Matching Question

First, I stumbled across this website (great job by the way) and am a brand new flier to the VS club.

I was curious though, has anyone heard if VS is going to ever match AA status? I normally do the LAX/LHR long haul 2 times a month, and would love to get my Executive Platinum matched...

Honestly, I would happily move over to VS forever...but wished they had a matching program like they did for their Quantas/Cathay Pacific Promotion in Australia.

Anyone heard any good tips for this?

Thanks! And sorry if this is the 1 millionith time something like this was posted...

[preiffer]

Hi Corpsuit, and welcome [y]

It has been known (VS are particularly interested in poaching BA traffic ), but there's no hard and fast rule.

They'll want to see previous proof of flight history on one of their routes (which you seem to have), along with at least SOME proof of future commitment to VS - ie: 3/4 premium flights booked in the future. If you can provide that, I've heard of it being done before.

Just email / call FlyingClub and see what they can do (but, as above - be ready with at least some evidence of past & future spend in premium classes...)

I've not heard of VS ever doing matching. Star Alliance does run matching promos all the time, but never heard of VS doing it. The only VS thing I can recall was after 9/11 when they lowered the threshold for reaching Gold status briefly?!

[preiffer]

BB - I can guarantee they match from BA/OW. I personally know of two "matchees"...

As I said above, however, it needs proof that you're worth their while.

Cool! Thanks, I can prove it with my numerous LAX/LHR ticket stubs. I emailed VS, but now I am in the waiting game of waiting for a reply. I am booking my first flight in January. Although, I was looking at their Premium Economy seats and it seems that the AA Business Class is a tad bit better...

Anyone care to comment on flying PE Class? Also, I am flying out in a 340 (PE) and coming back on a 346 (Economy).

Thanks again for the quick posts.

[preiffer]

One simple comment on PE - it is NOT "Business Class".

Unfortunately, with the whole "Domestic First Class" thing, those in the US seem to be under the impression that Upper Class = First and PE = Business. This is not the case.

Although most US Airlines' Business Class is severely behind those of other International Carriers (Quantas/SQ/BA/VS etc), it is a much better seat/service than VS' Premium Economy. (Do not forget the "E" word in it's name...!)

[Scrooge]

Hey Alex,first of all welcome to V-Flyer.

As someone that flies domestic first that would probably be pretty close in terms of legroom etc,seats a re a little wider than PE but that's about it.

The IFE should be better than most first/biz over here.

As has been previously stated, PE is not a first class product- and us in the US can't compare it to such. It is an enhanced economy service, simply with larger, more comfortable seats and more leg room.

I have not flown PE on a 343/346, only on a 744. PE is incredibly worth it if you can get upperdeck on a 744 (something you definetly won't experience on AA). Staff to passenger ratio is high, service is excellent, and its quiet.

IMO you can't really compare VS service to a domestic US carrier, as nobody really offers a comparable product. Upper Class is simply the best of anything in the skies- although I know I can't afford it (I work in Customer Service for Delta, remember- haha).

As others have said, sometimes status matches are made if you can proove future commitment to the company and a past flight history. You may need to make a few flights with VS before they'll give it to you though, and I would recommend these not be made in the back if you're really looking for a status jump.

For a while, we (DL) allowed people from US to get a status match. I don't know if it was company policy, or just happening at my airport, but we did give several Chairmans Preferred from US elite status with us.

Originally posted by webdes03
For a while, we (DL) allowed people from US to get a status match. I don't know if it was company policy, or just happening at my airport, but we did give several Chairmans Preferred from US elite status with us.

Yeah the reason I was asking is because my company has a few preferred carriers, which we fly. So for example, on USA I am Gold, DL I am Silver, AA I am Exec Platinum. The USA & DL are gratis from the airline because our company does millions and millions of dollars of business with them. Its kind of nice...AA is the only one I have to earn...

I'll just have to keep working through the Flying Club, but it would be best to fly them at least once and then try I am assuming.

Also, I have a buddy who works in BA Marketing, I think he is some sort of Director or Manager...he said he had a coworker leave to go to VS. Maybe I can work that angle too.

Oh well. I'll post sometime what ends up happening.

Thank you everyone for the advice and tips!

Well I am kinda screwed. I posted in another topic that AA launched a CRAZY airfare sale on their LHR routes. I was able to get 3 tickets for $550 each for January & March...

My February ticket is still up in the air because the lowest fare I could find on the sale was $770, which I thought was a little strange.

So my VS flight plans will be delayed until February. Oh, and RT from Chicago to LHR was only $440, booked one of those too for February...

I am assuming VS will have to respond quickly with their own fare drop.

[preiffer]

As posted in that other thread - VS already have their fare sale on.

To be honest, the fact that you booked in Y with AA as a result of them running a promotion is one of the reasons VS don't status match that often - if customers show no loyalty to them, why would they go to (potentially huge) expense to reciprocate by offering a free Gold card?


To run to a gold card, you'd need to fly 10 return flights in Y, 7 return flights in PE or 4 return flights in J with VS.

Originally posted by preiffer
...To run to a gold card, you'd need to fly 10 return flights in Y, 7 return flights in PE or 4 return flights in J with VS.

Or first visit here, buy a membership kit and then visit the Clubhouse to find out how to get a gold card rather more economically. :D

Best wishes

David