Last year, Air France KLM Flying Blue announced a status match opportunity offering Canadians with Aeroplan Elite Status and holders of status with other eligible airlines, the opportunity to match to Flying Blue Elite Status.
Recently, the offer was refreshed with updated residency requirements and new pricing.
If you’re eligible, this can be a great opportunity to enjoy extra perks when flying with Air France, KLM, and other SkyTeam airlines for the next year, or to potentially book Air France La Première with miles.
Matching Status with Flying Blue
A Flying Blue status match opportunity was announced on the Industry Leaders Panel discussion at The Travel Summit 2024 by Ben Lipsey, SVP of Loyalty and President of Air France KLM Flying Blue.
The status match offer is now available for residents of Canada, Italy, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Africa, and a handful of Middle Eastern countries who have status with the following airlines:
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- American Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- China Southern
- EVA Air
- Egpytair
- Emirates
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Finnair
- Gulf Air
- Hainan Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Oman Air
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
Exception to this is the residents of Italy, where they can only match from their Miles & More status.
Depending on your level of status, you’ll be matched to Flying Blue Silver, Gold, or Platinum status; however, Platinum status matches aren’t available for residents of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
This status match opportunity is available exclusively on the Status Match website, and you’ll have to pay the following fees to match into Flying Blue status tiers if you’re based in Canada:
- Silver: $149 (CAD) – up from $79
- Gold: $299 (CAD) – up from $199
- Platinum: $499 (CAD) – up from $399
If you’re based in other regions, you’ll have to pay a different fee, which is listed on the Status Match website.
For once, the price for the Flying Blue Gold and Platinum match are favourable for Canadian residents, although the current CAD fees are notably higher than at launch.
Once you’re approved, you’ll enjoy Flying Blue status for 12 months. If you’d like to extend the status further, you’ll have to fulfill the standard status requirements.
After submitting the application, you’ll hear back within five business days about your request; however, you may also be asked for further documentation.
As per the terms and conditions, you’re only eligible for one Flying Blue status match, which means that you won’t be eligible for any future status matches. Therefore, you may want to use this strategically, rather than opportunistically.
This offer is limited in terms of the number of status matches available, and it comes with no listed end date and may end at any time.
Flying Blue Silver, Gold, and Platinum Benefits
As a reminder, Flying Blue has four elite status Tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Ultimate.
Through this status match offer, it’s not possible to match to the top-tier Ultimate status, but you can still get some great perks with the other three.
If you have Aeroplan 25K or 35K status, you’ll be matched to Flying Blue Silver, which offers the following benefits:
- Earn 6 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
- Priority check-in, baggage drop-off, and boarding
- Free selection of standard seats
- Free seat options 24 hours before departure
- One free extra checked bag on eligible flights
You’ll also enjoy SkyTeam Elite status at the Silver level, which comes with the following perks when flying in any class of service with a SkyTeam-member airline:
- Priority reservation waitlist
- Preferred seating
- Priority check-in counters
- Priority boarding or at leisure
- Extra baggage allowance
If you have Aeroplan 50K status, you’ll be matched to Flying Blue Gold status, which comes with the following perks and benefits in addition to what’s offered at the Silver level:
- Earn 7 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
- Free access to select lounges worldwide with a guest (conditions apply)
- SkyPriority priority access throughout the airport
- Free seat options 72 hours before departure
- Free selection of standard seats
- One free extra checked bag on eligible flights
Gold status with Flying Blue is equivalent to SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which grants you the following benefits when flying with a SkyTeam-member airline:
- Guaranteed full-fare Y-class reservation on sold-out long-haul flights, at least 24 hours prior to departure.
- Access to airport lounges worldwide, whatever the class of travel, for members in possession of a boarding pass accompanied by a guest.
- Priority baggage handling on arrival, whatever the class of travel
- Extra baggage allowance
Of the above benefits, the best perks are having access to lounges when travelling in any class of service, priority airport services, and an increased baggage allowance.
Keep in mind that these benefits apply when flying in any class of service with SkyTeam airlines, which can be very useful if you travel in economy.
If you have Aeroplan 75K or Super Elite status, you’ll be matched to Flying Blue Platinum status, which comes with the following incremental benefits:
- Earn 8 Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France & KLM flights, as well as selected extra options
- Enjoy complimentary access to select lounges across the globe for you plus one guest
- SkyPriority priority access at the airport
- Choose a standard seat when you buy your ticket, free of charge
- Benefit from preferred seat options, free of charge
- One free extra checked bag on eligible flights
- Waived service fees for changes on award flights
- Enjoy 24/7 access to the exclusive Platinum Service Line
Recall that as a Flying Blue Platinum member, you can also redeem Flying Blue miles for Air France La Première, which otherwise isn’t accessible with points or miles.
If you’re eligible for this status match, consider the cost associated with the application, which is different than other status matches which are free. On the plus side, you’ll enjoy status for a full 12 months, which is a longer duration than other status match opportunities.
To me, the sweet spot here is matching to Flying Blue Gold status, since it offers SkyTeam Elite Plus status, which can be leveraged for lounge access when flying with SkyTeam airlines in any class of service.
Many others with Aeroplan 75K or Super Elite status have taken advantage of the status match, and then have gone on to book a dream flight in La Première, which is certainly worth considering.
Conclusion
Air France KLM Flying Blue has an ongoing status match opportunity, which is available to residents of select regions including Canada who have status with select airlines.
If you’re eligible, head to the Status Match website to submit your request. There’s no end date for this offer, so be sure to act soon if you stand to benefit.
Then, once your status match request is complete, you can enjoy elevated travel with Air France, KLM, and SkyTeam airlines for the next 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
