British Airways is giving US and Canadian flyers up to a year of silver or gold status (which is very handy if you fly American Airlines or Alaska Airlines) - here is how you can get it

British Airways is introducing a status match offer - so frequent flyers on rival airlines like Delta or United can get access to its posh lounges and other perks.

Top-tier members of eight loyalty programs can get gold or silver status on BA's Executive Club for free under the offer. 

This gives access to BA's lounges, extra free baggage, priority check-in, security and boarding and a better chance of upgrades.

It also unlocks the same perks when flying on more than a dozen other airlines that are part of the same Oneworld alliance as BA, including American, Alaska, Cathay Pacific, Quantas, Qatar and Fiji. 

See below for full list of airlines, what status is needed for each plus a separate box with the five steps to sign up.... 

Gold status on British Airways allows access to the Chelsea Lounge at New York's JFK, which is run by BA and American Airlines. It is a lounge for passegners on First Class and also wtih gold status

BA lounges and those of partner airlines like American have fancy bars with free drinks

It is very rare for BA to match status - since getting gold involves spending tens of thousands of dollars on flights and provides enviable perks.

See below for full list of airlines, what status is needed for each plus a separate box with the five steps to sign up.... 

BA will match status with three programs from US and Canadian airlines - Delta’s SkyMiles, United's Mileage Plus and Air Canada's Aeroplan.

Members of loyalty schemes from five European airlines can get gold or silver too - Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, Luthansa and Scandinavian.

See table below showing the eight airlines and the status needed.

The offer is valid for new and existing BA Executive Club members who hold a membership of one of the programs listed above with the corresponding status. 

Customers with top tier status on the eight airlines can apply online.

They need to provide a valid proof eligible frequent flyer status, and the outcome of the application will be shared via email.

Successful applicants will be upgraded to the matched tier for an initial six-month period.

Successful applicants will be upgraded to the matched tier for an initial six-month period.

This can be extended to a full year if they book two eligible flights (or one return flight). 

An eligible flight is a BA-marketed flight in business or first class – operated by British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, Aer Lingus or Finnair - that originates in the US, Canada or Mexico.

Full terms and conditions are here on the BA website.