Match Your Aeroplan Status to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic is currently offering a status match opportunity for elite members of select frequent flyer programs, including Air Canada Aeroplan.

Eligible frequent flyers can match to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Silver or Gold status for a full 12 months, provided they have an upcoming Virgin Atlantic flight booked.

Notably, both paid and award bookings qualify, making this one of the more accessible airline status matches available.

Flying Club elite status also grants recognition across the SkyTeam alliance, with Silver corresponding to SkyTeam Elite and Gold to SkyTeam Elite Plus.

This means members can enjoy priority services, extra baggage, and even lounge access when flying with SkyTeam partners like Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and others.

For Canadians planning a transatlantic trip, this could be a cost-effective way to unlock meaningful travel perks with minimal commitment.

Status Match to Virgin Atlantic Gold & Silver Status

Virgin Atlantic’s current status match offer is available to elite members of a number of airline loyalty programs. You’ll find a full chart of eligible airlines and corresponding top and second tier statuses below.

For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus specifically on Air Canada Aeroplan.

To match to Flying Club Gold (SkyTeam Elite Plus), you’ll need:

• Top-tier Aeroplan status (50K, 75K, or Super Elite)
• A future Virgin Atlantic flight in Premium or Upper Class (paid or booked with points)
• Proof of your current elite status, including name and expiry date
• No prior Flying Club status via a match in the past five years

To match to Flying Club Silver (SkyTeam Elite), the requirements are slightly easier:

• Second-tier Aeroplan status (25K or 35K)
• A future Virgin Atlantic flight in any cabin, including Economy (paid or booked with points)
• The same proof-of-status requirements as above

One important thing to note is that your status match is tied to the specific flight you use to qualify. If you cancel or change that booking without notifying Virgin Atlantic, your match may be voided and your new status revoked.

If your travel plans change, be sure to contact the status match team in advance to avoid any issues.

Keep in mind that cancelling or changing a Virgin Atlantic award booking comes with a $100 USD fee per passenger, so it’s worth locking in your travel plans before applying for the match.

Lastly, this offer is not available to members who currently hold any level of elite status with a SkyTeam airline. If you’re already SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus through another program, you won’t be eligible for the match.

Your new status will be granted 72 hours before your qualifying flight and is valid for 12 months. To keep it beyond that, you’ll need to earn 400 tier points (Silver) or 1,000 tier points (Gold) within the membership year.

One of the biggest selling points of this match is that award bookings count. You don’t need to pay cash for your qualifying flight.

For Canadian travellers, Virgin Atlantic’s recently launched Toronto (YYZ) to London Heathrow (LHR) route is an ideal option.

Award pricing on this route can be incredibly reasonable:

• Economy: 6,000 Virgin points + $142 (CAD) in taxes
• Premium: 10,500 Virgin points + $189 (CAD) in taxes
• Upper Class: 29,000 Virgin points + $403 (CAD) in taxes 

These are one-way saver prices based on Virgin Atlantic’s award chart. While they represent the lowest expected cost, actual pricing may vary depending on demand and availability.

But as far as status match opportunities go, this is a low-cost entry point into Flying Club elite status and SkyTeam perks.

Unfortunately Flying Club doesn’t have a Canadian credit card partner, but you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio (with a bonus 5,000 points for every 60,000 transferred).

If you have access to US credit cards, you’re in a better spot—Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards can both be transferred to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio, making it easier to book a qualifying flight on points.

Alternatively, you can also buy Virgin Points directly. Virgin Atlantic regularly runs buy points promotions, often with bonuses of up to 70%.

For example, during a recent sale, you could purchase 9,000 points for $225 USD and receive a 20% bonus, totalling 10,800 Virgin Points—enough for a one-way Premium cabin flight from Toronto to London, which would qualify you for a Flying Club Gold status match.

What Does Virgin Atlantic Status Get You?

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club status unlocks a range of valuable benefits, both when flying with Virgin Atlantic and across the SkyTeam alliance.

Thanks to this status match opportunity, the bar for entry is surprisingly low, yet the rewards, especially at the Gold tier, are genuinely premium.

Flying Club Silver

With a second-tier Aeroplan status (25K or 35K) and any Virgin Atlantic flight booked in any cabin, you’ll qualify for Silver status. Here’s what you get:

• SkyTeam Elite status: priority services, and extra baggage across all SkyTeam partners
• 30% bonus Virgin Points on Virgin Atlantic flights and vacation bookings
• One extra checked bag
• Priority check-in counters, boarding, and baggage handling
• Standard seat assignment up to seven days prior, even in Economy Light

While Silver doesn’t include lounge access, it still enhances your airport and inflight experience across multiple airlines. It’s a strong mid-tier status that’s easy to earn and useful to hold.

Flying Club Gold

Gold status is where things really start to shine. If you hold Aeroplan 50K or higher and book a Premium or Upper Class flight, you can unlock Virgin Atlantic’s top-tier benefits:

• SkyTeam Elite Plus status: lounge access, priority services, and extra baggage across all SkyTeam partners
• 60% bonus Virgin Points on flights and holiday packages
• Upper Class check-in and priority security access—even on Economy tickets
• Free seat selection in any cabin, including exit row seats in Economy Classic
• Extra baggage allowance: more carry-on and checked bags
• Access to Clubhouses and the Heathrow Revivals Lounge
• Ability to gift Silver status to a friend or family member

But perhaps the most distinctive perks of Flying Club Gold are the airport lounge experiences, which are arguably among the best in the airline world.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow isn’t your typical business lounge.

It’s more like a private members’ club with à la carte dining, a full-service bar, spa showers, Peloton bikes, and even a pool table. The design is chic, and the atmosphere is intentionally exclusive.

On arrival, Gold members can also access the Heathrow Revivals Lounge, a rare amenity these days. With 20 private shower suites, a cooked-to-order English breakfast, and garment pressing services, it’s the ideal spot to freshen up before heading into the city.

In today’s travel landscape, where many lounges are overcrowded and losing their premium feel, this level of exclusivity is genuinely refreshing.

It’s not just about free food and drinks—it’s about space, comfort, and actually being able to unwind before or after your flight.

And while it might not make the headlines, the ability to gift Flying Club Silver status to someone else is an underrated perk.

Whether it’s a partner, friend, or family member, giving them access to priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling could make their travel day a lot smoother.

Personally, this is one of the most satisfying parts of the miles and points game for me. Seeing loved ones benefit from elite treatment and upgraded travel experiences makes all the effort worthwhile, and it’s what keeps me motivated to keep learning and optimizing in this space.

Is the Virgin Atlantic Status Match Worth It?

If you’ve already got Aeroplan status, this is one of the easiest status upgrades you’ll ever come across.

There’s no need to jump through hoops. No spend requirement, no flight challenge, and no need to fly round-trip in business class. All it takes is one Virgin Atlantic flight with a VS flight number, paid or on points, and you’re in.

Considering that Premium and Upper Class redemptions from Toronto to London start as low as 10,500 and 29,000 Virgin Points, respectively, this is a low-cost way to secure SkyTeam Elite or Elite Plus status for an entire year.

And if you’re sitting on Marriott Bonvoy points or have access to US transferable points, topping up for a redemption is easy.

Of course, Virgin Atlantic doesn’t have the same reach in Canada as Air Canada or WestJet, but that’s not really the point.

This match isn’t just about flying Virgin—it’s about unlocking priority services, lounge access, and extra baggage allowances across the entire SkyTeam network.

If you’re planning a trip to London, or even just curious to try out a new airline and alliance, this match is well worth considering.

Worst case? You get a smooth flight and a taste of elite treatment.

Best case? You leverage SkyTeam Elite Plus all year long, on multiple international trips.

Conclusion

You can match your Aeroplan Elite Status to Virgin Atlantic and enjoy 12 months of elevated travel benefits, including SkyTeam status perks, with just one qualifying flight.

It’s a rare opportunity with minimal friction: no revenue fare required, no long-winded challenge, and award bookings are fully eligible.

Whether you’re in it for lounge access, priority treatment, or the joy of sharing status perks with someone else, this match offers serious upside for Aeroplan elites—especially with Virgin Atlantic’s Toronto–London route now live.

With Virgin Atlantic now flying direct from Toronto to London and award space pricing out generously, this match makes even more sense for Canadian travellers.

And if you’ve got Aeroplan status sitting unused, here’s your excuse to make it work for you, beyond just flying Air Canada.