Cathay Pacific launched a status-match promotion short while ago which it appears was heavily oversubscribed. As a result, the HK based carrier has temporarily suspended taking new applications. If you try and jump on the status-match page, this is the message that is currently displayed.

Cathay Pacific is part of Oneworld alliance and Cathay Gold and Cathay Diamond status, which map to Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald respectively would be extremely beneficial for Australia based Frequent Flyers as it can unlock access to Qantas’ Business and First Class Lounges, besides offering other perks.

Cathay Pacific B-777 First Class

It is unclear who Cathay was targeting with this promotion, although clearly, there is little point for someone with Qantas Gold or Platinum status or an equivalent Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status to apply for it. In-fact there is a good chance the promotion mightn’t be open to elites of Oneworld member airlines.

The timing of the promotion is interesting as it comes just days before the 31 March 2023 expiry of pro bono Qatar Airways Privilege Club status granted in 2021, which has immensely benefited Velocity Gold & Platinum members over the last 3 years. See this link If you are unsure what I am talking about. The Privilege Club status match was first offered in May 2021 for an initial 12 month period, but was twice extended subsequently due to Covid.

If Cathay Pacific were to reopen applications and accept status match requests from Velocity elites, it might just mean the continuation of good times for Velocity-Privilege Club members who were going to lose their Oneworld status at the end of the month.

Keep an eye on this page to see if it returns.