LATAM status match $80USD

[BudgetFly]

What program did you get status matched from? And to LATAM Gold, Plat or Black? Which QF lounge did you attempt to access?

I was matched from Qantas Gold to LATAM Platinum. I thought my Qantas Gold was expiring sooner and the way I read it I could use the LATAM Plat. to access QF lounges. In the end my Qantas Gold was extended longer than I thought so I had no need to try the LATAM status. I read that some others had initial success entering QF lounges but it appears to have been tightened up now to codeshare flights only...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I was matched from Qantas Gold to LATAM Platinum. I thought my Qantas Gold was expiring sooner and the way I read it I could use the LATAM Plat. to access QF lounges. In the end my Qantas Gold was extended longer than I thought so I had no need to try the LATAM status.

Had the same issue back in 2022. In early 2022 I thought my Gold would expire on November 2023 and booked a SYD > AKL trip in J for $1100 return during a DSC promotion (earning 480 status credits) just to ensure I got my Gold status secured for another year. In the end QF ended up rolling over status credits from 2022 meaning I didn't need to do that run. Fortunately, this ended up giving me the boost I needed to earn Platinum status.

Generally speaking with status matches you want to try to use the benefits of the airline you matched to since unless the airline is part of alliance any reciprocal benefits aren't 100% guaranteed. In my case, I status matched to LATAM precisely because I knew I would be using the benefits advertised.

I read that some others had initial success entering QF lounges but it appears to have been tightened up now to codeshare flights only...

Again, the key here is to contact Qantas using the web contact form and see what they say on this matter.

 

[RooFlyer]

Again, the key here is to contact Qantas using the web contact form and see what they say on this matter.

Possibly, but the chances are you’ll get an answer that you really can’t rely on. At the end of the day, it’s the lounge dragon that will let you in or not, not what some call centre tells you, irrespective of whatever documentation you might have with you.

 

[heycam]

Just came across this thread, and with an Argentina trip coming up in May, I thought I'd try getting a status match from my UA 1K. I created a LATAM Pass account, then filled the form at latam.statusmatch.com, but got the message:

Thank you for your interest

This Status Match offer is only for residents of selected regions.

We have recorded your interest in a future Status Match, and you will be alerted if we are able to extend this offer to you in the future.

Is the status match no longer available to Australian residents?

 

[heycam]

Well, I tried it again yesterday and managed to submit the request, and was approved overnight for Black! Looking forward to trying my luck with the upgrade vouchers for my Argentina trip on May.

 

[SYD]

Well, I tried it again yesterday and managed to submit the request, and was approved overnight for Black! Looking forward to trying my luck with the upgrade vouchers for my Argentina trip on May.

Dang. I didn’t bother thinking it was over. Already flown 1 of 2 SA flights so probably not worth it now for me.

 

[M@rcoPolo]

I tried today to match my United Gold status but it's now asking for USD 199 fee although I'm a resident of Australia... did they bump up the price from USD 80????

 

[heycam]

Yes, I neglected to mention that above! I am saving around USD 120 in checked luggage fees with my matched Black status (by booking Light fares), and hoping upgrades will come through, so for me I thought it was still worth it.

 

[AFF Editor]

I've tried to get information from both Qantas and LATAM regarding the Qantas lounge access policy for LATAM Pass Platinum, Black and Black Signature members.

This article summarises the available information:

Can LATAM Pass Members Access Qantas Lounges?

LATAM Pass Platinum, Black and Black Signature members can access Qantas lounges, but it appears that this is only with LA-coded flights.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[funnybrus]

Upgrade came through on SCL-LIM for me +1 despite being #9/10 in line as a platino. Super impressed with the 787 business on this route - full service on a 3.5h flight with bedding, printed menus, amenity kit, champagne etc.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just got my Black status renewed for a year. Lucky - when QF delayed my flight into SCL, my LA connection to MVD (QF code share) was going to be missed, so I rebooked to next day, on LA code, thereby meeting the requal requirements.

Unfortunately I can't see any opportunity to use it in the nxt 12 months

 

[Gold Member]

Just got my Black status renewed for a year. Lucky - when QF delayed my flight into SCL, my LA connection to MVD (QF code share) was going to be missed, so I rebooked to next day, on LA code, thereby meeting the requal requirements.

Unfortunately I can't see any opportunity to use it in the nxt 12 months

I didn’t set foot on a single LATAM aircraft or transact any points with LATAM since the status match, and I still got the Black status renewal until 2025. Shame I don’t have any plans to use it either.

 

[I love to travel]

I didn’t set foot on a single LATAM aircraft or transact any points with LATAM since the status match, and I still got the Black status renewal until 2025. Shame I don’t have any plans to use it either.

Same except my QF gold runs out in October. I can't seem to remove my QF no from future bookings.

 

[SYD]

I didn’t set foot on a single LATAM aircraft or transact any points with LATAM since the status match, and I still got the Black status renewal until 2025. Shame I don’t have any plans to use it either.

Could have been handy if they’d started entry into ScaryTeam before then.

I wander what’s happening with that - if anything?

 

[Gold Member]

Could have been handy if they’d started entry into ScaryTeam before then.

I wander what’s happening with that - if anything?

LATAM and ITA are like the awkward in-laws that the broader family doesn’t wanna know about, but a couple of members reluctantly acknowledge their existence just to maintain the peace.

 

[jase05]

I didn’t set foot on a single LATAM aircraft or transact any points with LATAM since the status match, and I still got the Black status renewal until 2025. Shame I don’t have any plans to use it either.

It was always going to be until March 2025. LATAM made it pretty clear on their website when you signed up for the status match that you would get Black status until March 2025

 

[RooFlyer]

It was always going to be until March 2025. LATAM made it pretty clear on their website when you signed up for the status match that you would get Black status until March 2025

Awww. That makes me feel so much less special.

 

[Gold Member]

It was always going to be until March 2025. LATAM made it pretty clear on their website when you signed up for the status match that you would get Black status until March 2025

Yah, I know. Just highlighting to contrast other FFPs that require a huge investment in time and money and then you still only have a bundle of rights to fly

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd provide an update on my status match. I matched to LATAM Black earlier this year from Qantas Platinum. One of the benefits of LATAM Black is the ability to upgrade flights using the 8 included international update coupons. I decided to upgrade my partner and my flight from Melbourne to Santiago using those coupons and it cleared:
View attachment IMG_1518.png

For those curious, the key to securing the upgrade is to use ExpertFlyer to find dates where J/C/D/I/Z (business) is all 7 (indicating 7 or more available seats). This typically occurs on weekdays, and on less popular routes (think LA804 nonstop Melbourne to Santiago versus LA800 Sydney to Santiago which stops in Auckland to pick up more passengers).

So to answer the original premise of if it is worth spending the time and $80 on the match, I'd say yes but with the caveat that only if you are flying with LATAM. And the value increases substantially the more often you fly or the longer the route you fly with them (in my case I'm flying Melbourne to Florianopolis, Brazil via Santiago and São Paulo).

-RooFlyer88

 

[jase05]

Just thought I'd provide an update on my status match. I matched to LATAM Black earlier this year from Qantas Platinum. One of the benefits of LATAM Black is the ability to upgrade flights using the 8 included international update coupons. I decided to upgrade my partner and my flight from Melbourne to Santiago using those coupons and it cleared:
View attachment 391692

For those curious, the key to securing the upgrade is to use ExpertFlyer to find dates where J/C/D/I/Z (business) is all 7 (indicating 7 or more available seats). This typically occurs on weekdays, and on less popular routes (think LA804 nonstop Melbourne to Santiago versus LA800 Sydney to Santiago which stops in Auckland to pick up more passengers).

So to answer the original premise of if it is worth spending the time and $80 on the match, I'd say yes but with the caveat that only if you are flying with LATAM. And the value increases substantially the more often you fly or the longer the route you fly with them (in my case I'm flying Melbourne to Florianopolis, Brazil via Santiago and São Paulo).

-RooFlyer88

How far out did they notify you of upgrade?
I’ve got LATAM Black but it’s really a nothing program for me as the upgrade system seems too much of a gamble. No way am I flying in Y for that length so if the upgrade doesn’t process I’d need to make sure I can cancel my ticket and have adequate back up plans