The SkyTeam alliance is one of the big three airline alliances around the world; the other two are Oneworld and Star Alliance. Each includes a cohort of airlines that coordinate their marketing and schedules to help expand their network of destinations. Airline alliances give airlines greater reach to attract more passengers and feed them to each other’s flights.
They do this by code-sharing (selling seats on each other’s flights), providing reciprocal benefits to loyalty program members and elite status customers, and even transferring baggage between their flights. It’s a win-win for travelers and airlines.
And when there are flight delays or disruptions, alliances can support member airlines more easily. This makes traveling with alliance member carriers easier than with unaffiliated airlines because they have larger reach and assistance opportunities.
Here’s what elite status members of SkyTeam member airlines can enjoy as reciprocal perks, no matter what alliance member they are flying.
» Learn more: The guide to the SkyTeam alliance
How to get SkyTeam elite status
SkyTeam elite status is earned by attaining status through one of SkyTeam’s alliance members and meeting the qualifications with that particular airline’s frequent flyer program. There are 18 active members in the SkyTeam alliance, plus one airline (Aeroflot) that’s currently suspended.
SkyTeam member airlines
- Aerolineas Argentinas.
- Aeromexico.
- Air Europa.
- Air France.
- China Airlines.
- China Eastern.
- Delta Air Lines.
- Garuda Indonesia.
- Kenya Airways.
- KLM.
- Korean Air.
- MEA (Middle East Airlines).
- Saudia.
- Scandinavian Airlines.
- TAROM.
- Vietnam Airlines.
- Virgin Atlantic.
- Xiamen Air.
Each member airline has its own qualification metrics to achieve elite status within that program. Some are easier than others, and the benefits vary between programs. But once you achieve elite status within one of the above programs, it corresponds to one of two SkyTeam elite status tiers, which offers a small subset of perks that can be enjoyed when flying with other SkyTeam member airlines.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
SkyTeam elite status tiers and benefits
SkyTeam elite status has two tiers.
SkyTeam Elite
- Access to priority check-in and boarding.
- Extra baggage allowance: 22 pounds (10 kilograms) or one additional bag.
- Priority seating.
- Priority status on standby waitlists.
The most valuable benefits for this tier is the priority check-in, which can save you a lot of time at an international airport when you may need to check bags, and the extra baggage allowance.
SkyTeam Elite Plus
SkyTeam Elite Plus is the higher of the two, and it comes with a few more benefits.
- Access to lounges with one guest.
- Access to priority check-in.
- Fast track at select immigration security lanes.
- Priority boarding.
- Priority seating.
- Priority status on standby waitlists.
- Priority baggage handling.
- Extra baggage allowance: 44 pounds (20 kilograms) or one additional bag where the piece concept applies.
- Guaranteed full fare economy class on sold-out flights with 24-hour notice.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members get an even higher checked bag weight limit than SkyTeam Elites, plus lounge access for themselves and a guest.
There are no reciprocal upgrades for SkyTeam elite status members on other carriers. While you may be able to gain access to better seat assignments (like exit rows or preferred seats at the front of the cabin on some airlines), complimentary upgrades are not a published perk unless you choose upgrade certificates that some airlines offer as an elite Choice Benefit to use on select partners. Delta offers these Global Upgrade certificates as a Choice Benefit to Diamond Medallion members.
Delta elite status benefits on SkyTeam
Let’s say you have Delta Diamond Medallion status. This also qualifies for SkyTeam Elite Plus status. So your next flight on Vietnam Airlines or Air France or Aeromexico would qualify for SkyTeam Elite Plus perks, such as lounge access and priority check-in.
Since Delta is the only U.S. member of SkyTeam, let’s look at how its status tiers match to SkyTeam elite status:
| Delta Air Lines Medallion elite status | SkyTeam elite status |
|---|---|
| Diamond Medallion. | SkyTeam Elite Plus. |
| Platinum Medallion. | SkyTeam Elite Plus. |
| Gold Medallion. | SkyTeam Elite Plus. |
| Silver Medallion. | SkyTeam Elite. |
Delta Silver Medallion is the only elite tier with Delta to receive the reduced SkyTeam Elite status benefits.
General SkyMiles members receive no extra perks when flying with a SkyTeam carrier beyond the ability to earn Delta SkyMiles with certain SkyTeam airlines if they choose to link their Delta loyalty program number to their reservation.
SkyTeam lounges
Like Oneworld and Star Alliance, SkyTeam has its own alliance-branded lounges. Premium cabin travelers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members can gain access. You will find them in the following airports:
- Dubai.
- Frankfurt.
- Vancouver.
- Santiago.
- Sydney.
SkyTeam status match opportunities
Airlines want to grow their customer base to encourage more ticket sales, and one way they can do this is by offering elite status privileges to members of competing programs. In a way, they are trying to poach new business by offering opportunities to match status between individual airlines. These come and go, but you can find them by searching online or by contacting customer service of the airline with which you want to gain status.
At press time, there are options to gain SkyTeam elite status with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Delta, Kenya Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.
These require you to prove equivalent status with a competing airline and, in some cases, meet a certain spending or flying threshold with the new airline.
Reciprocal benefits with SkyTeam elite status
Attaining elite status with a SkyTeam member airline also comes with instant status within SkyTeam to enjoy on all other carriers in the alliance. Your elite status card (physical or digital) as well as online account will indicate your status tier. This means it makes sense to fly with other alliance member airlines to take advantage of similar perks that can help to save money and improve your travel experience.
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