Virgin Atlantic status match

[Danger]

One Mile at a Time had an article over the weekend discussing a Virgin Atlantic status match.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Status Match Promotion

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is offering to match elite status from 20 other frequent flyer programs, but you need to book a revenue flight.

onemileatatime.com

The article says the match is limited to American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, United, South African, Cathay and Etihad. However, the page on the Virgin website includes a number of other carriers, including Qantas and Virgin Australia.

The small catch is you need to have a booking with VS.

I booked a fully refundable ticket and submitted a request.

 

[Danger]

My application was matched a little more than 48 hours after I submitted it.

However, the text of the email (which struck me as not being a form email), said the status would only be upgraded "just before your next flight with us". That flight isn't until mid-year. It's also contrary to the terms you have to agree to which require the user to agree that "I understand that if I qualify, my status match will be applied within 30 days."

 

[Daver6]

If I understand this correctly, you just need a booking in a premium cabin. What would happen if you make a fully refundable booking, get the match and then cancel?

Not something I intend to actually do as VS isn't part of an alliance and close to zero chance I'd by flying VS, but just curious.

 

[Danger]

That's exactly what I intend to do. There's nothing in VS's match terms that provide for the match to be revoked, which is not to say it wouldn't happen.

 

[Danger]

I have a flight coming up in a few days and my match has come through, many months after I applied.