There are about 1 million Turks living in Germany, and a big bunch of Danish minority living close to the Danish border. I guess it's more like a Smith/Chen might raise a red flag.

What does "verification" card mean? They can't demand people showing their ID

I guess you don't have to send it, but then they'll simply decline your status match request; they (in turn) don't have to accommodate your request...

On the topic of showing your card for lounge access: I've had it happen recently that I've flown KL metal, had a CI elite + card, registered that number on my boarding pass, all was stated in my boarding pass, but several lounge dragons still demanded to see my card... At least with AF/KL they apparently can't see statuses of other FFQs in their system and don't care what the BP says...

Would they be happy with picture of the card?

I just received the following response from Air Canada to a status match request I sent in MARCH!!!

Hello,

Congratulations, you are now eligible to reach a higher Altitude status with an Altitude Challenge.

As of August 21st , 2015, if you earn 18,500 Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) or 18 Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS) on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada rouge over the next 90 days, you’ll be eligible to enjoy Altitude Elite 50K status through February 28, 2017.

Your current Altitude status (if any) will not change at the beginning of the 90 day challenge period. Once you earn the required number of AQM or AQS, your status will be updated within four weeks, and you will be invited to choose your Select Privileges. Your Altitude package will follow within four to six weeks.

Best regards,

The Air Canada Altitude Team

Terms & Conditions
This Altitude Challenge is for the Altitude status outlined above. To reach any other Altitude status, you will need to meet the published qualification levels outlined at http://altitude.aircanada.com. If you are unable to earn the required number of AQM or AQS outlined above within the 90 day challenge period, your Altitude status will not change.
· Please ensure that all contact information is up to date on your Aeroplan Profile, including your mailing address, e-mail and phone number(s).
· Travel which is eligible for this offer is flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge which earn AQM and AQS. In order to be eligible for this offer, AQM and AQS must be posted to your Aeroplan account during, and flights must depart within, the 90 day challenge period. Air Canada-marketed codeshare flights operated by other airlines are not eligible. Aeroplan Flight Rewards are not eligible. AQM and AQS earned in conjunction with special bonus offers and promotions, or earned through travel on other Star Alliance members airlines, are not eligible. Other restrictions may apply.
· In subsequent years following this Altitude Challenge, reach Altitude status by meeting the published qualification levels outlined at http://altitude.aircanada.com. Altitude Challenges will only be offered at most every five years, or at Air Canada’s discretion.
· At its sole discretion, Air Canada reserves the right to revoke Altitude status awarded in conjunction with an Altitude Challenge. All Terms & Conditions of Air Canada Altitude apply, and can be reviewed at http://altitude.aircanada.com.

AC does seem to have an unadvertised status match program. At the end of 2013, I actually got straight matched to E50K without any challenge, based on my AF Skyteam Gold, TK Gold, A3 Gold and CX MP Gold (ahem)... well, considering I went on to keep AC SE for the third year in a row since, I suppose the bet paid off for them.

how long does the status match from Aegean Gold to Turkish Air Gold last ?

my A3 which I thought would last 5 years seems to only last a year or so ,

If I status match now will I get all of 2016 ?

I do not plan on flying Star until next year anyway

thanks for the info

Turkish Should offer you gold for 2 years from status match date��

any news on resuming the Oneworld Emerald (LAN Airlines) status match?

I'm just about to hit EXP on AA for the the first time, and I'd love to be able to status match over to TK and then back to AB or LA (assuming you can't match AA to those airlines because they are partners) to get Admirals Club access. Anyone know if this (or something similar) can be done?

If you have a german etc address then yes. Tk will match exp with statement and then ab should match providing you have an address in DE on file...

A few AA flights coming up end of this year and next year, and hence looking for free OW status match to get me lounge access and higher (weight) baggage allowance.

I read about RJ above by benberg2013 but state I need to credit 1 flight - is that RJ flight or an AA paid flight will do.

Also, I read somewhere (maybe here) that doing an AA Challenge will get you temporary status for 90 days, is this true?

If you do the Platinum Challenge, and if you already have high status with another program, and if you ask very nicely and get a cooperative agent, they'll move you up to AA Gold during the challenge.

It needs to be a RJ paid flight. This is what they sent me when I requested a match:


This may be true, but AA requires payment to be enrolled in their challenges - I think $140 for the gold challenge, and $250 for the Platinum.

I am AC E75K right now and will be SE100K before Oct 15. But reading benberg2013 respond, I need to pay for AA Challenge, hence I guess I will pass AA Challenge then.

Thanks for the info. I guess RJ status match is out too.

What's the best play with Etihad Gold expiring 03/2016?

I have no activity on EY (was a match from UA 1K a couple years back) but since I'm losing my AA Gold at the end of the year and will only have UA Silver (thanks to Marriott Plat), I figure it's about that time to see if I can parlay the Etihad Gold into something useful in *A or OW (have a trip to Europe planned next year with OW over the pond but *A intra-Europe so either or both would be beneficial).

I did find the physical cards today when cleaning up my room so if the match simply requires the status card I should be all set.