Just one return flight could see you soar with SkyTeam Elite Plus status until 2024
Are you a Qantas or Virgin Frequent Flyer member with elite status? Or perhaps you’re an Australian-based traveller who holds status with another airline?
If that’s the case, just one return economy class flight between Sydney and Los Angeles could see you secure SkyTeam Elite Plus status until 2024.
What’s more, Delta’s win-win status offer unlocks three months of elite benefits just by requesting the status match.
Simply meet the eligibility requirements to take that return flight during those few months and your elite perks will stay with you until the following year!
Intrigued? Here’s how Delta’s current status match offer could work for you.
Delta’s status match offer: The details
Under the current offer, Delta is matching those who hold frequent flyer status with over 15 other airlines to Silver, Gold and Platinum status levels.
Once you apply for the status match, you’ll get three months of Delta elite status. Flying a certain amount (depending on the status level you’re trying to obtain) will see you retain that status until 31 January 2024.
Who can request the status match?
Silver, Gold and top-tier Qantas and Velocity members are eligible to request a Delta status match under the current offer, as can members of over 10 other frequent flyer programs.
Delta has predetermined which tier those with status in many programs will be matched to. However, if your program doesn’t appear below, you can still apply for the status match anyway, provided the status you are looking to match isn’t with a SkyTeam airline or Delta partner.
The table below outlines some of the frequent flyer tiers that are being matched by Delta:
| Delta SkyMiles tier/frequent flyer program | Delta Silver Medallion | Delta Gold Medallion | Delta Platinum Medallion |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer | Silver | Gold | Platinum and Platinum One |
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | 25K and 35K | 50K | 75K and Super Elite |
| Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan | MVP | MBP Gold | MVP Gold 75K and 100K |
| American Airlines AAdvantage | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and Concierge Key |
| British Airways Executive Club | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
| Lufthansa Miles & More | Frequent Traveller | – | Senator and HON Circle |
| Unites MileagePlus | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | Premier Platinum, Premier 1K and Global Services |
Other programs where Delta has predetermined the status match include:
- ANA Mileage Club
- Asiana Airlines Asiana Club
- Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
- JAL Mileage Bank
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- South African Airways Voyager
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
Qualifying for a Delta status match: What are the rules?
As mentioned above, Delta won’t match the status held by members of other SkyTeam airlines, or by other Delta partners. This includes Virgin Atlantic, which recently joined SkyTeam.
The key rule to take note of here is that your current status must have been genuinely earned. That means you won’t be eligible for Delta’s status match if you were gifted status in another program, or obtained it through a promotion, such as another status match offer.
To prove you took flights to achieve your current status, Delta requires you to upload a photo or screenshot of your current airline membership card, as well as a copy of your frequent flyer activity status.
It’s also worth noting that you won’t get the status match if you have already requested a Delta status match or received complimentary Delta status in the previous three years.
Benefits of a Delta status match
As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Delta Air Lines is connected to the expansive SkyTeam network, with Silver Medallion members able to access SkyTeam Elite privileges, and Gold and Platinum Medallion members entitled to SkyTeam Elite Plus perks.
Comprised of 18 airline members, SkyTeam is a global airline alliance where customers benefit from more than 1000 global destinations, a network of over 750 airport lounges, as well as increased opportunities to earn and redeem points with all member airlines.
SkyTeam Elite privileges:
- priority airport standby
- priority boarding
- priority check-in
- priority bag drop
- extra checked baggage allowance (weight or piece depending on the airline)
- ability to select preferred seats on board
SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits:
- airport lounge access before international flights
- priority at airport transfer desks
- secure guaranteed bookings on sold-out flights
- immigration and security fast-track (when possible)
- additional checked baggage (20kg or one extra bag)
- priority baggage handling
On top of these perks, those who hold Delta status can also access tiered SkyMiles benefits.
How to retain your Delta status
The requirements vary depending on which tier you’ve been matched to, but essentially, you’ll need to fly a certain about to earn enough Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs). These are essentially the same as status credits, meaning you’ll earn more on longer flights and pricey fares.
To meet the requirements, you’ll need to earn the following MQMs or MQSs (Medallion Qualifying Sectors):
- Silver Medallion: Earn 6,250 MQMs or 8 MQSs
- Gold Medallion: Earn 12,500 MQMs or 15 MQSs
- Platinum Medallion: Earn 18,750 MQMs or 25 MQSs
To put this in perspective, return fares between Sydney and LA (except Basic Economy) collect upwards of 14,976 MQMs (7,488 MQMs for each flight), enough to keep Gold Medallion status into 2024.
Summing up: Is this a good offer?
The ability to access Delta SkyMiles perks allows Qantas and Velocity members to earn points and enjoy benefits with Delta and a range of other carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines.
This status match offer comes after Virgin Australia ended its partnership and switched to United Airlines earlier this year.
While Delta’s recent interline agreement with Rex regains the airline’s ties with Australia, it is still the only airline operating the Sydney-Los Angeles route without an Australian airline partner.
So regardless of whether you frequently travel to the US, the sky could very well be the limit with elite SkyMiles and SkyTeam privileges.
Will you be looking to take advantage of this Delta status match offer?
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