About a week ago, Qatar Airways launched a status match for elite members of selected airlines, including Singapore Airlines. This allowed members to turn their existing KrisFlyer/PPS status into oneworld Sapphire or Emerald, unlocking access to several lounges at Changi including the Qantas First Class lounge (when it reopens, at least).
Applications for status matching were originally set to close on 20 May 2020. However, Qatar Airways has now extended the deadline to 28 May 2020, 6.59 a.m Singapore time.
Read the full details and T&Cs here
It seems they’re also receiving a high volume of applications, because the review period has been increased from 10 days to 20 days. Fortunately, no one’s rushing out to fly now eh?
Which airlines is Qatar Airways status matching?
As a reminder, elite status holders with the following airlines can apply for a match:
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- South African Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Virgin Australia status was previously being matched, but has been left out of the latest T&Cs.
Your matched status will be valid for 12 months, meaning you’ll enjoy elite benefits until May 2021.
Qatar has also cut the number of Qpoints required to retain status in half, allowing you to extend your membership a further year to May 2022. I’m more lukewarm about this, given you’d have to credit flights to Qatar Privilege Club and earn Qmiles- these have historically been devalued without notice, and you pay ridiculous “redemption fees” when redeeming them.
| Membership Tier | Points Required to Maintain |
| Platinum | |
| Gold | |
| Silver |
What status will I receive?
As a reminder, Qatar Airways Privilege Club has four tiers:
- Burgundy (no status)
- Silver (oneworld Ruby)
- Gold (oneworld Sapphire)
- Platinum (oneworld Emerald)
Qatar Airways has not explicitly stated how the tier match will work, but Executive Traveller has the tiers mapped as such:
| Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
 Singapore Airlines |
KF Elite Silver | KF Elite Gold | PPS Club/ Solitaire PPS Club |
 Emirates |
Skywards Silver | Skywards Gold | Skywards Platinum |
 Etihad |
Guest Silver | Gust Gold | Guest Platinum |
 Turkish |
M&S Classic Plus | M&S Elite | M&S Elite Plus |
 South African |
Voyager Silver | Voyager Gold | Voyager Platinum |
This makes logical sense to me, although the final decision remains at the discretion of Qatar Airways.
How do I apply for a Qatar Airways status match?
The first thing to do is sign up for a Qatar Airways Privilege Club membership, if you don’t already have one. It’s free, and can be done here.
Second, send the following information to statusmatch@qmiles.com with the subject “Privilege Club Status Match”:
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club membership number
- Last two months statement from your current program
- Copy of the current frequent flyer membership card
Qatar Airways will review your application and approve/deny it within 20 business days. I wouldn’t be too worried about a lack of account activity over the past two months- I don’t think anyone around the world has been flying.
What lounges can I access in Changi with Qatar Privilege Club status?
If your status match is approved and you get Gold or Platinum status, you’ll have quite the selection of lounges the next time you fly out of Changi Airport.
In Terminal 1, you’ll be able to visit the Qantas Business Class lounge, and the British Airways Business Class lounge. Unfortunately, Qatar Gold/Platinum members flying in Economy Class won’t be able to access the Qatar Airways Premium lounge, which is easily my favourite Business Class lounge in Changi at the moment.
If you’re a Platinum member, you’ll also have access to the Qantas First Class lounge, which has hands down some of the best dining I’ve ever had in an airport.
Over in Terminal 4 (when it reopens), you’ll be able to visit the Cathay Pacific Lounge, another very nice facility with a noodle bar and champagne.
Both oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members may invite one guest to join them in the lounge, provided he/she is travelling on a oneworld operated and marketed flight.
Conclusion
Qatar Airways is offering a second bite at the cherry to those who missed out the first time round. If you already hold status with Singapore Airlines (or any of the other eligible airlines), there’s really no harm sending in an application. It’d be great to have both Star Alliance and oneworld elite status, after all.
As of today, we still haven’t heard any successful data points of people getting matched. I’m guessing the Qatar Airways team must have received an overwhelming volume of applications, and the Eid Al Fitr holiday is probably delaying processing.
That said, do drop a comment below if you manage to get matched!
I received an acknowledgement email (with a Service Request Number) yesterday, one week after I put in my application. Let’s see how long the status matching works.
Hey.. Did you match to Krisflyer? How did you share the statement that they need, they’re not accepting screenshots and I can’t figure out how to download.
I received an email to re-submit statements but as per above, I can only do screenshots which captures my name and KrisFlyer number. When you press print button it doesn’t give you the name and number,
I applied on 18 May to match to KF PPS, but haven’t received any acknowledgement yet.
Lounge access aside, another great benefit of having gold or platinum status with QR is Qcredits, which can be used for an upgrade. Sure, they can only be used when โsaverโ award space is available but the fact that they offer this perk, even at gold tier, is great – not many FFPs do.
I have just gotten an official email reply to my status match. Privilege club Gold member matched for PPS. Hmm, thinking if I should I appeal?
Same here PPS to gold not platinum. How you think will appeal
Me too PPS > Gold status. So guess youโd need TPPS to get platinum
Yea. Just read Aaronโs article closely again, I guess itโs at the discretion of Qatar.
Well, better than nothing! Just hope that I will be able to utilise this at least once in the next 12 months
Got mine. Platinum matched to Solitaire
I just got my email reply – KF Gold for Gold privilege club. I sent the email on 19 May.