DCF
Mar 22, 12, 2:27 am
Like many of the Airpoints elites on this board I have been shopping around in recent weeks to see which other airlines will offer elite status.
One airline located nearby is open to status matches, but will not publically advertise this.
But there is another major alternative that you can read up about if you look on Flyertalk's American Express section.
Any Australia-based Centurion or Platinum or New Zealand-based Platinum is invited until February 2013 (or April 2012 according to some agents) to enroll for 1 year of Gold status in Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo club. This is equivalent to NZ Gold status, and confers OneWorld Sapphire status - equivalent to Star Gold.
Personally I've decided not to take it. A few years ago I took out Malaysian Gold status in similar circumstances and never used it, and it's more important to me to build up my Qantas Frequent Flyer status because I've moved my Hawaii flying over to Jetstar Business Class, which accumulates with Qantas and not Cathay.
But if you are seeking an alternative program to Airpoints, with immediate status, this is the way to go if you live in New Zealand or Australia.
One airline located nearby is open to status matches, but will not publically advertise this.
But there is another major alternative that you can read up about if you look on Flyertalk's American Express section.
Any Australia-based Centurion or Platinum or New Zealand-based Platinum is invited until February 2013 (or April 2012 according to some agents) to enroll for 1 year of Gold status in Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo club. This is equivalent to NZ Gold status, and confers OneWorld Sapphire status - equivalent to Star Gold.
Personally I've decided not to take it. A few years ago I took out Malaysian Gold status in similar circumstances and never used it, and it's more important to me to build up my Qantas Frequent Flyer status because I've moved my Hawaii flying over to Jetstar Business Class, which accumulates with Qantas and not Cathay.
But if you are seeking an alternative program to Airpoints, with immediate status, this is the way to go if you live in New Zealand or Australia.