American & United Elites Eligible for Virgin Atlantic Status Match

Virgin Atlantic’s current status match promotion allows certain U.S.-based frequent flyers to match their status to the U.K.-based carrier’s frequent flyer program, known as Flying Club.

If you’re a top-tier American AAdvantage or United MileagePlus elite member, you can match your status to Flying Club Silver or Gold status.

But there’s a catch, which we’ll discuss below.

Get Virgin Atlantic Elite Status in a Few Clicks — But You’ll Need an Upcoming Flight

Members of American Airlines, United, and a host of international airline frequent flyer programs are eligible to match their status with Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club. Delta SkyMiles Medallion status is already acknowledged by Virgin Atlantic as the 2 airlines are part of the SkyTeam alliance.

To receive your shiny new Virgin Atlantic status, head over to Virgin’s status match form and provide the airline with some information. The first requirement is easy: provide a photo or screenshot of your current airline status.

Now, for the catch we mentioned earlier: you’ll also need to prove that you have an upcoming Virgin Atlantic flight that has your Virgin Atlantic number attached — booked in any cabin class — to match to Silver. If you’re shooting for Gold, you’ll need a flight in premium economy (Premium) or business class (Upper Class). If you don’t have a flight booked already, this could prove to be an expensive status match.

Your shiny new Flying Club status will be upgraded 72 hours before your qualifying flight and will be valid for 12 months from the date your status is upgraded. You’ll be eligible to retain your new status when you earn 1,000 Tier Points as a Gold member or 400 Tier Points as a Silver member.

However, if you’ve previously done a Virgin status match, you won’t be eligible to participate in the promotion again.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Elite Status: What Do You Get?

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club has 2 elite status tiers: Silver and Gold.

Silver benefits include 30% more Virgin Points on flights, premium check-in, and free seat selection with “Economy Light” (basic economy) fares.

Gold members receive 60% more Virgin Points, Upper Class check-in, access to Clubhouse and London Heathrow Revivals lounges, and extra checked luggage.

Hot Tip: Learn about the best ways to earn lots of Virgin Points and the best ways to redeem Virgin Points for maximum value.

Final Thoughts

Status matches are a great way to be rewarded for the time and money you’ve spent earning your airline status with one particular airline — especially when it costs you nothing to do so.

While this latest status match from Virgin is technically free, the requirement to have a flight booked does muddy the waters a little. If you’re not a Virgin Atlantic frequent flyer and would need to book a flight just to be eligible for this status match, then chances are you won’t even benefit from the Silver or Gold status anyway.