Alitalia’s successor ITA used to offer status matches very frequently. But since the last promotion ended at the end of 2022, things have been pretty quiet. Until now, because ITA is now offering a simple status match again!
In theory, the status is valid until the end of 2025 after the match has been made. However, there is still a question mark behind this. We assume that the ITA Volare frequent flyer program will be replaced by Miles&More at some point as part of the Lufthansa takeover. But perhaps this will at some point give us the opportunity to continue matching the status to the Senator status.
Recognized Frequent Flyer Programs
According to the ITA website, only the following frequent flyer programs are matched:
- Aegean Miles+Bonus
- Aer Lingus AerClub
- Air China Phoenix Miles
- American 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 Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- TAP Miles&Go
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- Turkish Miles&Smiles
- Westjet Rewards
In a PDF file, you can read which tier you will be assigned at ITA Volare. For a SkyTeam Elite Plus status (Volare Premium) you usually need a Gold status (or BA Silver). We have copied the complete table for you below:
Conditions
The following restrictions must be followed:
- The status match is valid until August 19, 2024
- Not available for Italian residents
- Your current frequent flyer card must be (or have been) valid in 2023 or 2024.
- Anyone who has already participated in an ITA status match in the past is excluded
- Processing can take up to 60 days
Requesting the Status Match
Requesting the match is very easy. First, you need a free account with the frequent flyer program ITA Volare. You can easily create one using the following link:
After the account has been created, you must first confirm the email address. You can then log into your account on the ITA website and find your membership number, as well as a button where you can request the status match:
There you must first select the existing status with another airline. You must also upload a photo of your passport or ID card and attach proof of your existing frequent flyer status:
Status Match requests will be accepted until August 19, 2024. The application should then be processed after 60 days at the latest.
The status will then be valid until December 2025… or until the Volare program is discontinued. The conditions state:
The newly acquired status, and thus the corresponding Club, will remain valid until the end of the calendar year following the year in which entry into that exclusive Club occurred (i.e., until the following December 31, or until the Volare program expires, whichever is earlier).
Benefits
There are four tiers with the following benefits:
- Smart:
- Entry level
- Plus:
- 10% mileage bonus on ITA flights
- Additional baggage allowance (1 piece) on all SkyTeam flights
- SkyTeam Elite status
- Free seat selection on ITA flights
- Priority check-in, boarding, and luggage handling on SkyTeam flights
- Premium:
- All the benefits of Plus
- Security check fast lane before SkyTeam flights
- 20% mileage bonus on ITA flights
- Lounge access before international SkyTeam flights (incl. 1 guest)
- Executive:
- All the benefits of Premium status
- 30% mileage bonus on ITA flights
- Free seat selection on ITA flights (incl. exit row)
- Free wifi on ITA flights
- Free golf luggage on ITA flights
- You can gift a Premium status to somebody (valid for 1 year)
In the early days of Volare, its SkyTeam status was hardly accepted by any other airline. Things are now looking much better in this regard. However, we cannot say whether there may still be some problems.
Cover Picture: Ditmar Lange
Comments (12)
I’m unable to register for the Volare program, it keeps telling me ERROR Required Field and marks the zip-code field in red color, even though I have typed in a zip-code. Basically, the same problem as this guy had: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/creating-a-volare-profile-for-ita-airways-from-canada
Same here.
Positive Surprise: ITA Volare Premium Level (Sky Team Elite-Plus) granted me +guest lounge access to the KLM (non-Schengen) Crown Lounge in AMS and the Air France Lounge in CDG Schengen 2F:
Recently flew: Europe – AMS – Intercontinental / Intercontinental – CDG -Europe with KLM (outbound) and Air France (return). Booked: Economy Class Flexible Ticket issued by KLM.
Although the ITA Volare status unfortunately still cannot be registred in the booking and also not at check-in, fortunately “Sky Priority” was noted on the boarding pass for all segments for both outbound and return flights. This was because the “Sky Priority” benefits are granted for flexible tickets in Europe. But apparently also for intercontinental connecting and in-bound “feeder”-flights. But that does not yet mean lounge access too.
In Amsterdam, I had hoped to get access to the KLM lounge, as there are some positive reports about this. It didn’t work with the boarding pass, but after a short discussion with the lounge receptionist, showing my electronic membership card for the ITA Volare Premium Level, and some quick work on the computer by the agent, I was granted access together with my guest.
For the return flight via CDG, I had actually assumed that there would be no lounge access, as I had only found negative experience reports so far. To my positive surprise, the employee at the lounge reception entered a few things by hand, just like in Amsterdam, and access was granted: After showing my electronic membership card of the ITA Volare Premium Levels / Sky Team Elite Plus, he said “Club premium, yes sure”.
This was VERY good as the new 2F lounge in CDG is really recommendable, not to mention the champagne served at the table and the friendly staff.
Awesome! Glad to hear it
Anyone has a list of the partner airlines of the SkyTeam accepting this programme when booking? Last time I checked KLM/AF still nothing, so for now this match programme seems useless…
Just received email from ITA Volare with ITA Airways’ Volare Premium Club showing the Skyteam Elite Plus icon for both “Premium Level” as well as “Executive Level” (of my friend and EXPIRY DATE 01/23. Has anyone else got the “Skyteam Elite”-only icon? Maybe any anyone with “Plus Level”?
Matched status works without a problem. Just present the status match email confirmation at check in at Sky Priority or Business. Status Level “Executive” has one piece of check-in luggage included without extra pay, even in the light tariff. Flights so far completely regular.
Qatar Gold member matched as Premium (Gold). The result within 24 hours by filling the online form.
i tried this with aegean airlines. status match rejected.
anyone else had luck with aegean ?
Matched with Turkish Airlines Elite Plus (i.e. the black card) and got matched to Executive.
no frequent flyer number given, nor an explanation which tier “Executive” means in their Volare program
ITA wrote “Save this email and always take it with you to take advantage of some special services immediately!”
Took not even 24 hours to process.
Curious what happens next. Will book first flight soon.
The list is perhaps not as random as it first appears; SAS flyers have not currently been targeted, but ITA doesn’t fly to either Denmark, Norway or Sweden. That may come later, when their network expands into SAS territory.
That Egyptair and Aegean aren’t on the list is perhaps a greater surprise!
That Middle Eastern Airlines were included, despite no service to Beirut, could perhaps be explained by their inclusion of all Skyteam member airlines based in Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Etihad Guest may indeed raise some eyebrows given their absence, and also given their previous association with Alitalia.
matched with Delta Platinum and got into 24h the match to Diamonds (Executive).