Virgin Atlantic returned to Canada nearly two months ago when they started flying between Toronto and London Heathrow on March 30th. We’ve featured the airline’s return in numerous posts including an Award Availability Alert where you could fly on the route for as little as 6,000 Virgin points but did you know you can also match your Air Canada Elite Status to Virgin Atlantic?
The Air Canada to Virgin Atlantic Status Match
Virgin Atlantic has had an elite status match opportunity in market for well over a year now but when it launched in early 2024 it did not include Air Canada. Sometime over the course of the last 15 months or so they added Air Canada to the list of airlines you can match to. I’m sure they added AC as a result of their new Toronto route as it makes a lot of sense for them to try to attract more AC customers now!
This status match opportunity does require a flight with Virgin Atlantic (or a codeshare with a VS flight number) so it’s not a straight match where I would more inclined to call it a Fast Track to Elite Status but VS calls it a status match so we’ll go with that.
Here are the criteria:
And the matched mapping of Air Canada Aeroplan to Virgin Atlantic:
So to get top tier status with Virgin Atlantic you need to have Aeroplan 50K status or higher and fly Premium Economy or Business Class.
Flying Club Gold Status benefits:
The way the terms and condition read, if you are 50K, 75K, or Super Elite but fly only economy class you will receive Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver status.
Aeroplan 25K and 35K members can only match to Silver status with this opportunity.
Flying Club Silver Status benefits:
Now, you will get your status match prior to flying as the requirement is that you book a qualifying flight first and then request the status match. If you are approved you will receive the appropriate status with Virgin Atlantic 72 hours prior to departure and you will have the status for 12 months from that time.
!! NOTE: If you also have status with a SkyTeam airline you will not be able to receive this status match. !!
Other airline elite members can match as well
The status match opportunity is not limited to Air Canada elite members. If you have elite status with American AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Cathay, Miles & More, United MileagePlus or several other airlines, you can also go for this status match opportunity.
Wrapping it up
If you are planning on flying on Virgin Atlantic’s new Toronto-London route or any other Virgin flight for that matter and hold status with Air Canada or numerous other airlines you can get yourself an easy status match in Virgin’s Flying Club program.
Click here for more details, to book flights with Virgin and to apply for the Status Match.
Here are the key terms of this offer:
- If you’ve booked a Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin and have a top tier membership with another airline, we’ll award you Silver status. If you upgrade your flight to Premium or Upper Class before we apply your status match, let us know. We’ll review your application and may be able to move you from Silver to Gold status.
- This offer is not available to Flying Club members who have previously enjoyed Flying Club Gold or Silver status via status match within the past 5 years.
- This offer is not available to Flying Club members who also hold any level of membership with one of our SkyTeam partners.
- We need proof of your status with your other airline including your full name, status level and expiry date of your current status. Your matching status must be valid when you travel.
- Once you’ve sent us confirmation of your status, we’ll give it a once over and let you know what status you’re eligible for. We’ll get in touch about your new Flying Club status via email.
- We’ll upgrade your status 72 hours before your qualifying flight. For a valid status match, you’ll need to have your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club number on your booking when you apply and when you travel.
- Once your Flying Club account tier is updated, it can take up to 48 hours for the new status to show on your booking.
- If you apply for a status match within 48 hours of your qualifying flight, your new status may not be updated in time for your departure. You won’t be able to make the most of your new status benefits until you update your reservation with your new status level.
- If you change your dates or travel plans, you’ll need to let the status match team know before your departure. Your status match is linked to the qualifying booking you give when you apply. If this booking is cancelled or changed without notice, your status match will be cancelled, and your status will revert back to Red. You won’t be able to apply for any future status matches.
- Your Flying Club Gold or Silver membership is valid for 12 months from the date your account is upgraded.
- Gold members need to earn 1000 tier points in the membership period to keep their Gold status.
- Silver members need to earn 400 tier points in the membership period to keep their Silver status.
- Each Flying Club member may only open one account. If you open multiple accounts, you’ll be in breach of the Flying Club terms and conditions which could lead to restrictions and/or all of your accounts being closed.
- This offer cannot be transferred to another traveller.
- Virgin Atlantic has the right to withdraw our offer at any time. Virgin Atlantic hold the right to approve Gold and Silver membership.
