Marriott and Singapore status match (Star Alliance Gold with just 4 flights)

Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore Krisflyer have announced a reciprocal status match whereby members of either program have an opportunity to match status and fast-track to a higher level. This will be particularly interesting for Marriott Platinum members and above who have the ability to complete 4 flights on Singapore Airlines in short order, as that can unlock Star Alliance Gold status (and with it would come the chance for lounge access domestically when flying United).

The Deal

• Marriott and Singapore Airlines have announced a status match. Readers with Marriott elite status can match up to Silver status, with the ability to earn Gold status with just 4 Singapore flights within 6 months
• Direct link to this deal

Key Terms

• To be eligible to enroll and participate in the Preferred Partnership Program, a person must be a Joint Member and have a valid Marriott Bonvoy account and KrisFlyer Account, each of which is in good standing. Joint Members must link their Marriott Bonvoy Account and KrisFlyer Account by enrolling in the Preferred Partnership Program to participate in, and receive the benefits of, the Preferred Partnership Program, including without limitation, the Preferred Partnership Program challenges.
• Joint Members enrolling in the Preferred Partnership Program must ensure that the account holder name in both their KrisFlyer Account and Marriott Bonvoy Account match and remain identical throughout the duration of their participation in the Preferred Partnership Program so that any Preferred Partnership Program benefit may post to the relevant account. Any breach of the foregoing by any Joint Member will entitle SIA and/or Marriott International to terminate such Joint Member’s participation in Preferred Partnership Program in accordance with Clause 4.9 below (without prejudice to any other rights SIA and/or Marriott International may have in respect of such breach). Upon any such termination, such Joint Member will not retain the benefits received under the Preferred Partnership Program in accordance with Clause 4.10 below.
• Joint Members enrolling in the Preferred Partnership Program may only enroll using KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy accounts under their own name.
• Marriott Bonvoy Members who hold Silver Elite or no Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy are not eligible to register for the complimentary KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status or any other Status in the KrisFlyer Program through the Preferred Partnership Program.
• Marriott Bonvoy Members who meet the eligibility criteria to receive complimentary KrisFlyer Status under the Preferred Partnership Program because of a trial Elite status in Marriott Bonvoy, including without limitation a “Taste of Elite” program, are not eligible for the complimentary KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status and/or KrisFlyer Elite Gold Status through the Preferred Partnership Program.
• Joint Members who register a request for a complimentary status should allow 7-10 business days for their accounts to reflect the new status, if granted.
• Complimentary Status and Marriott Bonvoy Elite status offered under the Preferred Partnership Program (“Status Offerings”) will only be granted to members who meet the applicable eligibility criteria set forth in the Preferred Partnership Rules. Status Offerings are generally valid for a minimum of twelve (12) months in which the Status Offering is granted and expire in accordance with the KrisFlyer Program Rules (with respect to Status) and Marriott Bonvoy Program Rules (with respect to Marriott Bonvoy Elite status), as applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer reserve the right to determine the validity period of a Status Offering, which may differ from the KrisFlyer member status and Elite membership programs offered by KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy, respectively.
• Only flights operated by Singapore Airlines are eligible as Qualifying Flights. For avoidance of doubt, an SQ-TR codeshare flight number marketed by Singapore Airlines but operated by Scoot is not a Qualifying Flight
• You must credit the qualifying flights to Singapore Krisflyer
• See full terms & conditions here

Quick Thoughts

While it is possible for Singapore Airlines elite members to match to Marriott, that match is not very compelling (Krisflyer Gold and PPS members get a match to Marriott Gold and a fast track to Platinum with 10 nights within 3 months; Krisflyer Silver members get a fast track to Marriott Silver, which is almost worthless).

Instead, this promotion will be most interesting to Marriott Bonvoy elite members, given the chance to match to Singapore Airlines and possibly end up with Star Alliance Gold status for just a few flights. Here’s how that will work:

• Marriott Gold members can fast track to Singapore Krisflyer Silver with 2 Singapore Airlines flights within six months of linking accounts
• Marriott Platinum members (and higher) get Krisflyer Silver status for 12 months and can fast track to Singapore Gold status with 4 Singapore Airlines flights within 6 months of linking accounts

If you can complete the required four flights, this could be a compelling promotion since you would unlock Star Alliance Gold status with just 4 Singapore flights. Keep in mind that you’ll need to credit those flights to Singapore Krisflyer, so I expect that only paid flights will qualify (not award flights). Still, if you will be in Asia over the next six months, it could be pretty easy (and relatively cheap) to unlock Gold status.

The reason that Gold status may be compelling for those based in the US is because Star Alliance Gold status unlocks lounge access when flying a Star Alliance airline, including United Airlines clubs when flying United.

I wouldn’t bother with this match unless you have Marriott Platinum status or higher. Thankfully, it is easy enough to get Marriott Platinum status since the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers complimentary Platinum status, which should work for this match.

H/T: Award Wallet

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