Note SkyTeam site states: ‘Members of Kenya Airways’ Asante Program may not experience full Frequent Flyer reciprocity across all SkyTeam member airlines. Please check with your Frequent Flyer Program for more information on Frequent Flyer benefits.’ so probably not worth it.
Contents
The Offer
- Kenyan Asante has launched a paid status match offer via statusmatch.com that effectively allows you to purchase SkyTeam Elite for $99 or Elite Plus for $299.
Our Verdict
As this is a status match you do require status with another program to be able to do this, but most readers should have status via a credit card or stays. Status provides the following benefits:
- Skyteam Elite
- Priority reservation wait list (when fares permit)
- Priority check-in counters
- Priority boarding or at leisure
- Extra baggage allowance
- Skyteam Elite Plus:
- Guaranteed full-fare Y-class reservation on sold-out long-haul flights, at least 24 hours prior to departure.
- Access to airport lounges worldwide, whatever the class of travel, for members in possession of a boarding pass, accompanied by a guest.
- Priority baggage handling on arrival, whatever the class of travel
- Extra baggage allowance
Hat tip to Prince of Travel
Did it for silver with the credit card check (used chase sapphire reserve). Got status matched instantly
I am tempted by this because it appears that this status would be good for reciprocal benefits on DL. However, I’ve seen posts on FT and Reddit that indicate DL’s systems are not setup to honor this automatically and speaking with agents can be very hit or miss.
Do you need to credit the flight to Asante to make use of the Elite status or can you keep earning with your main airline while still having the status recognized?
You do need to enter your Asante number to receive SkyTeam benefits which is a catch to all this
So in other words you will not earn any miles for your main SkyTeam airline to get Skyteam Elite Plus? Yeahh not worth
Yep that would be correct. You’re not allowed to double dip
With Delta, not worth it since you won’t get domestic lounge access or preferred seating. SkyTeam just sucks overall in comparison of Star Alliance and oneworld.
From what I’ve read, you should be able to get preferred seating (not Comfort+, but the seats closer to the front/exit rows sometimes) on DL. Getting them to honor it if the system doesn’t let you automatically is another issue.
I did it last year, it was free though , I matched the AA platinum pro status , granted me access to the nice KLM lounge in AMS however they did not allowed me to use for somestic trips with delta. good thing I had a amex platinum at that time.
thats super interesting. i had speculated such a scenario. but can u give us more details? wat was the issue? did it matter where u got the STeam status?
Delta does not allow lounge access based on SkyTeam status unless you are flying international.
how’d you get it free?
I think Delta is lounge access on international flights when not booking basic economy
interesting. i dont fly delta alliance. but i do find certain partners valuable like VS AF KLM.
skyteam.com/en/about
i can totally see lounges ban ST members from kenya. this is kinda already done for legacy US carriers within domestic alliance lounge networks. similar concept to passport visa free.
Per sky teams website:
“Members of Kenya Airways’ Asante Program may not experience full Frequent Flyer reciprocity across all SkyTeam member airlines. Please check with your Frequent Flyer Program for more information on Frequent Flyer benefits.”
So wouldn’t count on that granting much depending on the airline
That just means not all airlines will accept the FF# for status and giving points, since Skyteam is not as “universal” as Oneworld and Star Alliance are for reciprocity.
The airlines that Kenya Airways works on for earning status:
Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, Delta, MEA, Vietnam, Saudia, SAS, Xiamen, Tarom.
So that leaves out airlines like AeroMexico, Garuda, China Eastern, China Airlines, AirEuropa, Argentinas, however you can add the FF still and get SkyTeam benefits but you might not be able to earn any status points for the flights.
Kenya Airways does note on their FF page that they are adding more; they only just added Delta on October 2024 so they seem to be expanding.
too bad just got Flying Blue Platinum, but could be a good option after a couple of downgrades. Skyteam gold or better is really nice in europe (SkyPriority)
That’s clever!
‘Asante’ means ‘thank you’ in Swahili.
Karibu (you’re welcome)
You can get Silver Elite by just having Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards
Which ones?
Thanks
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