*A status match for Hong Kong residents

[Keith009]

Could be interesting if you can get hold of a Hong Kong mailing address. I'm sorted for BD*G status till Nov 2010 but would otherwise love to test that hypothesis.

Press Release 2009, September 1st, 2009 - Star Alliance

Star Alliance is offering residents of Hong Kong SAR the opportunity to instantly attain either Gold or Silver Status in selected Star Alliance Frequent Flyer Programmes (FFP). Travellers booking and flying on any Star Alliance member airline between now and December 15th, 2009 and holding elite status in any* non-Star Alliance FFP, will have their status matched by one of the following Star Alliance FFPs.

 

[notzac]

Could be interesting if you can get hold of a Hong Kong mailing address. I'm sorted for BD*G status till Nov 2010 but would otherwise love to test that hypothesis.

If someone was willing to assist with a HKG address, I'd love to try this theory out! I have some LH/LX flights coming up with no lounge access available to me otherwise...

 

[anat0l]

That is interesting...very very interesting

How would they verify your are a HKG resident? Just mailing address/residential address? Don't need to send other details?

Too bad you couldn't have a mailing address and a residential address which are different (although I guess this depends on FFP). One way to get around it I guess is to join, then call the customer service centre of your FFP and ask to have your membership pack mailed to a different address. Could get suspicious though.

Also the rego form asks for your non-*A alliance and member airline. I'm assuming they're not stupid and will have some way to look up your address details or at least where you are a resident of from the non-*A carrier FFP, unless this would be strictly forbidden by privacy laws etc.

On top of that, what is a "match"? For a FFP like BD, I guess QF WP = BD GLD, but for say M&M, with a QF WP would you get SEN or HON? I think I'm not alone harbouring doubt that you would get comped HON. Same with say AC - with QF WP would that be comped for AC Elite or AC Super Elite? [EDIT: Just checked the T&Cs and it says they will match OWS and OWE to the lowest status which qualifies for *G status]

Moreover, will comped status not give you some benefits a la when I got comped NZ GE, I didn't get any upgrade certificates.

Finally, if this promotion is fair dinkum, then would the guidelines of which FFP should one sign up to change? That is, what would be the best FFP to take advantage of in this promotion?

 

[kiwitripper64]

To be fair, the complimentary status swap for Air NZ was a great idea to get people from Q to try the Air NZ service that includes lounge access, reserved seating with extra leg room etc all without waiting to build up status credits to earn access.
You would have to be a bit mean to expect complimentary upgrades as well.

I have heard a rumour that this swap is still available on a case by case basis. If Notzac was to try ringing 64 (0)9 375 0285 (Air NZ Koru club) and explain that he was very interested in swapping to *alliance, who knows what would happen.

If it still works, let us know

 

[samh004]

I can give a Hong Kong address and get my parents to ship whatever package arrives onwards.

I'd of thought though that they'd want an HKID number.

 

[Keith009]

The process is described here:
Star Alliance Hong Kong Promotion |*Start

Seems like they'd match your status before you actually fly on the flight booked... rather than after. Not that I'm suggesting anything naughty as you'd need to actually fly to take advantage of status won't you?

And remember folks, you'd only need 38k status miles to requalify for BD*G, rather than the 57k to qualify from blue.

 

[notzac]

The process is described here:
Star Alliance Hong Kong Promotion |*Start

Seems like they'd match your status before you actually fly on the flight booked... rather than after. Not that I'm suggesting anything naughty as you'd need to actually fly to take advantage of status won't you?

The T&C's seem to indicate that you need to have a ticketed flight on a *A carrier as a part of doing a status match.

And oddly enough, there is no mention of how they would verify you as a HKG resident. I guess having an address is good enough?

 

[anat0l]

I can give a Hong Kong address and get my parents to ship whatever package arrives onwards.

I'd of thought though that they'd want an HKID number.

A citizen ID number would be a sure-fire way, and you obviously can't fake those

 

[Flashback]

The T&C's seem to indicate that you need to have a ticketed flight on a *A carrier as a part of doing a status match.

And oddly enough, there is no mention of how they would verify you as a HKG resident. I guess having an address is good enough?

That's easy... book a fully flex fare

 

[anat0l]

The only other thing to consider is some of the more meticulous aspects, including things like addresses.

For example, I've heard cases - can't remember if it's from BD, NZ or other carrier FFP - of people getting comps through "unorthodox" means such as changing address, etc., but then after getting their comped status making some changes to their details, only to soon after find their new status being revoked.

I guess we all accept a level of risk if we decide to "bend the rules"...........

 

[notzac]

At this stage I'm thinking it's going to be a lot easier for me to just contact BD directly and ask for a status match. No need to fudge anything that way..

 

[Keith009]

At this stage I'm thinking it's going to be a lot easier for me to just contact BD directly and ask for a status match. No need to fudge anything that way..

Except they've tightened up status matches since March.... no harm trying though.

 

[Spider]

There are plenty of maildrops in HK, whose address can be used, that will forward your mail and even answer the phone in your name if need be. AFA resident id. number goes then it can be just about anything as long as its length and possibly numbers' combination matches. Due to privacy laws airlines do not have the right to check id numbers against government databases.

 

[winfred]

Star Alliance - book 1 flight & match your frequent flyer status.

I found this in facebook about a HK Star Alliance promo.

Star Alliance

Now I have to find a way to book a flight originating from HKG to take advantage of the offer.

 

[samh004]

Re: Star Alliance - book 1 flight & match your frequent flyer status.

And merged.