Finnair Plus: Status Match Challenge up to Oneworld Sapphire for EuroBonus Members (With One Round-Trip Booking)

Finnair’s loyalty program Finnair Plus has dramatically worsened its program over the past year. However, if SAS EuroBonus members are still interested in joining their program, they can currently take advantage of a status match. You can get instant Finnair Silver or Gold for a year. You only need a single Finnair long-haul booking or a short-haul trip from or to Denmark, Norway or Sweden. Roundtrips to these countries via Helsinki are available for roughly €300.

Terms & Conditions

You have to apply until September 30, 2024 to get matched. Further, you need:

• A Finnair Plus account.
• A status at EuroBonus.
• A Finnair booking that matches the following criteria:
  • Travel before December 15, 2024
  • A round-trip or two one-ways with a Finnair flight number, operated by Finnair or Nordic Regional Airlines
    • Either to or from the USA, Asia, Dubai, or Doha
    • Or any booking to or from Denmark, Norway and Sweden
  • Economy Superlight tickets are excluded from the promotion

Finnair gives the following examples for eligible flights on the promotional page:

• A round-trip booking: from Helsinki to New York and back 
• A round-trip booking: from Oslo to Kraków and back 
• Two one-way bookings: a flight from Doha to Stockholm and a flight from Gothenburg to London 
• Two one-way bookings: a flight from Copenhagen to Paris and a flight from Paris to Osaka

However, any ticket from a Non-Scandinavian country to the USA or Asia should also count, like an Amsterdam to Dubai round-trip, when operated by Finnair.

After being matched, you will gain your new Oneworld status for one year. Existing Finnair Plus members will see their qualifying period reset.

Should you cancel your ticket, Finnair has the right to remove your status.

Instructions

First, you need to register at Finnair Plus. In case you haven’t got an account yet, you can use the link below and register for free:

The next step is writing a mail to loyaltystatus@finnair.com. It must contain the following information:

• Topic: Status Match
• First and last name
• E-mail address and phone number
• Your Finnair Plus account number
• The booking reference of your booking
• A photo or screenshot of your current EuroBonus frequent flyer status.

You will receive your new Oneworld status immediately after Finnair processes your mail. You don’t need to wait until the day of your flight, i.e. you will already enjoy your new status benefits during your trip.

Finnair will match the status like this:

• EuroBonus Silver → Finnair Plus Silver
• EuroBonus Gold/Diamond/Pandion → Finnair Plus Gold

Fitting Flights Starting at €173

Tickets, that match the qualifying criteria, start at €173, since Economy Superlight fares are excluded. Here are some examples – all of them are roundtrip fares. Trips between Helsinki and Copenhagen, Stockholm or Oslo can be done on a single day:

• Stockholm – Helsinki: SEK 1,962 (~€178)
• Helsinki – Stockholm: €178
• Oslo – Helsinki: NOK 2,572 (~€220)
• Copenhagen – Helsinki: DKK 1,787 (~€239)
• Warsaw – Stockholm: PLN 1,171 (~€274)
• London – Stockholm: £247 (~€283)
• Paris – Oslo: €301
• Düsseldorf – Oslo: €318
• Manchester – Stockholm: £277 (~€317)
• Amsterdam – Stockholm: €341

Perks & Benefits

Finnair Plus Silver = Oneworld Ruby

To earn Finnair Silver the regular way, you require 15,000 status points. Since the beginning of this year, earning them is revenue based when flying with the airline.

Finnair Plus Silver is equal to Oneworld Ruby. You enjoy the following benefits on Oneworld flights:

• Priority Check-in
• Higher wait list priority
• On select airlines: (e.g. AA) Additional free checked bags + priority boarding
• On select airlines: free seat selection

On flights with Finnair, you enjoy the following benefits on top:

• Priority lane during security
• Buy lounge access in Helsinki for €29 per person.
• 50% discount on additional checked bags (up to 23kg)
• 50% discount on seat selection (except comfort & extra leg-room seats)
• 10% discount on onboard purchases (except food & beverages)
• Earn 7 instead of 6 Avios per Euro spent on Finnair tickets
• 10% bonus Avios for flights with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia

Finnair Plus Gold = Oneworld Sapphire

To earn Finnair Gold the regular way, you need to earn 45,000 status points.

Finnair Plus Silver is equal to Oneworld Sapphire, which is comparable to Star Alliance Gold or SkyTeam Elite Plus. You enjoy the following benefits on all Oneworld flights:

• Access to Oneworld business class lounges (+one guest)
• Additional free checked bags (not on light fares from select airlines, e.g. BA)
• Priority Boarding
• Priority baggage tags

On flights with Finnair, you enjoy the following benefits on top:

• Free seat selection (except extra leg-room seats)
• Guaranteed availability up to 48 hours prior to departure (booking class Y in Economy, J/C/D in business)
• 60 minutes free WiFi access on long-haul flights
• 30 minutes free WiFi access on short-haul flights
• Earn 7 instead of 6 Avios per Euro spent on Finnair tickets
• 15% bonus Avios for flights with American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia
• (Four Upgrade Vouchers, redeemable for:
  • 4 Upgrades Economy → Business Class within Europe
  • or 2 Upgrades Economy → Premium Economy on long-haul flights
  • or 1 Upgrade Economy → Business Class on long-haul flights)¹

¹ We have no confirmation this benefit is part of the status match.

Bottom Line

Over the past two years, Finnair Plus has declined from one of Oneworld’s best to one of its most unattractive programs. Especially, redemption options have gotten worse to alternatives within the alliance. At least, SAS EuroBonus members can get 12 months of Oneworld Sapphire out of it.

While we have seen simpler matches in the past, if you have planned a long-haul journey this year anyway, you don’t have much to lose by participating. The inclusion of short-haul trips makes this even more attractive, especially for residents of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Even in the opposite direction, gaining Oneworld Sapphire might be worth spending €300 and spending a couple of days in the cold Nordic winter.

Cover Picture: © Finnair