Originally Posted by IceTrojan
Update: OZ wants a statement as well as a copy of the card... no way getting around the card requirement.
They are processing my application, and the agent said in all likelihood Seoul will approve my request. However, my mom hasn't received her card yet, so without a copy of it they're not too optimistic.
The card requirement will do a little more to prevent illegitimate status matching, but it's not much harder than "doctoring" the electronic statements used for status matching too.
I would not be surprised if most airlines/hotels that do status matching don't find it worth the resources to very thoroughly double check (and potentially alienate) a more-likely-to-be-good prospective customer.
IF someone is wishing to push the envelope (and then some) for "status" when they could not otherwise earn frequent traveller status or retain it is an indication that the cost of the status match is likely to be slim -- especially compared to legitimate status members who truly milk a program -- like using BA Gold for anytime lounge access and UA award tickets to get airside, etc.