Delta SkyMiles Status Match Discussion

[Kefci2000]

Just had confirmation from Delta that iam confirmed as Platinum Medallion till Jan 2020

 

[gapmatt]

Hey guys,
So I've just been accepted into the Delta airline status match. Im currently Qantas Gold.
I've got a China Airlines flight coming up in 10 days in which I'm going to Taipei and then onto Sapporo (also with China Airlines).

From what you guys have said, during the 3 month status challenge, CI lounge access seems possible, but what about additional baggage? Any experiences? As a full member, there is 20kg extra allowance.

I've added my Delta Airlines member number into the booking on China Airline's website.

I'm asking as I'll be bringing my snowboard with me which weighs about 9.5kg and I'll be flying Economy.

 

[Mattg]

Hey guys,
So I've just been accepted into the Delta airline status match. Im currently Qantas Gold.
I've got a China Airlines flight coming up in 10 days in which I'm going to Taipei and then onto Sapporo (also with China Airlines).

From what you guys have said, during the 3 month status challenge, CI lounge access seems possible, but what about additional baggage? Any experiences? As a full member, there is 20kg extra allowance.

I've added my Delta Airlines member number into the booking on China Airline's website.

I'm asking as I'll be bringing my snowboard with me which weighs about 9.5kg and I'll be flying Economy.

"Officially" you would not be entitled to extra baggage allowance on China Airlines. However, in practice I believe you would get the usual SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits.

 

[gapmatt]

"Officially" you would not be entitled to extra baggage allowance on China Airlines. However, in practice I believe you would get the usual SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits.

Bit risky to rock up with excess luggage in that case. I wouldn't be able to do anything about the excess once I'm at the airport.

 

[Mattg]

Bit risky to rock up with excess luggage in that case. I wouldn't be able to do anything about the excess once I'm at the airport.

IMHO there's a 98% chance it will be fine. The only problem is that you wouldn't be protected in the case it was refused, as the SkyMiles challenge T&Cs don't guarantee benefits on partner airlines during the challenge period.

Personally I would risk it.

 

[Kefci2000]

I flew CI and was treated as an Elite.
I don’t know how CI would know you are on a challenge

 

[gapmatt]

Thanks guys, I think I'll risk it too after thinking about it, I won't be over the limit on the outbound flight so might just double check with them.
I also don't know how they would know if I'm on a challenge or not.

Just wanted to also confirm, all I need to do is add my Delta airlines member number into the China Airlines booking right?

 

[Kefci2000]

Correct but make sure it has stuck when you check in

 

[gapmatt]

Correct but make sure it has stuck when you check in

Much appreciated guys!
So glad there is a Skyteam Status match/challenge program

 

[gapmatt]

Hi all,
Just wanted to share my review of the status match.

Did the Delta status match with my qantas gold to get Elite Plus on a trip from MEL-TPE- CTS - TPE - MEL.

Based on my experience, I can day I was treated as a normal Elite Plus member without question.

Had additional baggage allowance, lounge access, was personally greeted on 2 of the flights onboard by the flight attendants.

Also, can someone explain why even though I booked Economy, I could select what appeared to be Premium economy seats? On my flight from Taipei to Sapporo, the check in counter person said I could select a PE seat as I’m Elite Plus.

I thought it was a luck of the draw free upgrade, however on my flight from Sapporo to Taipei, I was able to select PE seats when doing online check in which I had no idea until I stepped onboard and found my seat.

I’m currently in taipei now and tried to ask them to get me a PE seat for my long flight back to Melbourne but they said there would be additional costs, so I’m confused!

 

[Mattg]

Hi all,
Just wanted to share my review of the status match.

Did the Delta status match with my qantas gold to get Elite Plus on a trip from MEL-TPE- CTS - TPE - MEL.

Based on my experience, I can day I was treated as a normal Elite Plus member without question.

Had additional baggage allowance, lounge access, was personally greeted on 2 of the flights onboard by the flight attendants.

Also, can someone explain why even though I booked Economy, I could select what appeared to be Premium economy seats? On my flight from Taipei to Sapporo, the check in counter person said I could select a PE seat as I’m Elite Plus.

I thought it was a luck of the draw free upgrade, however on my flight from Sapporo to Taipei, I was able to select PE seats when doing online check in which I had no idea until I stepped onboard and found my seat.

I’m currently in taipei now and tried to ask them to get me a PE seat for my long flight back to Melbourne but they said there would be additional costs, so I’m confused!

No idea why you were able to get premium economy seats on those flights, but glad to hear the status match has been a successful endeavour for you!

 

[gapmatt]

Yes it was a good experience indeed!
Hope we can come across another Skyteam status match program next year.

After thinking about it while waiting in the lounge, I think on short haul flights China airlines offer Premium economy seats but with economy food.

My boarding pass shows it as Y class.

 

[harls]

Hi guys,

New member here (be nice...)

Just got accepted for the Delta Status Match challenge as a Gold Medallion (with Qantas Gold).

I'm flying SYD - TPE - CTS in the coming week then returning NRT - TPE - SYD with China Airlines.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone had success in gaining access to the SkyTeam lounge in Sydney using the status match-obtained Medallion status? From what I've read one of the conditions that Delta has explicitly stated is that the status match-obtained Medallion status will not grant SkyTeam lounge access but seems like people have not been discriminated against as of yet.

2. Similarly, has anyone gained access to the CI lounges in TPE and/or NRT with the status match-obtained Medallion status?

Thanks heaps

 

[gapmatt]

Hi guys,

New member here (be nice...)

Just got accepted for the Delta Status Match challenge as a Gold Medallion (with Qantas Gold).

I'm flying SYD - TPE - CTS in the coming week then returning NRT - TPE - SYD with China Airlines.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone had success in gaining access to the SkyTeam lounge in Sydney using the status match-obtained Medallion status? From what I've read one of the conditions that Delta has explicitly stated is that the status match-obtained Medallion status will not grant SkyTeam lounge access but seems like people have not been discriminated against as of yet.

2. Similarly, has anyone gained access to the CI lounges in TPE and/or NRT with the status match-obtained Medallion status?

Thanks heaps

You're flying almost identically to what I just flew on, I just arrived back today, have a read of my post above.

I can confirm based on my experience flown that you will get Skyteam lounge access on all flights

2. You will also get CI lounge access in TPE as well as in Japan.

You will get the full Skyteam Elite Plus benefits including additional baggage allowance and Priority Boarding.

When you're flying TPE to CTS, select your seats online and look for seat numbers before 40. On both my flights (TPE -> CTS and back) I was able to select the Premium Economy seats even though I was flying Economy

 

[Mattg]

Hi guys,

New member here (be nice...)

Just got accepted for the Delta Status Match challenge as a Gold Medallion (with Qantas Gold).

I'm flying SYD - TPE - CTS in the coming week then returning NRT - TPE - SYD with China Airlines.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone had success in gaining access to the SkyTeam lounge in Sydney using the status match-obtained Medallion status? From what I've read one of the conditions that Delta has explicitly stated is that the status match-obtained Medallion status will not grant SkyTeam lounge access but seems like people have not been discriminated against as of yet.

2. Similarly, has anyone gained access to the CI lounges in TPE and/or NRT with the status match-obtained Medallion status?

Thanks heaps

Welcome to AFF!

You should have no problems getting access to SkyTeam and partner airline lounges during the status challenge period. You'd just need to be flying the same day on an international SkyTeam airline flight (which you will be).

Yes, the T&Cs say you won't be eligible... but in practice, there is a 99% chance you'll be treated just like anyone else with SkyTeam status. That said, I wouldn't be complaining to Delta if they don't let you in as technically they don't have to.

 

[harls]

Thanks gapmatt and Mattg - that's good to know!

gapmatt - mate you're luck as I've checked the seats a few times online and the best seat that I could get for TPE - CTS is row 46. I've got Q class tickets for the SYD - TPE - CTS legs maybe that explains why?

 

[gapmatt]

Thanks gapmatt and Mattg - that's good to know!

gapmatt - mate you're luck as I've checked the seats a few times online and the best seat that I could get for TPE - CTS is row 46. I've got Q class tickets for the SYD - TPE - CTS legs maybe that explains why?

Not sure, I just checked my itinerary. TPE ->CTS was Q Class and CTS->TPE was V class. Not sure why the boarding pass shows it as Y class.

Might be worthwhile asking when checking in.

 

[harls]

Just got back from my holidays - quick update:

- managed to get into SkyTeam lounge in SYD and all CI operates lounges in TPE (both during transit and at departure) and NRT with no major issues. Slight non-event at SYD as I only obtained the status challenge a while after I purchased my CI tickets and subsequently entered my SkyMiles membership number through the CI website, there seem to have been some delay in the system and my Elite Plus status was not reflected on my boarding pass. I was not provided with a lounge pass at check in and when I entered the SkyTeam lounge they were a bit suss but still let me in after I showed them my gold medallion status via the Delta app and took a copy of my boarding pass. No issues on the returning legs (NRT - TPE - SYD) as the Elite Plus status came through on my boarding pass.
- didn’t manage to get to select premium economy seats on any legs

Great trip overall

 

[Bugman]

I'm a QFF WP1. I've been looking for a way to fasttrack to have status when flying VA.
If I match to DL can I achieve the challenge flying domestically? If so how many flights in economy elevate between MEL-SYD do I need to do in the 3 months?

 

[jase05]

I'm a QFF WP1. I've been looking for a way to fasttrack to have status when flying VA.
If I match to DL can I achieve the challenge flying domestically? If so how many flights in economy elevate between MEL-SYD do I need to do in the 3 months?

My understanding is that you would get 500 MQM’s in Economy for each one way trip. You need 12,500 MQM’s or 15 MQS’s for Gold Medallion status and 18,750 MQM’s or 25 MQS’s for Platinum Medallion status.