Quick Overview
- Who
can participate: Elite members from other airlines, hotel
loyalty programs, or select premium credit cards.
- What
you get: Instant Kenya Airways Asante Rewards status—Silver (SkyTeam
Elite) or Gold/Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus).
- Cost
(U.S.):
- $99
for Silver (SkyTeam Elite)
- $299
for Gold or Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus)
- Validity:
12 months from approval date.
- Perks:
- SkyTeam
Elite (Silver): extra baggage, priority check-in/drop, seat selection
window, small lounge discount (via Asante)
- SkyTeam
Elite Plus (Gold/Platinum): all Elite benefits plus global
lounge access (often with guest), SkyPriority airport services,
guaranteed reservations, bonus miles, and more.
Full Article: “Buy SkyTeam Elite / Elite Plus For
$99/$299 via Kenyan Asante Status Match”
Kenya Airways Opens Fast-Track to SkyTeam Elite Status
In a compelling move for U.S. frequent travelers, Kenya
Airways—a full member of the SkyTeam alliance—is now offering a paid
status match, enabling elite-level travelers to access SkyTeam benefits
without waiting years of flying.
Through its loyalty arm, Asante Rewards, participants
can instantly match their existing elite tier—from other airlines, hotel
programs, or credit cards—to Silver (equivalent to SkyTeam Elite) or Gold/Platinum
(equivalent to SkyTeam Elite Plus).
Who’s Eligible
A broad range of status holders qualify:
- Airline
elites: e.g., Star Alliance Gold, oneworld Sapphire/Emerald, among
many others
- Hotel
elites: e.g., Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond, Marriott
Platinum/Titanium/Ambassador, IHG Platinum/Diamond
- Credit
cards: e.g., American Express Platinum, Visa Infinite, Mastercard
World Elite
Cost and Tiers (U.S. Pricing)
Residents of the U.S. (or the broader Americas) face:
- $99
→ Asante Rewards Silver (SkyTeam Elite)
- $299
→ Asante Rewards Gold or Platinum (SkyTeam Elite Plus)
For those residing outside these regions, notably parts of
Asia, fees fall to $80 for Silver and $175 for Gold/Platinum.
Perks You’re Buying Into
SkyTeam Elite (Asante Silver)
- One
extra checked bag on Kenya Airways and SkyTeam partners
- Priority
check-in and baggage drop
- Free
preferred seat selection (24 hours before departure)
- 25 %
discount at Kenya Airways lounges (on some tiers)
- Bonus
points when flying Kenya Airways (50 %)
SkyTeam Elite Plus (Asante Gold/Platinum)
- Global
SkyTeam lounge access—often inclusive of a guest—particularly for
international itineraries
- SkyPriority
across check-in, security, boarding, and baggage
- Guaranteed
reservation on full flights
- Additional
baggage, bonus miles (75 –100 %), better upgrade priority, waived change
fees (on Kenya Airways)
Validity & Application
- The
status match is valid for 12 months once approved.
- Managed
via Loyalty Status Co., StatusMatch.com’s platform.
- Apply
through the Kenya Airways matching portal, providing proof of current
elite status and paying the fee.
- Processing
generally takes a few days to two weeks.
Things to Consider
- System
integration lag: Some SkyTeam carriers haven’t fully integrated Asante
Rewards into their systems yet. As a result, benefits may not always show
up when booking. Still, status is valid—even if the technology catch-up is
behind.
- Value
depends on usage:
- $99
for extra baggage or basic priority for one or two trips may quickly pay
off.
- $299
is worthwhile if you value global lounge access and priority
services—particularly if flying SkyTeam internationally soon.
Verdict: Who Should Apply?
This offer is highly attractive for:
- U.S.
travelers with elite status in non–SkyTeam programs
- Those
planning international trips on Delta, KLM, Air France, or other SkyTeam
partners
- Hotel
elites seeking airline perks without the flight grind
- Frequent
flyers valuing airport convenience, comfort, and recognition
Summary of Benefits & Considerations
|
Tier |
Cost (U.S.) |
Benefits |
Best For |
|
SkyTeam Elite (Silver) |
$99 |
Extra baggage, priority check-in, seat select |
Occasional SkyTeam flyers needing basics |
|
SkyTeam Elite Plus (Gold/Platinum) |
$299 |
All Elite benefits + lounge access, upgrades, SkyPriority |
Frequent international travelers |
Final Thoughts
Kenya Airways’ Asante Rewards paid status match
offers a rare shortcut to SkyTeam perks—especially for U.S. travelers. For $99
or $299, frequent flyers, hotel elites, and credit card users can unlock
airport luxuries normally reserved for those with extensive flying histories.
While some implementation hiccups may persist, for the price-point and access,
the offer deserves serious consideration for anyone planning SkyTeam travel in
the coming year.