Garuda has extended its Status Match offer, and you can now apply for a status match any time up until the end of June. It has however, been rejigged a bit. Firstly, it is now limited to Platinum members (and above). Secondly, they have opened it up to Platinum Velocity members.
Under the status match, Garuda is offering to match your Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity status in its GarudaMiles program. The main restriction is that you need to hold at least Platinum status in either program.
The basics of the status match see Garuda offering successful applicants 3 months of premium status to begin with. Then, if you take one flight between Australia and Indonesia within those three months, you’ll get a 9-month extension. This will see you with elite Skyteam status into the beginning of 2025.
How to Apply
Garuda has published a page on their website detailing how Qantas Frequent Flyers can make an “Expression of Interest” in getting a status match. In essence, you will need to email some documentation to be reviewed by their team. The documents you require will depend on whether you are currently a Garuda Miles member or not:
|
Document
|
Member of GarudaMiles | |
| New Member | Existing Member | |
| Qantas Frequent Flyer Card | √ | √ |
| Flying Mileage Transaction Record | √ | √ |
| Joining Form/Online Registration | √ | X |
| GarudaMiles Card | X | √ |
Once you’ve collected the required information, you can email it to marketing@garuda-indonesia.net.au.
What is the Match?
The following table shows which tiers Garuda will offer as a status match
|
Airline / Frequent Flyer Program
|
Matching Level | |
| Tier Level | GarudaMiles Tier Level | |
| Virgin Australia | Platinum | Platinum VIP |
| Qantas | Platinum | Platinum VIP |
Benefits
Once you have received the status match, you will receive all of the perks that go with GarudaMiles. These are fairly standard types of benefits, but useful for many. In the case of GarudaMiles Platinum, levels offer perks including additional checked luggage allowance, priority check-in, boarding and lounge access.
As Garuda is a SkyTeam member, you will receive benefits when you fly on any of the SkyTeam members. There are 18 members in the Sky Team Alliance including airlines such as Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, and Vietnam Airlines.
Across SkyTeam, GarudaMiles platinum members are recognised as SkyTeam Elite Plus.
Final Words
Status matches such as these are helpful to give your status in another alliance a boost. This is useful if you are looking to fly on a matching airline, in this case, Garuda. It can also help if you need status in one of the other airlines in the alliance.
If you have any upcoming plans to fly on Garuda, or to a lesser extent, other SkyTeam airlines it may be worth a look.
