Five tips for an Emirates Skywards status match

Emirates is considered one the world’s leading airlines, with a massive fleet of well-appointed jets and a global network which can get you almost anywhere you want to go via the airline’s hub at Dubai.

And as you’d expect, high status in Emirates’ Skywards loyalty program – specifically Skywards Gold and Skywards Platinum – pile on the perks including lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, an increased luggage allowance, boosted Skywards Miles earning and more.

It’s no surprise, then, that many frequent flyers with other airlines set their sights on an Emirates status match.

But the process is far less straightforward that you might expect, as our Emirates Skywards status match guide explains.

At the outset we should specify that Emirates declined to comment on its Skywards status match procedure when approached by Executive Traveller , so we’ve had to pull information together from a number of other less-official sources.

One trip in business class may be all it takes for your Emirates Skywards status match.

1. Applying for an Emirates status match

Some airlines have a standing status match or status challenge promotion which runs almost all year round, such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Others will run a status match offer only from time to time, as part of a strategic push, and sometimes only to frequent flyers of specific airlines or even living in certain counties.

And then there are airlines which pretty much never run a public status match promo, but will consider requests on a case-by-case basis, such as Cathay Pacific.

Emirates falls into this last category, being quite protective of the ‘quality’ of its tiers as well as avoiding a sudden ‘status crush’ which could over-crowd its lounges.

However, another way to look at this is that you don’t have to wait for Emirates to launch a status match or status challenge promotion.

You can apply for an Emirates status match at any time and make your case for that shiny Skywards Gold or Skywards Platinum card.

It appears the main channel for requesting an Emirates status match is through the Emirates website’s live chat service.

Of course, there’s no guarantee your request will be granted or entertained, but in a case-by-case situation like this, all you can do is ask...

2. Emirates status match: which airlines are eligible?

The pool of airlines which could be considered eligible for an Emirates status match is almost unlimited, given that Emirates doesn’t belong to any of the ‘big three’ alliances of Oneworld, SkyTeam or Star Alliance.

That said, elite status with Emirates partner airlines such as Qantas might be excluded from eligibility.

3. It’s really a Emirates status challenge, not an instant match

Indications from a number of online sources, including the useful StatusMatcher website, are that Emirates doesn’t do an outright status match where you’d instantly enjoy a period of complimentary status – typically 60, 90 or even 120 days – while making a set number of flights to retain that gratis status.

Instead, it’s more like a fast-track to Skywards status where you’ll need to do hold elite status with another airline and do some flying with Emirates before tucking a Skywards Gold or Platinum card into your wallet or purse.

From Emirates’ perspective, this is a good measure to weed out status-chasers who have no real interest in retaining their status  beyond the initial trial period.

4. Upgrading your Emirates Skywards status

Also worth noting, and again different to the status quo of airline status matches, is that Emirates appears to follow a strict protocol in what tier you’ll actually get through this challenge.

Most sources indicate that upon making the necessary Emirates flights, you’ll be upgraded to one level above your current Skywards tier.

If you hold entry-level Skywards Blue, then it seems all you can look forward to is a step up to Skywards Silver.

If you apply as a Skywards Silver, you’d be bumped up to Skywards Gold; and if you’re already  Skywards Gold, you’d be promoted to Skywards Platinum.

5. Locking in your Emirates Skywards status

Again, according to various online sources, the typical flight requirements to successfully complete the Emirates status match are

• one return trip in Emirates business class or first class, or
• two return trips in Emirates economy class

These must of course be paid trips, not ones booked using points, and there appears to be no mention online of how Emirates premium economy factors into this.

On the upside, reports indicate the qualification period in which those flights must be taken is a very generous 12 months.