Two months ago, British Airways announced massive changes to its frequent flyer program. Starting in April 2025, revenue in euros will determine the qualification for frequent flyer status. Shortly afterwards, the Iberia Plus program followed suit and also introduced spend-based status points.
As a result, many Oneworld status holders are interested in switching to other alliances and programs. Lufthansa sees this as an opportunity to attract frequent flyers to its own program. Frequent flyers from British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus can currently secure an FTL or Senator status via status match until February 2026.
Unfortunately, the match is only possible via statusmatch.com. As a consequence, anyone who wants to participate has to pay a fee of €99, regardless of which status they receive.
Available Status Matches
The status match is exclusively offered to status holders of British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus. The matches are as follows:
- BA Executive Club Silver → Miles&More FTL
- BA Executive Club Gold & above → Miles&More Senator
- Iberia Plus Plata → Miles&More FTL
- Iberia Plus Oro & above → Miles&More Senator
Notably, there is an unequal treatment of status holders. While an Oneworld Sapphire from Iberia is enough to qualify for Senator status, BA members need Gold = Oneworld Emerald. Iberia customers are therefore significantly better positioned than those from British Airways.
Conditions
The following restrictions apply:
- Expiration date: Unknown
- Processing time: Up to 10 business days
- Validity: Status is valid until February 2026
- Extension: To maintain the status beyond this period, regular criteria must be met
- More information: Available in the FAQ
How It Works
You can apply for the status match via lufthansa.statusmatch.com. The application form first asks for your British Airways or Iberia status. In the next step, you must provide proof, which can be a photo of your physical status card (if available) or a screenshot from the app or website of the program.
I couldn’t test further, likely because I participated in the SAS status match a few months ago and am currently a Senator. Normally, the next step should confirm the match and charge the €99 fee (payable by credit card).
Status Benefits
Below is a detailed overview of the benefits you’ll receive until February 2026 after a successful status match.
Frequent Traveller (FTL)
Normally, 650 points are required for FTL, including 325 qualifying points. This could be achieved e.g. with three one-way business-class flights across the Atlantic, including at least two feeder flights within Europe.
FTL benefits include:
- Miles do not expire
- Executive Bonus: 25% of the distance as extra award miles (or 50% bonus for spend-based calculation)
- Star Alliance flight benefits:
- Access to Lufthansa Group business lounges (without a guest)
- Higher priority on the waiting list
- Priority boarding on some airlines
- Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Discover & Brussels Airlines flight benefits:
- Business-class check-in
- 1 additional piece of checked baggage (except in Light fares)
- Access to Frankfurt Welcome Lounge after a long-haul flight
- Eurowings flight benefits:
- Lufthansa business lounge access (from Smart Fare)
- Priority check-in
- United Airlines flight benefits:
- 23 kg free baggage allowance (unclear if this applies to Basic Economy)
- LOT Polish Airlines flight benefits:
- 1× 23 kg free baggage (instead of 0) in Economy Light
- 2× 23 kg free baggage (instead of 1× 23 kg) in Economy Standard
- Luxair & Croatia Airlines flight benefits:
- 1 additional piece of baggage (except in Economy Light)
Senator
Normally, 2,000 points are required for Senator status, including 1,000 qualifying points. This would be roughly equivalent to 10 one-way long-haul business-class flights.
Key benefits of Senator status:
- Miles do not expire
- Executive Bonus: 25% of the distance as extra award miles (or 50% bonus for spend-based calculation)
- Dedicated hotline
- Companion Award: 50% mile discount on an award flight for a companion
- Star Alliance (Gold) benefits:
- Access to Star Alliance business-class lounges (incl. 1 guest)
- Additional free baggage (some exceptions in Light fares)
- Check-in at business/first-class counters
- Priority boarding
- Expedited security screening (where available)
- Higher waiting list priority
- Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Discover & Brussels Airlines:
- 1× 23 kg free baggage in Economy Light (on long-haul, possibly only with Lufthansa)
- Lounge access upon arrival (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss flights)
- Free seat reservations, except for Economy Light on European flights
- Free selection of extra legroom seats
- Eurowings:
- Priority check-in & boarding
- Security Fast Lane access
- Lounge access with 1 guest (from Smart fare)
- Large cabin baggage (up to 8 kg) free in Basic fare
- LOT:
- An extra piece of luggage in all fares
- Free seat reservations
- Luxair:
- 1 additional piece of baggage (except in Economy Light)
Two standard Senator benefits are NOT included in the status match:
- No eVouchers
- No mileage advance (Meilenvorschuss) – Normally, this allows members to overdraw their mileage account by up to 50,000 miles.
Conclusion
It’s a bit ironic that Miles&More is trying to attract foreign frequent flyers shortly after devaluing its own miles. Many travellers are now actively looking for alternatives rather than switching to Miles&More.
However, despite the €99 fee, this status match is a solid offer. While miles may have lost value, Senator status still provides some perks that exceed the usual Star Alliance Gold benefits.
Miles&More is generally cautious with status matches. The last match was in autumn when SAS left Star Alliance. Back then, the match was free and lasted up to 20 months (after completing six flight segments).
Translated by Ditmar
Cover Picture: © Lufthansa Group
Comment (1)
It is time to have a Miles&More Status Match arranged for Flying Blue Lifetime Platinum members.