Vietnam Airlines with Statusmatch launched a paid status match campaign for its Titanium (SkyTeam Elite), Gold (SkyTeam Elite), and Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus) in late August last year (read more here), and it has been extended to 2025.
The match is valid for select markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States and costs $99 to $299.
You can access this match here.
Titanium, Gold & Platinum
Titanium and Gold are SkyTeam Elite tiers offering an extra luggage allowance. The Gold tier also comes with select lounge access when flying on Vietnam Airlines.
Platinum is a SkyTeam Elite Plus with extra luggage allowance, SkyPriority benefits, and lounge access on international flights + domestic lounge access on select domestic flights from April 1, 2025 (read more here).
Price:
In Asia, Titanium status costs roughly the same as an extra checked bag on a few flights.
The Gold lounge access benefit is unclear on the Vietnam Airlines website. You will certainly have access to lounges operated by Vietnam Airlines, but it is unclear whether you have access to other lounges at the airline’s outstations.
The Platinum status is SkyTeam Elite Plus, which comes with the most meaningful alliance-wide benefits comparable to Star Alliance Gold and Oneworld Sapphire, such as extra luggage, SkyPriority benefits (check-in, security, and boarding), and lounge access on international itineraries.
Matched Airlines:
Benefits Matrix:
SkyTeam Member Airlines:
The SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus benefits are valid on flights operated and marketed by alliance partners.
Conclusion
It is good that Vietnam Airlines has decided to extend this offer for 2025, which mainly allows Star Alliance and Oneworld elite members in select members to match their tier to a SkyTeam equivalent.
I haven’t looked at their award charts, so I don’t know whether it would make sense to credit flights to their program and use them for flights with partners.
So, the question is, does it make sense to pay to get matched if you have one of the tiers with other airlines that they match from?
It all boils down to how many times you can use the SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus benefits when flying on Vietnam Airlines or one of its alliance partners, such as Delta, KLM, or SAS.
Terms and Conditions of Vietnam Airlines match:
- Only 1 status match per person will be permitted under this campaign matching to Platinum, Gold or Titanium tiers.
- The application fees vary by region, tier and eligibility. The fees will be displayed to you prior to any purchase commitment and are available below as a guide.
- Only residents of target countries that hold locally government issued identification are permitted to apply.
- If approved, the Status Match upgrade is valid for 12 months. To retain your status past this date, you must re-qualify based on meeting the published status programme requirements on vietnamairlines.com/us/en/lotusmile
- All Status Match requests are handled by and are the responsibility of StatusMatch.com and not by Vietnam Airlines or any of its affiliates.
- In addition to other eligibility requirements, a Status Match will only be granted to applicants whose name matches the records in the Lotusmiles program.
- With the participation in the campaign, participants acknowledge that the data submitted to StatusMatch.com may be shared with Lotusmiles. Read the full privacy policy here
- Only elite status holders of eligible airlines, who pay the relevant application fee and are approved, will receive the matched status.
- The Status Match offer is limited in number of matches and time frame at the sole discretion of StatusMatch.com and Vietnam Airlines. It may end at any time.
- Members that are approved for a Status Match will not be eligible for any potential subsequent Status Match with Vietnam Airlines.
- The awarded Lotusmiles status may be suspended, revoked or terminated by Vietnam Airlines in accordance with the Lotusmiles program terms and conditions.
- Vietnam Airlines reserves the right to deny the status match approval for members who have violated the Lotusmiles program terms and conditions in the past.
- Vietnam Airlines may take up to 5 business days after approval by StatusMatch.com before the upgraded tier is visible in the member’s account.
- Approved members will not receive a physical status card, but instead encouraged to use the digital card using the Vietnam Airlines mobile app
Frequently asked questions:
What is the Status Match offer?
Vietnam Airlines offers customers who have frequent flyer status with an eligible airline loyalty program to apply for a Status Match.
Once eligible customers pay the application fee and are approved, they will receive 12 months of Titanium, Gold or Platinum status as determined by the Status Match process.
Requests for a Status Match can be made directly on the Vietnam Airlines Status Match page.
Do I have to be a Lotusmiles member to participate in the offer?
Yes. To be eligible, you must have an existing Lotusmiles account. Customers without a Lotusmiles account may enrol for free. Quick enrolment here.
What airline status levels are eligible to apply?
You must hold an elite airline status with an eligible airline listed in the eligibility table.
Applicants may be required to provide a valid Government-issued ID (passport or driver’s licence) to confirm eligibility for the offer.
Are there eligibility requirements beyond having status with an eligible airline?
The Status Match offer is only open to eligible residents who hold eligible airline status. You may be required to provide evidence upon application. The complete list of eligible countries, and any applicable application fees can be viewed here.
What Lotusmiles status can I obtain through the Status Match offer?
Approved members will receive Titanium, Gold or Platinum based on their current airline’s equivalent elite status level. See the chart below to see what tier you will receive upon approval.
Refer to the Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles website for benefits associated with each tier.
How long is status valid if my Status Match request is approved?
You will receive status for 12 months upon approval. To retain your Lotusmiles status beyond the initial 12 months, you must re-qualify based on meeting the published status program requirements on the Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles page
Is there an application fee?
The application and processing fees differ for each tier and region. Application fees are subject to change. Click here to view the applicable fees.
How long is the Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Status Match offer available for?
Vietnam Airlines and StatusMatch.com reserve the right to end or amend the campaign without notice.
What information is required to submit a Status Match application?
To participate in the campaign, you need to apply, provide details of your airline status, pay the associated application fee and use a valid email address where we can communicate with you.
During the application process, we will also ask you for evidence of your frequent flyer status (for example, a photo of your card), and you may be required to provide other personal details, such as passport or driver’s license, to help us validate your information and eligibility.
Our privacy policy is available here.
How soon will I receive my new Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles status after applying?
You will be informed within three (3) business days following your completed application of the requested information and documentation whether or not your Status Match has been approved. Once approved, your new status will appear on your account within (5) business days.
I successfully matched with Lotusmiles, and since then, my other airline status has been upgraded to an even higher tier. Can I get my Lotusmiles status updated/upgraded?
No. Status Matches are calculated on the tier you hold at the time of application.
If you are, for example, about to be upgraded to the next tier with your airline – we recommend applying for the Lotusmiles Status Match after you have that higher tier in your account. Only 1 match is allowed per person.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
If you have questions about your Status Match request, support@statusmatch.com
For any Lotusmiles account or flight bookings with Vietnam Airlines: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/help-desk
I am a top-tier member of an eligible airline loyalty program. Can I select a lower tier other than Platinum to Status Match into?
If you hold eligible top-tier status with an airline that has tier-mapping into Lotusmiles Platinum status, during the application process, you will be asked if you would like to be matched to Lotusmiles Gold or Platinum.
Applicable fees for each tier will apply.
