Vietnam Airlines Status Match Gives an Easy Path to SkyTeam Elite Benefits

Vietnam Airlines' Lotusmiles program is running a paid status match, and it's worth a look if you have existing airline or hotel elite status and want SkyTeam elite benefits. The match has been running for some time, but One Mile at a Time brought it to my attention.

The amount you'll pay depends on the tier you match to. Titanium (SkyTeam Elite) runs $129–159, Gold (SkyTeam Elite) runs $219–239, and Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus) runs $359.

You can match from nearly 50 airline programs and almost 20 hotel programs, and matched status lasts for 12 months. Most major airline and hotel elite status qualifies, though you cannot match from another SkyTeam carrier. This status match is open to residents of about 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and most of Europe and Asia.

Lotusmiles Platinum includes SkyTeam Elite Plus status, with benefits like priority check-in, security, and boarding, extra bags, and lounge access on select SkyTeam itineraries (with some regional restrictions). Notable SkyTeam members include Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and Aeroméxico.

Andrew's Take

$359 for a year of SkyTeam Elite Plus isn't cheap, so the math only makes sense if you've got SkyTeam flights on the calendar. If you're flying SkyTeam a few times over the next 12 months, it can pay for itself with lounge access and skipped bag fees alone. If you're not flying SkyTeam, skip it.