This was posted 9 years 9 months 24 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Free Etihad Guest Gold Status (if You're Already Gold on Another Airline's Program)

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mjp80 on 02/03/2015 - 11:10 etihad.com (3238 clicks)
Last edited 02/03/2015 - 11:53 by 1 other user
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Seems fairly straightforward. If (and only if) you already have gold status on another airline or alliance (that is not an Etihad partner airline), Etihad will give you gold status to try them out.

As an Etihad Guest Gold member you enjoy benefits such as:

  • 50% Extra Bonus Miles - Enjoy 50% additional Etihad guest miles in every flight you take on Etihad Airways
  • Extra Baggage Allowance - Enjoy 15 kilos additional baggage allowance on all applicable flights*
  • Enhanced Lounge Access - You and a guest are invited to enjoy our luxurious Business Class Lounges before you fly across our network
  • Guaranteed seats - If you make a booking at least 24 hours in advance, we will guarantee you an Economy Class seat on an Etihad Airways flight of your choice - even if the flight is fully booked.
  • Fast-Track Access - Upon arrival at your destination, skip the queue at border control to enjoy a speedy exit*

See link for how to apply and what you need to send them.

Travel Airfare Status Match

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closed Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2015 - 11:12
    +3

    best airline ever.

    • Bargain4U on 02/03/2015 - 11:25
      +10

      Especially when it takes 30 minutes to taxi and another 30 minutes to be bused to the terminal at their base, Abu Dhabi.

    • Gotchas on 02/03/2015 - 13:34
      +3

      Love the sarcasm
      Up vote from me

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2015 - 11:19
    +2

    Biggest perk is the ability to utilse the Virgin Lounge domestically. I'm also sure they won't match Virgin membership, considering the above.

  • leslie knope on 02/03/2015 - 11:44
    +1

    "This tier match promotion does not extend to members of the frequent flyer programmmes of Etihad Airways Partners (Air Lingus, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways) & Virgin Australia."

    They won't match Virgin.

    • donga100 on 02/03/2015 - 11:53

      Not really that much benefit to be gained out of matching Virgin though considering you already have access to almost all of the same lounges.

      • mackaxx on 02/03/2015 - 12:00

        Yep, not sure the issue, you get reciprocal rights with them anyway

      • leslie knope on 02/03/2015 - 12:26

        Depends where you fly.

        Etihad has partners that offer lounge access to Etihad Gold but not Virgin Gold. Aer Lingus, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia & Jet Airways do not recognise Virgin Gold.

        • mackaxx on 02/03/2015 - 14:12

          Think I'll survive then, their lounges are probably quite interesting though…

    • frozensolid on 02/03/2015 - 16:27
      +9

      No chance they'll match my Tigerair platinum infrequent flyer status, is there? :P

  • spongetom on 02/03/2015 - 11:46

    Awesome! Thank you so much OP!

  • cheapfab on 02/03/2015 - 11:46

    Yip - not for Virgin Australia, and some others as below

    T&C's reproduced here

    This offer is only applicable to individuals based in UAE, UK, USA, Australia, Saudi Arabia, France, Switzerland, China and Japan. Only a limited number of Gold cards will be issued and Etihad Guest reserves the right to select the successful applicants. All applications should be received before 15 March 2015. This tier match promotion does not extend to members of the frequent flyer programmmes of Etihad Airways Partners (Air Lingus, airberlin, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Alitalia, Jet Airways) & Virgin Australia. Only gold cards with airline loyalty programmes will be considered. If the requested documents are not clear or in case of incomplete personal details your application will not be processed. Any decision towards acceptance/rejection of any application received remains exclusively with Etihad Guest. This offer is for existing Etihad Guest base, silver and non-Etihad Guest members. Current Etihad Guest miles balance for existing base, silver members will be carried forward at the time of upgrade to Etihad Guest Gold. Etihad Guest reserves the right to withdraw this promotion at any time without any prior notice.

  • bozbargain on 02/03/2015 - 11:55
    +4

    Another advantage, previous status matches were for 18 months or so. It does take a while before they send out your cards but you can check the progress of your match by downloading the Etihad app and checking status on there. If it shows Gold, you can use that to get access to the Virgin lounge even before getting your physical cards.

  • hashtagbargain on 02/03/2015 - 12:24

    How I wish I had Qantas Gold sapphire now!

  • weeenis on 02/03/2015 - 12:28
    -2

    "Guaranteed seats - If you make a booking at least 24 hours in advance, we will guarantee you an Economy Class seat on an Etihad Airways flight of your choice - even if the flight is fully booked."

    "even if the flight is fully booked" …huh ?

    • mjp80 on 02/03/2015 - 12:35
      +4

      There's always ways to make space on a flight. Presumably they would upgrade someone to a higher class to make room in economy, or offer people something at check-in if they're willing to delay their travel.

      • braddsey on 02/03/2015 - 19:11
        +1

        Yep, airlines always oversell. You'd be paying a a very high economy fare for this though… so high it would have to be your only flight option.

        • mjp80 on 03/03/2015 - 05:38

          Could be quite useful for business travelers that need to travel on short notice. Are Etihad's last-minute economy fares that much better or worse than other airlines?

          When I had to travel for business on short notice, my company just had to eat whatever was on offer.

        • braddsey on 03/03/2015 - 20:03
          +1

          @mjp80: Perhaps… though if you're flying Etihad long hall for business travel, then it's unlikely you'd be doing it in economy. My company pays business for travel over 6 hours… but I was lucky enough to fly first class once because it was last minute travel and the first class fair was lower than the available business class fair. The same would apply with last minute economy vs' business.
          Unless you're going to Doha for business, there's pretty much nowhere that Etihad fly that no one else can get you. If you're going to pay full fare economy for the last non-available seat on Etihad, you'd be better off finding a business class fare on another airline.

          The only time I can see this being useful is at Christmas (when flights are difficult to get), or flying somewhere for a major event. Even with a family emergency and you're stuck on the other side of the world, airlines are normally very accommodating for this kind of thing anyway.

  • daniel46211 on 02/03/2015 - 12:44
    +1

    There is a rare Qantas gold status match happening right now for NZ residents (not hard to get around)

    Go to http://qantasgold.qantas.com for all details.

    • mackaxx on 02/03/2015 - 14:34
      +1

      This is a great pick up, how did you approach this. New membership or temporary change of address?

      • daniel46211 on 02/03/2015 - 20:18

        Setup a new account and used a hotels' address I frequent (they hold mail for me all the time). You could also use a mail forwarder like others have suggested.

    • mez on 02/03/2015 - 15:14

      i'm also keen to know how to do this?
      Thanks!!

      • donga100 on 02/03/2015 - 15:21
        +1

        Here you go.

        • mackaxx on 02/03/2015 - 17:29
          +2

          Wonder how I'll go just changing my address in my existing membership.

        • mez on 02/03/2015 - 18:55

          Thank you!!!

        • donga100 on 02/03/2015 - 19:25

          @mackaxx: The point of the mail forwarding service is that they will be mailing your card.

        • mackaxx on 02/03/2015 - 20:31
          +1

          @donga100: Yes, caught this. I've used my offices NZ work address and if it gets lost I'll have it remailed……..

          After I change my address to an AU one that is.

    • chb on 02/03/2015 - 22:34

      Trying to see if they'll match me. Silly me forgot that I have my woolies linked to QFF and I shop there every few days so it shows up on my statement. Not really expecting anything now :(

  • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 02/03/2015 - 13:01
    +3

    Any way to pretend you're gold with another airline?

    • mjp80 on 02/03/2015 - 13:05
      +1

      You mean fraud? Yah, it should be trivial if you have some photoshop skills. But, also, y'know… fraud.

    • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2015 - 13:36
      +6

      ill let you know how it goes ;)

    • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2015 - 13:46
      +1

      if anyone needs, somewhat high res card photos are here:
      http://www.ausbt.com.au/new-look-qantas-frequent-flyer-cards…

      if you have a red one, its probably easier to use photoshop to change the colour to gold

      • xsacha on 02/03/2015 - 15:16
        -1

        Hue + 55, Saturation - 55, but you'll get the two shades of gold the wrong way around.

      • akula on 02/03/2015 - 16:15
        +10

        But I see blue and black card. Don't break the Internet people :)

      • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 02/03/2015 - 18:34

        Easier to use the templates. Just need somebody that can shop over the writing, then get the correct font, and voila!

  • The Champagne Mile on 02/03/2015 - 13:04

    Please note that Etihad reserves the right to pick and choose who they offer the match to - chances are that not everyone will be successful.

  • pacman21 on 02/03/2015 - 14:01

    Flying with Singapore airlines soon who is partners with almost all airlines Etihad is partnered with.. Except not Etihad.

    Would have been handy as I am gold with Qantas.

  • superbass on 02/03/2015 - 15:01

    Got this last years. if it is same as last year, it will be valid for 2 years. You get 2 x leather luggage tags as well.

    As mentioned above, the best part of Virgin domestic. You can take your partner or friend for free plus any children under 12 are free too so good deal for domestic holiday uses.

    You need to send copy of your flight statements along with your scanned copy of your ff card.

  • BlueDiesel on 02/03/2015 - 15:16

    What happens if your are Qantas platinum? Serious question. I've scanned and submitted my card anyway, but can already imagine the email from Ethiad telling me that its only Gold/Gold…

    • donga100 on 02/03/2015 - 15:22
      +1

      I wondered the same thing. I sent them a copy of my platinum card from another airline, hopefully they match it to at least Etihad Gold.

      • giilour on 02/03/2015 - 16:30
        +1

        it says "gold or higher tier card"

    • superbass on 02/03/2015 - 17:07
      +1

      You should be fine… I was platinum with another airline when I applied last year.

  • skinny on 02/03/2015 - 15:29
    +4

    Just register a new airline and give yourself a Gold Card and you should be able to price match!

    yeah I know it costs to register, but there are other OZbargainers you can help and charge a small fee

  • cardiology on 02/03/2015 - 16:58

    Do I need to fly Virgin in order to get into the Virgin domestic lounge using this Etihad Gold card (if approved)?

    • donga100 on 02/03/2015 - 19:29

      Yes, you must be flying on Virgin Australia to use the lounge.

  • dan1985 on 02/03/2015 - 17:06
    +1

    Just tried with my Aegean Airlines Gold, will post here if it works.

    • Trawler on 02/03/2015 - 17:29
      +1

      Same here. I don't get sent statements so just sent a screenshot of our status on the website.

      • dan1985 on 02/03/2015 - 17:50

        I did the "Account Activities" page. Hopefully that works.

        • Trawler on 02/03/2015 - 19:36
          +2

          Will see. I imagine that Aegean Gold must be pretty oversubscribed with all the matching deals they do. Makes me wonder if Etihad will view it as a lower priority for matches.

    • dan1985 on 29/04/2015 - 09:01

      Nope. They just signed me up to their base tier.

      • dan1985 on 01/05/2015 - 08:42

        Actually I take that back. I got an email today saying I've got gold!

  • Gostoso on 02/03/2015 - 17:09

    Thank you so much OP !!!

  • tyng on 02/03/2015 - 17:09
    +2

    So what's the quickest way to get a Gold card with another airline before this deal expires?

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 02/03/2015 - 17:28

      Is there any Mickey Mouse airline that gives them out easy?

    • ckfun on 02/03/2015 - 18:28

      fly b-class around the world, twice

  • charlotto on 02/03/2015 - 17:09

    So I have Qantas gold and if I took up this offer will I be able to access Virgin domestic lounges when flying Virgin?

  • [Deactivated] on 02/03/2015 - 17:47
    +2

    I wonder if they will accept El-Al gold status…

    • BlueDiesel on 02/03/2015 - 17:52

      Isn't this the official El-Al partner airline. Sure I have seen code share in the past :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air

  • RockyRaccoon on 02/03/2015 - 17:49

    Keep in mind the deal says it's limited

    AND

    Etihad uses it's judgement to award this. It's Not guaranteed

    as per their T&C's

    Any decision towards acceptance/rejection of any application received remains exclusively with Etihad Guest.

  • cmdwedge on 02/03/2015 - 18:34

    Yeah picked this up around six months ago via my Qantas Platinum. Still haven't gotten to use it live though!

  • eneloop on 02/03/2015 - 18:34
    +7

    I have a gold Ansett Australia membership that I haven't used in a while.

  • braddsey on 02/03/2015 - 19:27
    +1

    For anyone who has trouble with the Etihad status match (or any gold card collectors), Air Berlin also offer a status match. Air Berlin are largely owned by Etihad so have access to the Etihad partners (for Australia - Virgin), but are also part of oneworld so get access to Qantas.

    Page is in German, but easily translated.
    http://www.airberlin.com/de-DE/site/landingpages/tb_aktionen…

  • 2ndeffort on 02/03/2015 - 20:40

    Qantas gold card ran out yesterday!

    • NotAMoodle on 04/03/2015 - 15:23

      2 of my friends had gold for 4 years then it was about to run out and they had hardly travelled for that year, then Qantas sent them an invitation for 1 more year for free as a "once off"

      Did this happen to you ?

      • 2ndeffort on 04/03/2015 - 18:07
        +1

        Happened to me last year, this is the end of my free year! Just checked and I have already been bumped back to Silver!

  • scheps on 02/03/2015 - 20:47

    Will they actually give the match or they are just collection peoples information?

  • Garagesale on 02/03/2015 - 21:14

    love this:
    "Guaranteed seats - If you make a booking at least 24 hours in advance, we will guarantee you an Economy Class seat on an Etihad Airways flight of your choice - even if the flight is fully booked."

    so they will basically boot someone off who paid months before on a cheaper ticket/less status.
    should be illegal

    • JohnHowardsEyebrows on 02/03/2015 - 21:45
      +1

      Nah, the bootee will always be compensated, usually with business class seats. I'd happily take it.

  • Food on 02/03/2015 - 23:24

    Will my Tigerair infrequent flyers Platinum work?

  • mkerr on 03/03/2015 - 08:01

    Cheers for the heads up dude. Awesome.

  • Gostoso on 06/03/2015 - 00:55

    I hope it works guys…no news from my end at this stage.

  • modsec802 on 11/03/2015 - 21:06

    Anyone heard anything?

  • ChickenTalon on 16/03/2015 - 20:02

    I tried, haven't heard anything yet. Apparently there is an email confirmation within 2 weeks, which is tomorrow for me. About to do a lot of flying on star alliance and this would be very nice to have

    • erd on 16/03/2015 - 23:33
      +1

      It seems that it will take them longer than that 2 weeks. Oh and, Etihad is not a member of Star Alliance unfortunately.

      • ChickenTalon on 17/03/2015 - 09:07

        ops, you are correct. the other airlines i want to use it on Air NZ and ANA are star alliance, got myself confused.

  • danielh on 19/03/2015 - 19:20
    +2

    Anyone got a response yet or has etihad just managed to scam the cream of the crop FF details details and FF numbers?

    • erd on 19/03/2015 - 22:04

      ahahahaha, I think it's just a matter of them being a bit understaffed in their customer service department.

    • Gostoso on 22/03/2015 - 14:32

      No news from my end !!
      :(

      • Snotty on 23/03/2015 - 15:00

        not a good start if they expect us to test how good their service is. first failure to deliver as promised and we're not even members yet.

    • wizzlesticks on 26/03/2015 - 20:44

      Approaching one month now and still nothing. I certainly don't feel confident in giving Etihad any of my business.

  • ChickenTalon on 27/03/2015 - 13:17

    Still no response, not overly surprising from Etihad. I'd say no one is getting their status matched.

    Will be avoiding them

  • The Champagne Mile on 27/03/2015 - 13:29
    +1

    No news from this end either, and never received an email advising my request was received when the documents were mailed through. Given the status match required the transmission of quite sensitive data, the courtesy of privacy assurances and an acknowledgement wouldn't have gone astray. As it stands, I won't be sending any more of my personal information into the black hole of Etihad's mailbox!

  • danielh on 27/03/2015 - 13:54
    +3

    According to the Aus FF website someone has gotten a response yesterday. Perhaps they will start slowing through:
    http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/etihad-g…

    Welcome to Etihad Guest Gold
    Dear Mr X,
    Membership number: <redacted>

    Your continued loyalty has earned you enough Tier Miles/Tier Segments to be upgraded to Etihad Guest Gold. So now you’ll enjoy more benefits and privileges every time you fly with Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional, Air Serbia, and Air Seychelles*, making every journey more rewarding.

    Here are some of the key benefits of your Etihad Guest Gold membership:
    • Enhanced Lounge Access – Invite a guest to enjoy our luxurious Business Class Lounges before you fly
    • Rewards Sooner – Earn 50% bonus miles on every flight
    • Priority Check-In and Boarding – Take advantage of priority check–in and boarding on all flights, regardless of which cabin you are travelling in
    • Extra Baggage Allowance – 15 kilos additional baggage allowance on all applicable flights*
    • Fast Track Immigration – Upon arrival at your destination, skip the queue at border control to enjoy a speedy exit*
    • Nominate a Representative – We know your time is precious, so you can authorise one other person to manage your account on your behalf

    To find out more about all your new benefits, please click here.
    When will I get my new Etihad Guest Gold Card?

    As we are in the process of redesigning our Etihad Guest cards, your new Etihad Guest Gold card will be sent to you on or before 31 May 2015. We’ll email you again to confirm when your new card has been successfully dispatched.

    In the meantime, if you are planning to travel before your new card arrives, simply print out a copy of this email (which is valid until 31 May 2015) and present it at the airport to enjoy all the benefits exclusive to your Gold membership.

    We look forward to welcoming you on board again soon.

    Yours sincerely,

    Peter Baumgartner
    Chief Commercial Officer - Etihad Airways
    * Subject to the terms and conditions of the programme, the airline you are travelling on and service availability. For full details visit: www.etihadguest.com/en/programme/benefits/gold/

  • cache on 01/04/2015 - 09:22

    it's been a month. still no news?

  • ChickenTalon on 09/04/2015 - 10:49

    anyone hear anything?

    • RockyRaccoon on 10/04/2015 - 07:23

      Received this morning - I had given up on this
      Qualified with a US airways gold membership (which is like a qantas silver, but it's called gold so I gave it a shot)

      Dear Mr Raccoon
      Membership number: 1234567890

      Your continued loyalty has earned you enough Tier Miles/Tier Segments to be upgraded to Etihad Guest Gold. So now you’ll enjoy more benefits and privileges every time you fly with Etihad Airways, Etihad Regional, Air Serbia, and Air Seychelles*, making every journey more rewarding.

      etc etc

  • The Champagne Mile on 10/04/2015 - 08:21

    Mine came through this morning! Can't get rid of the neg, unfortunately. Should have had more patience!

    • ChickenTalon on 10/04/2015 - 08:42
      +1

      looks like they're coming through. Still haven't heard anything myself. bit bummed as I was hoping to use the Jakarta Garuda lounge tomorrow.

      I've removed my neg. You should be able to remove your neg.

      Go to the top, click on "Votes" just below the deal title. Find your name in the list, there should be a little round - sign next to your vote, click that to revoke your neg

  • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2015 - 08:45

    got mine as well!! :)
    good new s im going to melb next week
    gold status means possible upgrade ;)

    • The Champagne Mile on 16/04/2015 - 14:53

      where from? Etihad only fly their own metal internationally.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2015 - 15:03

        VA - cause code share
        im going domestic.

        • The Champagne Mile on 16/04/2015 - 19:17
          +1

          would be very unlikely that you'll get an upgrade on VA domestic with Etihad Guest Gold (like QF, VA rarely bump people up to business anyway, even if you are platinum with their own program), but good luck!

  • modsec802 on 23/04/2015 - 21:40

    Never heard anything back. Anyone else in the same boat?

  • dan1985 on 29/04/2015 - 09:01

    I just got an email from them welcoming me to their base tier. I signed up with an Aegean airlines Gold

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