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A new status match opportunity offers SkyPriority benefits on SkyTeam alliance flights such as those operated by Delta Air Lines, and, in a unique twist, you can also match your expired status.

Italy-based carrier ITA Airways, which took over operations from the former Italian national carrier Alitalia, offers status matches to high-status members on two dozen airlines, including American Airlines.

You have until August 19 to submit a request to ITA Airways to recognize the same elite status in its Volare frequent flyer program that you enjoy on other eligible airlines. The process may take up to 60 days.

What is Eta Airways?

ITA Airways is owned by the Italian government and is based in Rome. It launched the service after replacing Alitalia, which had been in bankruptcy since 2017 and was later nationalized by the Italian government at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The airline is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, and has announced codeshare agreements with several major international airlines, including Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM.

ITA Airways operates direct flights between Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Dulles International Airport (IAD), Miami International Airport doing. (MIA) and John F. of New York. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It also has an extensive short-haul network across Europe.

Related: ITA Airways Business Class Review on A330neo from Rome

What is ITA Airways Status Match?

It is owned by ITA Airways Members of elite status are invited 19 other airlines have applied for a status match in its frequent flyer program Volare. Eligibility applies to elite-status members of SkyTeam and non-SkyTeam partners, including popular programs in the US such as American AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club and Emirates Skywards. you can See the full list of eligible programs here.

This status match promotion requires elite members to first sign up for a Volar membership and complete a status match request form, which includes uploading proof of their status on another airline. You will not be eligible for this status match if you have previously requested a Volar status match, as the program has offered status matches in the past.

What makes this status match even more generous is that while you normally need to consider current Elite status to match with other programs, ITA’s Volare program will match expired status provided it expires no earlier than January 2023. done

So even if your elite status expired 18 months ago, you can still match that status with ITA Volare.

If approved, the status will be valid until December 31, 2025, and matching members will receive 10,000 Volare Status Qualifying Points to renew or upgrade their status after that date.

Related: Current airline elite status match and challenge options

Elite level of ITA

ITA has four levels in its Volare frequent flyer program, although the initial Club Smart is only the entry-level (where everyone starts when they join). The Club Plus level is where the SkyPriority benefits through SkyTeam begin. Club Plus members get priority boarding and baggage delivery, additional baggage allowance and check-in privileges at airport business-class counters.

Above Club Plus is Club Premium, and then Club Executive, which is where lounge access comes in. Each of these two tiers is SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Depending on your status with an eligible program, ITA Volare will match top-level club executive status in the program; For example, American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum and Concierge Key for elite members.

SkyTeam elite status benefits

This Status Match initiative will be of interest to customers of other airlines, especially in the US, as there is an opportunity to use Status Match on ITA Airways to earn SkyTeam Elite status. As a reminder, SkyTeam has two status levels: SkyTeam Elite and SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Related: Best Websites to Check SkyTeam Award Availability

SkyTeam’s website says that once a flyer earns elite status in a member airline’s program, you become a SkyTeam Elite member, recognized by all 20 carriers in the alliance. That makes this initiative a unique opportunity for elite members of other airlines’ frequent flyer programs to receive elite benefits when flying on SkyTeam flights, including Delta.

SkyTeam Elite Plus Status (Volare Club Premium and Club Executive) offers the following benefits:

• Guaranteed full fare Y-Class reservation on long-haul flights sold at least 24 hours prior to departure
• Access to airport lounges worldwide, regardless of class of travel, for members with a boarding pass, plus a guest
• Priority baggage handling on arrival, irrespective of the class of travel
• Additional Baggage Allowance

ITA Airways operates its lounges in Rome and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). Additionally, ITA’s website lists airport lounges that its members can access, including multiple Delta and Air France lounges in the US and Europe. generally, SkyTeam First-Class, Business-Class and Elite Plus members Those traveling internationally have lounge access if they are flying with an airline member of the alliance.

Lufthansa Group is set to acquire ITA Airways later this year. The airline will join Lufthansa’s Miles & More loyalty program and transition from SkyTeam to Star Alliance, according to a news release. The status match is valid until December 2025, at which point it is unknown if SkyTeam status will convert to Star Alliance Elite status.

Bottom line

This is a very generous status match offer from ITA Airways, although the list of programs you can match from doesn’t include heavy hitters like Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus.

Status Match lasts for approximately 18 months, including matching status that expires anytime after December 31, 2022. Elite status in the SkyTeam program requires very little effort.

This status match opportunity is only available till August 19, so don’t delay if you want to avail it.