Got any friends in Hong Kong whose address you can borrow?
All Star Alliance programs are offering a status match to residents of Hong Kong, through December 15.
Normally only United and British Midland, out of all Star Alliance programs, offer regular status match programs.
In addition to requiring that the address on file of your frequent flyer account be in Hong Kong, there’s also a requirement that you show you’ve booked a flight which will be credited to that program during the period of September 1 – December 15 (this can be in a refundable booking class…).
Status will be valid for at least 12 months, which is better than the usual status ‘challenge’ being offered by United. Presumably Asiana status will be valid for at least 2 years (Asiana status usually lasts two years and then members are given a 2 year grace period after that — so qualifying once can generate 4 years of status, though I am uncertain how they will handle matched status).
Programs will upgrade status to the Star Alliance Gold equivalent in their program, but progrmas with higher tiers will not upgrade to those levels above the minimum Star Alliance Gold equivalent level.
In order to take advantage of the offer, registration is required and submission of an elite card or statement along with an e-ticket receipt for flight within the promotion period is required as well.
Full terms and conditions are here.
No need to bother booking a refundable ticket…
“…The flight can be on any Star Alliance member airline – not just the airline whose frequent flyer programme you have chosen to join.”
So who in HK wants to let me “move in” with them?
Lufthansa has had status matches in several European countries this year.