Etihad status match for Qantas, Singapore Airlines & more

Etihad Airways’ 2024 status match offer is making a play for the loyalty of Australian frequent flyers with Qantas, Singapore Airlines, arch-rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways and even Turkish Airlines, ahead of the start of Istanbul-Melbourne flights in March.

Up for grabs is Silver and Gold status in the Etihad Guest rewards program – sorry, but Etihad Guest Platinum is off the table, even for top tier members of competing programs, such as Qantas Platinum and Platinum One.

That gratis status is yours for three months, during which time even a single Etihad Airways flight can lock in that status for a further 12 months.

Etihad Guest Silver status is your ticket to the likes of priority check-in, additional baggage and 25% bonus points on eligible flights, while Etihad Guest Gold delivers 50% bonus points plus global access to the lounges of Etihad Airwats and its partners lounges, including Virgin Australia. 

Members travelling through Abu Dhabi also have access to the airline’s new business class lounge: solo entry with Silver or access for you and a friend with Gold.  

Who is eligible for Etihad’s 2024 status match?

The Gulf carrier is taking aim at a swathe of 20 global airlines for the Etihad Guest 2024 status match, with the roster embracing airlines from the Star Alliance, Oneworld and SkyTeam families along with independent non-aligned carriers.

Here’s the full list:

• AirAsia BIG Loyalty
• Air Astana Nomad Club
• Air India Express NeuPass
• Air India Flying Returns
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Cathay
• Emirates Skywards
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
• Korean Air Skypass
• Lufthansa Miles & More
• Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Royal Brunei Royal Skies
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• United Airlines MileagePlus
• Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
• Vistara Club Vistara

To narrow the scope, the Etihad 2024 status match is targetted exclusively at residents of Australia and India, and there’s also an application or registration fee for the Etihad 2024 status match of US$59 (AUD$91) to match against Etihad Guest Silver or US$99 ($153) for Etihad Guest Gold.

Once approved, members receive Etihad Guest Silver or Gold status for three months, bypassing the 20 and 40 ‘Tier Segments’ (think of these as eligible flights) normally required to reach those tiers in the process.

The all-new Etihad Business Lounge at Abu Dhabi Terminal A.

How to apply for the Etihad Guest status match

To take advantage of the status match you’ll first need to sign up to the Etihad Guest loyalty program, which is free to join via etihadguest.com

Next, you’ll need to submit an application via etihad.statusmatch.com and verify your current elite status details, including the loyalty number of the program you’re matching from followed and a photo/screenshot of your current membership card.

Select your airline via the dropdown and enter your membership ship.

Applicants will need to pay the status match fee of US$59 (AUD$91) for Silver applicants or US$99 ($153) for Gold, and should hear back from Etihad within five business days. 

This is a year-long offer with no published end date, so you don’t need to rush to apply.

Extending your Etihad Guest status

To hold onto your new elite status you’ll need to complete at least one eligible flight on Etihad Airways within three months, after which it’s yours for a full 12 months.

Though not a member of any airline alliances, Etihad Airways has an impressive list of 20 global partners including Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Korean Air and Virgin Australia, to name a handful.

For more info visit our Etihad Guest guide.