On September 1, 2024, Star Alliance founding member Scandinavian Airlines has left the alliance and became a member of SkyTeam. Anybody holding a SAS EuroBonus tier no longer receives status benefits on flights with ANA, Lufthansa, United Airlines or other Star Alliance members. Holders of those statuses no longer receive priority treatment on SAS flights, either.
Because of that development, we’ve already seen two (comparatively easy) status matches. Lufthansa offered a match to its Miles&More program, which is now expired. You can also match your EuroBonus status to Norwegian.
Now the list of possible matches has been extended notably: Many Star Alliance loyalty programs currently offer to match EuroBonus tier holders. Among the ten possible matches, some are incredibly good. For example, if you decide to match to Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid program, you will be granted Star Alliance Gold status for 24 months, without travelling to Thailand even once.
In contrast to other matches offered by statusmatch.com, this deal is entirely free. The only restriction is that members who got their EuroBonus status via a match cannot participate in this challenge.
Anyone who already matched their EuroBonus status to Miles&More earlier this year cannot participate in this bid.
Table of Content
These Programs Match Your Status
In total, ten different programs offer to match your EuroBonus status. Depending on the program, you either have to complete a Status Challenge (a short trial period that gets extended after a certain number of points or flights) or a much easier Status Match.
In the best case, you will be granted 24 months of Star Alliance Gold without any additional requirements. Other programs only grant a four-month trial period, but can be much more interesting when it comes to possible perks.
Generally speaking, EuroBonus Silver status is usually matched to Star Alliance Silver. EuroBonus Gold or Diamond is rewarded with the (much more valuable) Star Alliance Gold status. Some programs refuse to match EuroBonus Silver at all.
Here is a quick summary of programs offering the status match (and how long):
- Air Canada Aeroplan: Until December 2025
- Air China PhoenixMiles: 12 months
- Air India Flying Returns: 6 months; + 12additional months after completing the challenge
Miles&More: Until February 2025; +12 additional months after completing the challenge- Ethiopian ShebaMiles: Until December 2024; +12 additional months after completing the challenge
- South African SAA Voyager: Until December 2025
- TAP Miles&Go: 12 months; +12 additional months after completing the challenge
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus: 24 months (!)
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles: 4 months; + +12 or 24 additional months after completing the challenge(s)
- United MileagePlus: 120 days; until January 2026 after completing the challenge
We don’t recommend choosing MileagePlus or Miles&Smiles. These are permanent offers, which are also available directly in United’s and Turkish Airlines’ websites respectively.
Some Star Alliance members (Aegean, Air New Zealand, Asiana, Avianca, Copa, Egyptair, EVA Air & Singapore Airlines) don’t offer a match during this program.
Which Program To Pick?
From where we stand, there are three outstanding offers during this match:
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus (24 months validity without any challenge)
- Air Canada Aeroplan (More than a year of validity without any challenge, additional perks on Eurowings flights and 3×32 kg baggage allowance on Air Canada flights)
Miles&More (Highly valuable bonuses on Lufthansa Group flights like lounge access upon arrival, extra legroom seating and more)
For most people, Thai Royal Orchid is the most attractive option. Depending on your flying patterns, the other two options can be tempting, as well. Here are the most crucial benefits of those three offers:
Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
You want to extend your Star Alliance Gold as long and as easy as possible? We already have a winner. All usual Star Alliance Gold perks like priority check-in, lounge access and free luggage (based on your fare) are part of the deal.
- Tiers:
- SAS EuroBonus Gold / Diamond → Royal Orchid Plus Gold
- No match for EuroBonus Silver
- Validity:
- 24 months
Air Canada Aeroplan
Aeroplan grants you the status until December 2025, without any need to board an Air Canada plane even once.
It is the most valuable if you are travelling with Air Canada often. Even in economy light, you will receive the aforementioned 96kg free baggage allowance. Even better, Aeroplan Elite 50K is one of the few tiers that grants lounge access on flights with Eurowings, Edelweiss and Discover Airlines. It is also one of the most attractive programs for mileage redemptions.
- Tiers:
- SAS EuroBonus Silver → Aeroplan Elite 25K (Star Alliance Silver)
- SAS EuroBonus Gold/Diamond → Aeroplan Elite 50K (Star Alliance Gold)
- Validity:
- bis Dezember 2025, ohne Challenge
- Additional benefits when flying Air Canada:
- Elite 25K:
- Extra-legroom seats for free upon check-in (light fares excluded)
- 2x 23 kg free baggage allowance + free sports bags
- 25% more miles on AC, UA, LH, OS, LX and SN
- 2 lounge passes
- Upgrade credits (unclear if part of the match)
- Elite 50K:
- Extra-legroom seats for free upon check-in (light fares excluded)
- 3x 32 kg free baggage allowance + free sports bags
- 50% more miles on AC, UA, LH, OS, LX and SN
- Upgrade credits?
- Elite 25K:
- Additional additional benefits:
- Status benefits on flights with Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, Emirates & Virgin Australia
Star Alliance Gold Benefits
Star Alliance Gold is the highest possible status within the Alliance. The following benefits apply on all flights with Star Alliance members:
Star Alliance Gold Benefits
- Priority Check-in (business or first class counter)
- Additional free hold luggage (many light fares exluded)
- Prioritiy baggage handling
- Security fast track (at more than 120 airports), sometimes even at immigration
- Lounge access at more than 1,000 Star Alliance Gold lounges +1 guest on the same flight
- Higher wait list priority
- Priority Boarding
Most airlines grant status holders additional benefits. Sadly, Star Alliance Silver is rather limited and a significantly weaker status than the equivalent SkyTeam Elite.
How to Match
The application process is very similar to other matches like this. The main difference is the extra step of choosing the program you want to match to.
Of course, you first need to open a (free) account at the target program. Enter your membership number into the application form.
Then, you need to upload proof of your current EuroBonus status. That can be either a screenshot from your account or a photo of your plastic card:
Processing the application can take up to three weeks. If the match is granted, your account will be updated. Please remember, you can only match to one Star Alliance program. Picking multiple programs is not possible.
Translated by Felix
Thanks to our source, LoyaltyLobby!
Cover Picture: by Chris Leipelt on unsplash
Comments (5)
And?
Very slippery that Star Alliance allow Lufthansa to advertise their status match long before the other airlines did. I matched my SAS EB Gold to Lufthansa and now found out I could have gotten Thai for 24 months without flying. I’m very disappointed at Star Alliance Status Match and Lufthansa for their crocked offer.
how should they know if the current sas status has been obtained via a status match?
still dont know if i should try to air canada or thai as thai could also leave star alliance.
thanks for this post!
Usually, they request a screenshot of your points. From that they can see your recent activity – or if there was any.
Upon matching to TG*G, I noticed the form indicates 12 months instead of the usual 24. Will report once approved.