ITA leaves Skyteam? secure yourself with Vietnam Airlines status match

With almost perfect timing for Italian passengers, Vietnam Airlines, the national airline of Vietnam and a member of the SkyTeam alliance, has launched an exclusive status match offer Also open to Italian citizens.

Elite status holders from dozens of eligible airlines can apply for a Upgrades to Lotusmiles Titanium, Gold or Platinum based on the level of status they hold With their current airline.

Given that the company will soon begin flying from Milan. could also be an interesting move because of the generous upgrades I read being granted To Lotus Miles program holders.

Who can apply for Vietnam Airlines match status

At the moment the Volare card is not being "attacked," but since many Italian users have a non-Skyteam card in their wallets, this may be the time to put a status in their pocket that will grant 100% Skypriority privileges after April 30, the latest date after which ITA will no longer be part of this alliance.

Which tiles are "attacked" by this Status Match campaign

Vietnam Airlines match status is on a pay-as-you-go basis

The trend of companies is to make cash with these campaigns. If you used to be obliged to complete challenges (e.g., fly or buy a ticket) now you just have to pay and get the card within 24/48h.

The price varies from a minimum of 99$ to a maximum of 299$ depending on the level of card required. The card will be valid for 12 months from the time it is issued.

Who benefits from this status match

As I always say, it is important to understand that having status is NOT needed if you don't fly economy, or if you have no concrete plans in the medium term.

This for example is the message I received from a reader who had requested the MS by Royal Jordanian, still active, and how it has amply repaid the investment.

Since this status match of Vietnam Airlines. is open worldwide to non-Skyteam card holders to use as a quid pro quo, my advice is to use it if:

• You have the status with ITA Airways And you want to prepare for the exit of the Italian company to move to Star Alliance
• You are scheduled to fly with Skyteam carriers. such as Air France, Delta or Vietnam Airlines itself in the next 12 months.

The interesting thing is that if you have a Top Tier. you can choose a status match to Platinum or Gold And not necessarily the Titanium.

What benefits individual Vietnam Airlines LotuSmiles cards have.

In the Skyteam alliance there are only two levels Skyteam Elite and Skyteam Elite Plus. The second is the one that triggers all Skypriority privileges.

Titanium and Gold levels of LotuSmiles give access to Skyteam Elite benefits

• Priority at check-in, priority in airport waiting lists, priority in selecting empty seats at airport check-in for international flights.
• Check-in at SkyPriority counters (applicable to international flights);
• Priority boarding (applicable to international flights).
• 1 additional package or 10 kg of checked baggage.

The only noticeable difference between the two cards is in lounge access. The Gold level allows the holder to use the lounges at Ho Chi Min and to Hanoi for free when flying VN, and to use partner lounges when traveling Vietnam Airlines.

The benefits of these levels is therefore principally that of additional free baggage and minimal priority boarding, which as seen in our reader's message can sometimes pay back the investment with just one flight. But in the case of several flights with ITA Airways it can mean significant savings.

On the other hand, if you are planning to fly with Vietnam Airlines, which I remind you does not currently fly to Italy, but from Paris, Frankfurt and London free upgrades, point bonuses and lots of other pampering are also added.

Benefits for Platinum LotuSmiles cardholders.

This is the most comprehensive card and is the one that allows you to obtain Skyteam ElitePlus benefits on board all alliance carriers. This means complimentary companion lounge access, skypriority at the airport, and all the benefits such as extra baggage, fast track, and bonus points.

• Status Match

ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card

72,000 Volare points upon reaching €6,000 in spending in the first 3 months after Card issuance*.

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• Up to 72,000 Volare points upon reaching €6,000 in spending in the first 3 months after Card issuance*
• Earn 1.5 Volare points for every euro spent and an additional 3 Volare points (for a total of 4.5 Volare points) for every euro spent on ticketing purchases and other services offered by ITA Airways
• Access to the Premium Club of ITA Airways' Volare program.
• ITA Airways Lounge Access
• Free excess baggage
• Points Back, Fast Track and Priority Boarding

Advertising message with promotional purpose. *Offer valid online only from April 3 to July 16, 2025 and reserved for ITA Airways Customers enrolled in the Volare program who apply for an ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card and become a Cardholder. Issuance of the Card is at the discretion of American Express. You will receive 72,000 bonus points on your Volare account upon reaching €6,000 of spend with ITA Airways Platino American Express Card within the first 3 months of issuance, which you can use, for example, to apply for tickets ITA Airways rewards. Volare points will be credited to your statement within 12 weeks from the date the last transaction was made to reach the above spending threshold. For terms and conditions of all Card benefits go to https://www.americanexpress.com/it-it/benefici/carta-ita-airways-platino/index.html. Regulation of the Program Fly on https://www.ita-airways.com/it_it/volare/theprogram/regulations.html. For more information on economic and contractual conditions, consult the General Charter Regulations and the attached Information Sheets by visiting americanexpress.com. Before applying for the Card, remember to download and keep a copy of the pre-contractual and contractual documentation related to the Card you are applying for. Issuance of the Card is at the discretion of American Express.

Mastercard Gold Miles&More

6 thousand miles&more miles + free card first 6 months

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For full details and conditions see the page on the operator's website https://bit.ly/469QFM3

Revolut Premium

Try 3 months free Revolut Premium

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• Custom Premium Paper
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