Virgin Atlantic, a SkyTeam member airline, continues to offer status matches to its Flying Club frequent flier program and has updated the match-eligible programs to include Qatar Airways.
Virgin Atlantic has removed Singapore Airlines and Hawaiian from the matched programs since our most recent previous update.
You can access Virgin’s page for the status match here.
Note that the status is upgraded 72 hours before the qualifying flight, so you have almost a year to enjoy your new benefits.
Flying Club Silver Match
You can get Silver match approved if you gold a second tier with any of the following airlines and have a future revenue OR award booking on Virgin Atlantic or a VS-coded flight on any of the partners. The booking can be any cabin (economy also qualifies). Flying Club members who have previously done a match are not eligible.
Flying Club Gold Match
Virgin Atlantic offers Gold status if you have top-tier status with any of the following airlines and have a future revenue or award booking in Premium Economy or Business on Virgin Atlantic or a VS-coded flight on any of the partners. The Gold match is unavailable if you previously held status with Virgin Atlantic.
Matched Programs as of February 2025:
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Benefits Matrix:
Conclusion
I find it quite interesting that they included Singapore Airlines last year and soon removed it. They have now added Qatar Airways, despite its partnership with Virgin Australia (a separate airline, I know).
I like that Virgin Atlantic also counts award flights eligible for the status match (and those Upper Class ones should definitely qualify, considering how high the carrier surcharge is for flights ex-US).
The Virgin Flying Club is now more worthwhile as the airline is part of SkyTeam, and its Gold status maps to SkyTeam Elite Plus.
Terms and conditions of Virgin Atlantic Status Match:
If you’re not a member of our Flying Club yet and you’d like to status match, we’ve made it super easy for anyone to join. You can either join today online or call our customer service team.
If you’ve booked a Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin and have a top tier membership with another airline, we’ll award you Silver status. If you upgrade your flight to Premium or Upper Class before we apply your status match, let us know. We’ll review your application and may be able to move you from Silver to Gold status.
This offer is not available to Flying Club members who have previously enjoyed Flying Club Gold or Silver status via status match within the past 5 years.
This offer is not available to Flying Club members who also hold any level of membership with one of our SkyTeam partners.
We need proof of your status with your other airline including your full name, status level and expiry date of your current status. Your matching status must be valid when you travel.
Once you’ve sent us confirmation of your status, we’ll give it a once over and let you know what status you’re eligible for. We’ll get in touch about your new Flying Club status via email.
We’ll upgrade your status 72 hours before your qualifying flight. For a valid status match, you’ll need to have your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club number on your booking when you apply and when you travel.
Once your Flying Club account tier is updated, it can take up to 48 hours for the new status to show on your booking.
If you apply for a status match within 48 hours of your qualifying flight, your new status may not be updated in time for your departure. You won’t be able to make the most of your new status benefits until you update your reservation with your new status level.
If you change your dates or travel plans, you’ll need to let the status match team know before your departure. Your status match is linked to the qualifying booking you give when you apply. If this booking is cancelled or changed without notice, your status match will be cancelled, and your status will revert back to Red. You won’t be able to apply for any future status matches.
Your Flying Club Gold or Silver membership is valid for 12 months from the date your account is upgraded.
Gold members need to earn 1000 tier points in the membership period to keep their Gold status.
Silver members need to earn 400 tier points in the membership period to keep their Silver status.
Each Flying Club member may only open one account. If you open multiple accounts, you’ll be in breach of the Flying Club terms and conditions which could lead to restrictions and/or all of your accounts being closed.
This offer cannot be transferred to another traveller.
Virgin Atlantic has the right to withdraw our offer at any time. Virgin Atlantic hold the right to approve Gold and Silver membership.
Standard Flying Club terms & conditions apply. Please visit www.virginatlantic.com/flyingclub for full details.
