Airline British is offering a generous limited-time status matching offer to US-based members of its loyalty program, British Airways Executive Club.
BA is a member of the Oneworld alliance, partnering with airlines such as American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. BA status when flying these airlines is even more valuable than holding elite status with American or Alaska’s own program.
So what do you get when you fly? American Airlines in economy class as British Airways? Also, is it worth switching from another loyalty program? This is my experience.
Related: Complete guide to 2024 airline status matches and challenges
What is the British Airways status-matching offer?
US-based members holding the following status levels will be able to match British Airways Executive Club Silver status:
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Gold Medal
- Air Canada Aeroplan 50K
- Lufthansa Miles and many other Senators
- United Airlines MileagePlus Premier Gold
- Air France-KLM Fly Green Yellow
- Scandinavian airline EuroBonus Gold
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver
Additionally, US-based members holding the following status levels will be able to match British Airways’ top-level Executive Club Gold status:
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medal
- Air Canada Aeroplan 75K and Super Elite
- Lufthansa Miles and More Hon Circle
- United MileagePlus Premier Platinum and Premier 1K
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue Platinum
- Scandinavian Airlines EuroBonus Diamond and Pandion
- Virgin Atlantic Gold Flight Club
To participate in this status match, the customer must Apply online and provide valid proof of qualified frequent flyer status.
Daily newsletter
Gift your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers to get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
Once approved, the applicant will be upgraded to the appropriate level in six months. You can extend this period up to one year by booking two qualifying flights or one return flight, subject to the terms and conditions stated on Britishairways.com.
Eligible flights include business or first class flights marketed by BA originating in North America, Canada or Mexico and landing in Europe, Norway or Switzerland; they must be operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, Iberia or Finnair.
This offer is available until May 7.
Related: Get Admirals Club lounge access with British Airways’ generous new status match for US travelers
What do you get when you fly economy class on American Airlines?
I held British Airways Gold status and booked a flight from London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), flying on American Airlines in economy class.
Choose your seat
The first perk was offered when I booked my flight. Upon entering my British Airways Executive Club number when booking, my elite Oneworld status was immediately recognized, allowing me to choose a Main Cabin Extra seat at no additional charge.
While they are the same width as regular economy seats, these seats offer extra legroom, dedicated overhead storage space and complimentary beer, wine and spirits.
Priority check-in
As British Airways is a member of the Oneworld alliance, BA Silver status is equivalent to Oneworld Sapphire, while BA Gold status is Oneworld Emerald. This means you can use the benefit any time you see blue or green discs on a sign like below.
This means that with either status, I can use priority check-in at Heathrow Airport.
What’s even better is that I observed a green disc at the Flagship First check-in counter, so I could check in with my BA Gold status even on an economy ticket; Checking takes less than 60 seconds.
Prioritize security
BA Silver and Gold status provides a priority level of security where available when flying on Oneworld airlines.
At Heathrow Terminal 3, I looked for the “Fast Track” sign and was able to access this shortcut by scanning my boarding pass with my BA loyalty number on it and was able to access the line Priority security, much shorter than regular lines.
Lounge access
Arguably, the most valuable benefit of BA status is worldwide lounge access. While Correct credit card may provide you with access to Priority Pass Lounge around the world, these can be of poor quality and difficult to access during peak periods. However, with Oneworld status I do have access to Heathrow Oneworld lounges.
Related: Overcrowding in waiting rooms is not a new problem – but what can be done about it?
American Airlines operates the Admirals Club and First Class lounge at Heathrow. BA Gold members can access one of two lounges, while BA Silver members are restricted to the Admirals Club.
While American AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members receive Admirals Club lounge access when flying internationally on American Airlines, a key “advantage” that British Airways has over American is that its members BA Silver and Gold also receive lounge access when flying domestically in the US in any class, while AAdvantage members do not.
Related: American Airlines Elite Status: What it is and how to achieve it
That means on an American Airlines $49 basic domestic economy flight from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Charleston International Airport (CHS), I can use the Flagship lounge with BA Gold status – but with the top level Executive Platinum status AAdvantage, I can’t.
When I had access to AA’s First Class lounges, I knew that Terminal 3 had even better options, with some of the best Oneworld lounges in the world.
Eyeing the blue and green plates, I headed to the nearby lounge affiliated with Cathay Pacific, a Oneworld member. Cathay operates business class lounges for Oneworld Sapphires and first class lounges for Oneworld Emeralds.
With my BA Gold status I can access the first class section for free and it doesn’t disappoint; The design makes me feel like I’m in a luxury hotel rather than at an airport.
Forget about cheese and trail mix. This lounge has a sit-down restaurant with an a la carte menu.
I chose the Eggs Florentine with chopped fresh fruit and a flat white coffee made by the barista. All items were delivered in under 10 minutes by the friendly restaurant staff and were excellent.
After breakfast, I enjoyed watching planes arrive and pass by on the crowded runway while waiting for my flight thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Three different complimentary Champagnes, as well as various wines and spirits, are also available to pour yourself without tip.
first belong to 3
BEN SMITHSON/SCREENWRITER
Priority boarding
British Airways Executive Club elite members receive priority boarding when flying in any class of service on Oneworld airlines.
On American Airlines, BA Gold members can board with Group 2, while BA Silver members can board with Group 3.
Main cabin
While regular economy seats have an industry-standard 31 inches of legroom, the Main Cabin Extra seat on my Boeing 777-200 had 34 inches of legroom.
It’s still economy class, but I found the extra 3 inches of legroom to be notable and it’s a comfortable and roomy seat for economy class.
Elite members also earn more Avios (loyalty currency). British Airways Executive Club Program) fly with British Airways or American Airlines.
While Green base-level members earn 6 Avios per pound spent (about $1.25, which is 4.8 Avios per $1), Silver members get 8 Avios per pound (6. 4 Avios per 1 USD), with Gold members receiving 9 Avios per pound (7.2 Avios per pound). $1).
Bottom line
There are many benefits that I enjoy about flying American Airlines in my British Airways status, especially on the ground in London. My Oneworld status was displayed on my boarding pass after I entered it when booking my flight, and all I had to keep an eye on were the clearly marked blue and green discs to access to airport privileges.
While lounge access for elite members flying internationally is not unusual, the reality is that BA status will give anyone flying American Airlines or Alaska domestic access to the lounge Waiting is a huge benefit.
If you hold elite status with any qualifying status plan and are flying on Oneworld airlines soon — especially in economy class in the next six months — you should consider the generosity. Offer consistent with British Airways status. Remember, sign up for this offer is available until May 7.
