in San Jose, Costa Rica on Friday and had a really ordinary experience. My bag was 25kg and the check in attendant wanted me to remove items to get it down to 23kgs. Didn't want to budge on this. No lounge access (even at their 3rd party independent lounge), no comfort plus upgrade. Only benefit was priority boarding and priority baggage. Won't be trying to keep any skyteam status. They are very much the poor cousin to Oneworld and star alliance.

I can’t comment on the America’s but I’ve been pretty well looked after by SkyTeam in Asia and although I haven’t used them a lot in Europe they have been ok when I have and were pretty good to acknowledge status. I no longer have any ST status though but we fly J all the time so don’t really need to chase it

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Used it in San Jose, Costa Rica on Friday and had a really ordinary experience. My bag was 25kg and the check in attendant wanted me to remove items to get it down to 23kgs. Didn't want to budge on this. No lounge access (even at their 3rd party independent lounge), no comfort plus upgrade. Only benefit was priority boarding and priority baggage. Won't be trying to keep any skyteam status. They are very much the poor cousin to Oneworld and star alliance.

Interesting! Was that flight with Delta or with some other SkyTeam airline? If Delta, I would simply have paid for the baggage fee then requested a refund on the fee from Delta afterwards (or chargeback the fee on CC since service wasn't delivered). In terms of the lounge, per SkyTeam rules only AeroMexico passengers can access the 3rd party lounge. What I will tell you is it doesn't make sense to base your opinions on airline status on just one experience alone. I cannot tell you the number of times myself and others on this forum have been shafted in terms of not recognizing status, particularly when travelling at outstation airports like SJO. In my case travelling Air Canada from LA to Toronto I was told I couldn't use my upgrade credits to upgrade into business class because the flight was ticketed by United, despite Air Canada's own website saying that is fine. And this came from the station manager at LAX! There are stories of people with QF status being denied QF lounge access at airports in NZ due to them being on a JQ flight. What matters is if you see the benefits in the long run!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Notyourbag]

Interesting! Was that flight with Delta or with some other SkyTeam airline? If Delta, I would simply have paid for the baggage fee then requested a refund on the fee from Delta afterwards (or chargeback the fee on CC since service wasn't delivered). In terms of the lounge, per SkyTeam rules only AeroMexico passengers can access the 3rd party lounge. What I will tell you is it doesn't make sense to base your opinions on airline status on just one experience alone. I cannot tell you the number of times myself and others on this forum have been shafted in terms of not recognizing status, particularly when travelling at outstation airports like SJO. In my case travelling Air Canada from LA to Toronto I was told I couldn't use my upgrade credits to upgrade into business class because the flight was ticketed by United, despite Air Canada's own website saying that is fine. And this came from the station manager at LAX! There are stories of people with QF status being denied QF lounge access at airports in NZ due to them being on a JQ flight. What matters is if you see the benefits in the long run!

-RooFlyer88

Yep it was a Delta flight. I'm Star Alliance gold and flew Copa San Juan to San Jose (via Panama) and they allowed an extra 4kgs of baggage without drama. Unfortunately didn't have time to use the Copa lounge in PTY due to a tight connection (have read reviews it's a bit of a dump anyway)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Yep it was a Delta flight. I'm Star Alliance gold and flew Copa San Juan to San Jose (via Panama) and they allowed an extra 4kgs of baggage without drama. Unfortunately didn't have time to use the Copa lounge in PTY due to a tight connection (have read reviews it's a bit of a dump anyway)

In those cases I'd check it in anyway, pay the fee and then request a refund or worse case charge it back on the credit card. Then maybe write a complaint to Delta about this in the hopes of getting some extra miles for the trouble.

 

[AustSerbKor]

That is good to hear and I would like to temper your expectations when it comes to Delta status, particularly around lounges since now you must be flying Delta (or its partners) in Premium Economy or better internationally to access their Delta lounges. Whilst I disagree with the decision, I am fortunate in that I have an AmEx Platinum card which means I can get in on any Delta itinerary by simply showing the card.

-RooFlyer88

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
We (3) are booked to fly Korean Air from Sydney later this month and I was hoping to take advantage of priority check in and security as Mrs Korea has insisted we are flying scum class as it's a day flight. If (when) I don't get lounge access, my HyundaiCard provides loungue access. I'll just have to shop Plaza Premium, Skyteam or The House for the least crowded lounge at 6 am which probably won't be Skyteam for a Korean Air departure.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
We (3) are booked to fly Korean Air from Sydney later this month and I was hoping to take advantage of priority check in and security as Mrs Korea has insisted we are flying scum class as it's a day flight. If (when) I don't get lounge access, my HyundaiCard provides loungue access. I'll just have to shop Plaza Premium, Skyteam or The House for the least crowded lounge at 6 am which probably won't be Skyteam for a Korean Air departure.

In terms of best lounge at Sydney International airport, I think there is some debate there. The lounges available include:

• Air New Zealand
• Emirates
• Qantas
• Singapore Air
• Centurion
• The House
• SkyTeam Lounge
• Plaza Premium Departures
• Plaza Premium Arrivals

So far I have been to every lounge on that list aside from SkyTeam, Plaza Premium and Singapore Air. If travelling in J or have the right status and are travelling at the right time I would make the argument that the Emirates lounge is the best. Excellent food, beverage, restrooms and often very uncrowded too! That being said, travelling on Korean Air you wouldn't have access to Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qantas, or Singapore lounges. Centurion lounge is okay in the sense that there is a decent food and beverage offering although the space is limited as are the views. The House lounge has slightly worse food than Centurion but does have better views and way more space.

One thing to consider is looking at what credit cards you hold and whether they provide you with lounge access. In my case, I hold the AmEx Platinum card which means I have complimentary access to the Centurion lounge, The House, and Plaza Premium lounges right out of the gate. Whether it's worth the $700 CAD/year annual fee is very much a case of YMMV. In my case, I've had 12 lounge visits from my AmEx card having held the card for 8 months. But keep in mind too I hold the card for more than just lounge visits such as the IAP.

-RooFlyer88

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it.
We (3) are booked to fly Korean Air from Sydney later this month and I was hoping to take advantage of priority check in and security as Mrs Korea has insisted we are flying scum class as it's a day flight. If (when) I don't get lounge access, my HyundaiCard provides loungue access. I'll just have to shop Plaza Premium, Skyteam or The House for the least crowded lounge at 6 am which probably won't be Skyteam for a Korean Air departure.

I went to Skyteam lounge 3 months ago, the food was quite average but not crowded.

I went to the House 3 years ago and the food was fantastic. But that was pre-covid so everything can change.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I went to the House 3 years ago and the food was fantastic. But that was pre-covid so everything can change.

Yes but was that when the House was operated by Etihad? If so, then I suspect the catering would have changed from what I could tell when I visited back in December the buffet was standard fare for international lounge buffets, not much to write home about but nothing to really complain about either. There was a sit down dining option that I think you have to pay extra for with food to order which I reckon would likely be a cut above the buffet experience.

 

[Lawlass]

Hey Brains Trust. I just got the Platinum status match. I'd like to book CI in PE from MEL-JFK via Taipei as a QF reward flight next month. Can I add my Skyteam number to that booking? And will it give me lounge access in both MEL and Taipei?

Also, it is a bit confusing about 'Choice benefits'. How do I go about choosing one of these?

Thanks anyone who can help

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hey Brains Trust. I just got the Platinum status match. I'd like to book CI in PE from MEL-JFK via Taipei as a QF reward flight next month. Can I add my Skyteam number to that booking? And will it give me lounge access in both MEL and Taipei?

In theory yes you should be able to add your DL number after making the award booking with QF. Generally this can be done via manage my booking or worse case at check-in (either online or at counter). The benefits of doing so would include additional baggage allowance, priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding and possibly priority security (although that can vary from carrier to carrier). In addition if CI charges for seat selection, the fees would either be waived or reduced considerably. I say this as someone who is a DL Gold member and took KL flights last month.

In terms of what lounges you'll have access to flying CI as a DL Platinum member, it would be the Marhaba lounge at MEL and the CI lounge at TPE. The visited the Marhaba lounge last month in MEL as I've got Priority Pass through AmEx Platinum and would argue that it is one of the nicer lounges in the international terminal of MEL. Unlike the QF business lounge it's not located in an underground bunker. Oh and the food is nice too. Indeed, sister site Point Hacks had a similar opinion as well.

One thing you did not mention which might influence things is whether you have frequent flyer status with Qantas. If so, then in some circumstances you might receive your QF elite benefits travelling on a classic award, although the answer to this is well beyond my pay grade so I'll leave it to others with knowledge to comment on.

Also, it is a bit confusing about 'Choice benefits'. How do I go about choosing one of these?

Did you meet the requirements to extend your matched status? If you haven't flown 18,750 MQM or 25 MQS with SkyTeam partners or Delta you won't be able to choose those benefits. One thing to keep in mind too is that award flights generally won't attract any MQM or MQS on Delta, even if you are crediting the flight to that program (I say generally because Delta award tickets do). Once you have qualified for the extension, check out this article from TPG that covers how to choose that benefits.

 

[Lawlass]

One thing you did not mention which might influence things is whether you have frequent flyer status with Qantas. If so, then in some circumstances you might receive your QF elite benefits travelling on a classic award, although the answer to this is well beyond my pay grade so I'll leave it to others with knowledge to comment on.

Thank you. Yes, I have QF Platinum, but as CI isn't part of Oneworld, I understand that i can't access the FLounge, even though it is booked as a QF award.

Thanks for your very detailed response, I appreciate it

 

[jase05]

Thank you. Yes, I have QF Platinum, but as CI isn't part of Oneworld, I understand that i can't access the FLounge, even though it is booked as a QF award.

Thanks for your very detailed response, I appreciate it

I would check that as my understanding is that if you book the QF codeshare on CI you are actually directed to the QF lounges rather than the SkyTeam lounge in SYD or the Marhaba in MEL

 

[RooFlyer]

I notice this thread started in 2018 and people are still successfully getting matches. Sorry, I haven't looked at the interim to see the full history.

So, is this status match sort of 'standing, no foreseeable end in sight' (the offer, not the status, of course)? Or has it come-and-gone in the period since 2018? I expect so; if so, how often/long do the match offers run for?

I plan to have some LATAM flights in December and this would be ideal to get Preferente and access to the excellent LA International lounge at SCL. But of course I won't be able to apply until October to have the status for 3 months - no way would I retain it.

Hmmm ... as an aside, I just tried a dummy DL booking SCL-MVD-SCL to see if there is a DL codeshare available on the scheduled LA flight and got this message; no Delta OR Partners on that sector? (Before you check - yes, LA run flights those days)

 

[justinbrett]

I notice this thread started in 2018 and people are still successfully getting matches. Sorry, I haven't looked at the interim to see the full history.

So, is this status match sort of 'standing, no foreseeable end in sight' (the offer, not the status, of course)? Or has it come-and-gone in the period since 2018? I expect so; if so, how often/long do the match offers run for?

I plan to have some LATAM flights in December and this would be ideal to get Preferente and access to the excellent LA International lounge at SCL. But of course I won't be able to apply until October to have the status for 3 months - no way would I retain it.

Hmmm ... as an aside, I just tried a dummy booking SCL-MVD-SCL to see if there is a DL codeshare available on the scheduled LA flight and got this message; no Delta OR Partners on that sector? (Before you check - yes, LA run flights those days)

View attachment 329776

If you check the LATAM thread, we think we have new information that you can access LA lounges with QF status, even if booked on LA codes.

 

[Lawlass]

Thanks all, another question...

When booking MEL-TPE-JFK on China Airlines (CI) as a Qantas Classic Award, where it asks for my Frequent Flyer program and number, do I put my QF Platinum number or my new Delta Platinum number?