Etihad Airways has new limited time status match campaign for Gold or higher elites on other airlines. You can receive Gold elite status with Etihad’s program by taking advantage of this offer that is valid until June 18, 2013.
Note that this offer is limited to the first 500 members. You can access Etihad’s web page for this offer here.
You need to email the following info/documents to guesttiermatch@etihad.ae:
• Scanned copy of the gold or higher tier card with the other airline.
• Scanned copy of the miles statement with the other airline.
• Etihad Guest membership number.
You will also receive double miles in business and triple miles in first class for limited time after Etihad has processed your status match.
There is also a BusinessConnect offer for double & triple miles that should be combinable with this one. You can read more about this here.
Conclusion
If you are planning to fly with Etihad (or maybe take advantage of other status match offers later), it would be beneficial to take advantage of this offer. I took advantage of similar offer in 2012 that was limited to first 1000 participants and got my Etihad Guest Gold card within couple of months.
Sent one away, I will post the results when I know them. 🙂
That would be great. Post an update, when you receive an email from them and when the package arrives.
I won’t take advantage of this offer this year as my match from last year is still valid.
Dear Guest,
Thank you for sending the documents. This is to confirm that we have received your application and will be reviewed shortly. Please be informed that processing of the files will be done within 30 working days and we will inform about the status of your application latest by 30 July 2013.
Warm Regards,
Etihad Guest team
Will be interesting to see if I receive anything from them today. 🙂 Anyone else heard anything yet, besides the standard reply?
Friend of mine got a reply after chasing them on Etihad’s Facebook page that he wasn’t within the first 500 applicants. You should go the Facebook route as well.
Is there a list of acceptable airlines?
Nope. Seems that they are matching all as long as the status is at or above their Etihad Guest Gold.
how is this program anyway ? how are the members treated compared to other programs ?
i’m getting more and more disappointed at Flying Blue and trying to find a new program
If you are flying on Etihad, it is good to have status with their program for lounge access, business class check in if in Y, extra miles, possible operational upgrades etc.
But Etihad doesn’t belong to any of the alliances. So, I wouldn’t think that it could replace the status that some may have i.e. SkyTeam, Star Alliance or in Oneworld.
You could always use the EY Gold status to match some other airlines. These may always come handy at later time.
I just emailed the necessary info, I hope I get matched 🙂
Worked very well last year. I am sure that it will be a smooth sailing, although I don’t always believe their timetables.
Just sent my request through. Hope I can get it this year. I know it is a bit late now but still fingers crossed!
Thanks John for letting folks know!
Hi,
I just took a photograph of my elite card and took a screenshot of my mileage summary. Do you think this would matter? On their website, it does say to send scanned copies…..
Should be enough. Programs rarely send paper statements anymore
Hi John,
When you were matched last year how long is the gold status valid until? 2015?
Looking at the website it states:
“Once you have attained a tier, your status is valid for the rest of that calendar year plus one year for Silver and 2 years for Gold. In addition you will enjoy the benefits of the tier for a bonus three months.”
Which would indicate gold status until the end of March 2016!
The matched Gold last year is valid close to 2 years.
Hmmmm I wrote to Etihad the very same day you wrote about the opportunity, I must admit I had to write 3 times as I forgot one or another of the attachments each time. I newer heard back from them and wonder if I should write once more or just give it time ….?
I think that they are just taking their time, although there is unlikely any downsides to email all the required docs one again just in case.