SkyTeam Status Match with ITA Airways

An ITA Airways Airbus A320 at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
ITA Airways, formerly Alitalia, is the Italian flag carrier. Photo: Matt Graham.

ITA Airways has launched yet another status match promotion! This time, eligible frequent flyers of other airlines including Qantas can get a Volare status match between 16 July until 19 August 2024.

If your match request is approved, you’ll get to keep your status until December 2025. ITA Airways will also credit your account with 10,000 Volare qualifying points.

Volare is the loyalty program of ITA Airways, which is the reincarnation of Italian airline Alitalia. As it’s currently part of the SkyTeam alliance, this status match will get you a fast-track to SkyTeam status. It could even ultimately get you Star Alliance status because Lufthansa will soon take over the airline.

The airline previously ran status match promos during 2021 and 2022, which numerous AFF members also took advantage of at the time. The new 2024 promotion is not available to anyone who has previously taken part in a Volare status match promotion, nor to Italian residents.

Airlines that ITA Airways will status match

Anyone who has elite status with any of the following frequent flyer programs (or recently had status that expired after January 2023) can apply for the 2024 ITA Airways status match:

  • Aegean Miles+Bonus
  • Aer Lingus AerClub
  • Air China Phoenix Miles
  • American Airlines AAdvantage
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Emirates Skywards
  • Etihad Guest
  • Finnair Plus
  • Iberia Plus
  • LATAM Pass
  • Malaysia Airlines Enrich
  • Oman Air Sindbad
  • Qantas Frequent Flyer
  • Qatar Airways Privilege Club
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
  • TAP Miles&Go
  • Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
  • Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
  • WestJet Rewards

The above list is quite different to the list of eligible airlines from the previous status matches.

This PDF from the ITA Airways website shows how the status tiers in each of the above programs align to ITA’s Club Volare tiers. For example, this is how ITA Airways matches Qantas Frequent Flyer status:

  • Qantas Silver members get Club Volare Plus (SkyTeam Elite)
  • Qantas Gold members get Club Volare Premium (SkyTeam Elite Plus)
  • Qantas Platinum & Platinum One members get Club Volare Executive (SkyTeam Elite Plus)
ITA Airways Sky Priority signage
ITA Airways Sky Priority sign at Linate Airport. Photo: Matt Graham.

How to apply

To apply for a Volare status match, create an account with the loyalty program (if you haven’t already). Then, log into your account on the ITA Airways website. On your personal account page, if you’re eligible to apply, you should see a “Request status match” option.

With your application, you will need to include:

  • A copy of your current physical or digital frequent flyer card (in pdf, png or jpg format)
  • A copy of your passport photo page or identity card

See the ITA Airways Promotions page for full details.

Benefits of ITA Airways Volare status

You can see the full list of Volare status tiers and benefits on the ITA Airways website. These include lounge access, where available, for Club Premium and Club Executive members.

Buffet and bar at the ITA Airways Lounge in Milan Linate Airport
ITA Airways Lounge at Milan Linate Airport. Photo: Matt Graham.

Theoretically, as an ITA Airways Premium or Executive member, you would also enjoy SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits on 18 other SkyTeam airlines including Air France, KLM, Delta, Garuda, Vietnam Airlines or Korean Air.

However, some of these airlines may not necessarily recognise ITA Airways as a SkyTeam partner. So, your mileage may vary. That said, I’ve been a Club Premium member for the past two years and have noticed that partner recognition has slowly improved during that time. I was able to use my Volare Club Premium benefits when flying with KLM earlier this year, for example.

Lufthansa is in the process of buying ITA Airways

Even if you don’t plan to do much flying with SkyTeam in the near future, ITA Airways is expected to switch to Star Alliance sometime next year as part of its integration with Lufthansa Group. This isn’t officially announced yet, so it’s not guaranteed – but the change could work in your favour!

Lufthansa A320 at Berlin Brandenburg Airport
Lufthansa is buying ITA Airways. Photo: Matt Graham.
The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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ITA is now running a status match promo:

I'm eligible for it via United status, so seriously considering it in case ITA joins SkyTeam or in case something useful comes of it...

Love the new branding and it should resonate with the Italians. Hopefully they can provide a decent service and I will definitely sign up to the status match just in case something good comes of it

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I note that Qantas doesn't appear to be on the list so not open to Elite QF Members.

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I note that Qantas doesn't appear to be on the list so not open to Elite QF Members.

No, it doesn't. But there are a few options that may be accessible to some in Australia. E.g. Qatar, BA, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates.

I've applied but haven't yet heard back. (The fine print says the match will be processed by 31 December and that the status will be valid in 2022, so not too concerned.)

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No, it doesn't. But there are a few options that may be accessible to some in Australia. E.g. Qatar, BA, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates.

I've applied but haven't yet heard back. (The fine print says the match will be processed by 31 December and that the status will be valid in 2022, so not too concerned.)

Got my status match back within a day!! All in Italian! Used Google translate, I went from Qatar Gold to ITA Volare PREMIUM. I'll post the text - they're saying to use the email for now as proof of status!

Thank you for sending us your request and joining the Status Match campaign and the new Volare program.
We are happy to inform you that your request has been successful and welcome you to the new ITA Exclusive Club.
You have been recognized as belonging to the tier: Premium
Save this email and always take it with you to take advantage of some dedicated services right away!

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After I applied last week, I noticed that they updated their website with an additional requirement to attach an identity document to the email. That wasn't listed as a requirement last week. So I've sent them another email with a copy of my passport. Haven't received a response yet to either email. 🤷‍♂️

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After I applied last week, I noticed that they updated their website with an additional requirement to attach an identity document to the email. That wasn't listed as a requirement last week. So I've sent them another email with a copy of my passport. Haven't received a response yet to either email. 🤷‍♂️

Yes, I included a copy of my passport. I had a bit of a look around what there is of their website - it seems to be a work in progress, particularly the frequent flyer bit! Nevertheless it seems they're up and running. Good luck to them.

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Yes, I included a copy of my passport. I had a bit of a look around what there is of their website - it seems to be a work in progress, particularly the frequent flyer bit! Nevertheless it seems they're up and running. Good luck to them.

And after sending another email with a copy of my passport, I received a reply overnight. Status match accepted.

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Al Italia staff not offered a job by ITA staged a protest with a difference in Rome.

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ITA Airways has joined the SkyTeam alliance.

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ITA Airways has joined the SkyTeam alliance.

Excellent, hopefully my status match comes through even though it looks like they have removed QR from the list

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