The Vietnamese newcomer Bamboo Airways had already offered a status match last year. From now on, frequent flyers worldwide can participate again. The promotion is open to anyone that holds any Oneworld, SkyTeam or Star Alliance status.
With a Star Alliance Gold, Oneworld Emerald or SkyTeam Elite Plus status, you’d even get the highest possible status in the Bamboo Club, which is First. This grants you, among other things, 20 kg of additional baggage allowance, priority check-in and preferred seat selection. Overall, however, there aren’t many advantages.
Besides a lot of Vietnamese domestic flights and international flights in Asia, Bamboo Airways also flies to Prague and Frankfurt and is looking to expand, so even if Bamboo Airways is still an unknown player on the European market, the match could pay off. The status should be valid for 12 months.
You’ll Get This Status
On the Bamboo Airways website, you will find an overview that lists exactly which status levels are matched. If one leaves out Lotus Miles, the frequent flyer program of the competitor Vietnam Airlines, the following general rule remains:
- SkyTeam Elite ⇾ Bamboo Club Gold
- Star Alliance Silver ⇾ Bamboo Club Gold
- Oneworld Ruby ⇾ Bamboo Club Gold
- Oneworld Sapphire ⇾ Bamboo Club Diamond
- SkyTeam Elite Plus ⇾ Bamboo Club First
- Star Alliance Gold ⇾ Bamboo Club First
- Oneworld Emerald ⇾ Bamboo Club First
All SkyTeam, Oneworld, and Star Alliance status holders can participate. Bamboo Airways does not have a limitation to individual airlines. In other words: It doesn’t matter whether you have earned your Star Alliance Gold status at Miles&More, SAS Eurobonus, or Aegean Miles+Bonus, to name a few examples.
Status Benefits
While there aren’t many benefits for the Gold status, Diamond and First are a little better. According to the Bamboo Airways website, members receive the following benefits:
Bamboo Club Gold
As described above, a SkyTeam Elite, Oneworld Ruby or Star Alliance Silver status will get you the Gold status. This grants the following notable advantages:
- Business class check-in
- Preferred seat choice
- Fast lane for security check
- 5 kg additional baggage allowance
- 50 bonus points on birthday
Bamboo Club Diamond
The mid-level Diamond status is only available when you match a Oneworld Sapphire status. The following advantages are offered:
- Business class check-in with 1 guest
- Preferred seat choice
- Fast lane for security check
- 10 kg additional baggage allowance
- 100 bonus points on birthday
- Upgrade if the original cabin class is fully booked and an upgrade to business class is available
Bamboo Club First
Due to the low requirements, most of you will probably get the First status. This offers the following advantages:
- Business class check-in with 2 guests
- Access to the business class lounge (without guest, only with international ticket)
- Preferred seat choice
- Fast lane for security check
- 20 kg additional baggage allowance
- 150 bonus points on birthday
- Upgrade if the original cabin class is fully booked and an upgrade to business class is available
Unfortunately, the supposedly free upgrade with Diamond & First status doesn’t sound too tempting upon closer inspection. It seems like the upgrades are only available on an overbooked / fully booked aircraft. Also, a physical membership card can sadly only be sent within Vietnam.
Application Process
Status Match will be offered until December 31, 2022. If it interests you, just follow the steps below:
1. Register at the Bamboo Club
First, you need a free account at the Bamboo Airways Club. You can create one here. The registration is self-explanatory – at least after you have set the language to English in the top right corner.
There is a note on the Bamboo Airways website that membership would require a postal address in Vietnam. However, we have been confirmed that this is not the case.
2. Take A Photo / Screenshot Of the Frequent Flyer Card
Next, you will need proof of the frequent flyer status you have. Ideally, you can take a photo of the plastic card with your name and existing status.
Since more and more programs have switched to purely digital membership cards, a screenshot of the app or website is otherwise sufficient. It must show your frequent flyer number, the expiry date and of course the status level.
3. Fill out the Form
Bamboo Airways uses a Google Form to request a Status Match. You can reach it via the following link:
You must enter or upload the following data there:
- Name
- Passport / ID card number
- Phone number
- eMail address
- Address1
- Bamboo Club membership number
- Photo of passport or ID card
- Frequent flyer number and status at the other airline
- Photo or screenshot of the status card
1 – the form explicitly asks for a Vietnamese address. We received confirmation via email that international customers with an international address can also take part in the status match. Then, however, no status card will be sent by post, you have to be satisfied with the digital card.
If you’re concerned about sending a photo of your passport to an airline using a Google Form, we understand your concerns. It may be advisable to cover some parts, such as the passport number so that in the event of a data leak, no/fewer scams can be made.
4. Take Advantage
According to the website, you have to wait three to five working days after applying for a status match. You should then receive an email confirmation with further information.
In fact, it took me more than two weeks until the following mail arrived:
Overall, everything worked out, even without an address in Vietnam. So, better late than never. You can then use the advantages described above for one year. To keep the status after that, you have to fulfil the regular conditions. That means at least 30 segments for First status
Cover Picture: © Bamboo Airways