TAP Air Portugal Announces a Status Match to Silver or Gold Status – Initial Overview

photo: courtesy flytap.com

TAP Air Portugal flies to many more places than just Portugal! In fact, the airline flies to numerous locations worldwide and additionally has over 100 partners and is also a member of Star Alliance. The airline often has very economical and competitive fares – I’ve flown on the airline to both Lisbon and Amsterdam, and overall have been happy with the experiences (see, TAP Portugal NYC-Lisbon Flight Review & Sardine Tin Amenity Kit Giveaway!)

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A year ago, TAP Air Portugal revamped it’s loyalty program, which is currently known as Miles and Go. Today the airline made a number of announcements about new benefits and perks being offered, which will be detailed soon. (What of course grabbed my attention is the Miles and Go Pets program where pet owners can accrue miles for pet transport!)

But first, the Status Match!

TAP Air Portugal really wants to increase it’s business in the United States. A key campaign to achieve this goal is offering of a status match/challenge.

In a nutshell, TAP Air Portugal’s Miles and Go program has 4 tiers: Miles & Go (lowest), Silver, Gold and Navigator (invite only). For redemption, they are moving from a static to a dynamic system. They do not yet have an airline credit card, but report that the airline is negotiating with banks here in the United States (Barclays was mentioned) to introduce a branded credit card.

Tiers

As to the tiers, among other things, Silver members receive bonuses on air travel as well as access to TAP lounges. Among other things, Gold members also receive access to Star Alliance lounges, Economy Xtra seats and miles that don’t expire. Invite only Navigators get even more benefits including free sports equipment transport!

TAP has issued a list of various programs it will match to Silver and Gold, but indicates that the list is much broader than that listed below. Among other things, One World Emerald and Sapphire will match to Miles and Go Gold as will SkyTeam Elite Plus.

Key dates: 

March 2-31, 2020:

1. Initial registration. Attach a copy of your current frequent flyer information to the registration page on the TAP website.

2.  Either buy miles from TAP shop (beginning at $87 or buy a Club beginning at $122) (note: TAP Miles and Go Clubs are an interesting and likely worthwhile product)

April – September 30, 2020:

If you complete 1 and 2 above, then you will receive complimentary status (Silver or Gold, depending on what your status is matched to) until September 30, 2020.

Fly and maintain status for at least one year:

To maintain the matched status for at least one year beyond that (need to clarify exact date), a member must accrue 10,000 miles to maintain Silver Status, or 25,000 miles to maintain Gold Status.

This is a good promotion especially if you are looking to boost your status with Star Alliance carriers and/or to gain access to Star Alliance lounges. To fulfill the match, you need not actually fly on a TAP flight, but can fly on any other Star Alliance flight and credit the miles to TAP.

As mentioned above, this is a brief initial overview. More information will follow soon.