While I have Platinum status with Qantas, I am never one to shy away from a status match opportunity with another airline.

Air Tahiti Nui recently sent an email to their newsletter subscribers with an offer to match those who hold status with other airlines to the equivalent tier level with their Club Tiare program, until 30 September 2018.

So, I gave it a go- here’s what I think the benefits of status are, and the steps to apply.

The benefits of status with Air Tahiti Nui

Air Tahiti Nui often offer excellent return sale Economy Class fares between Auckland and Papeete. Though sometimes these cheaper fares will only be available where booked on a TN flight code, and not on a QF or NZ codeshare.

This means that those who have status with Qantas or Air New Zealand would miss out on their usual elite benefits, including priority check-in, priority boarding, and lounge access.

The Economy Class cabin on the new Air Tahiti Nui Dreamliner

So, if you are planning a trip to Tahiti, and think that you might be likely to fly in Economy Class, then securing a status match with the Club Tiare program will see you receive the following perks on TN coded flights:

Club Tiare Silver

• Priority check-in
• Extra checked bag, max weight per travel class

Club Tiare Gold

• Priority check-in
• Extra checked bag, max weight per travel class
• Lounge access for you and a guest – includes the Air Tahiti Business Lounge in Papeete, as well as the Qantas lounge in Auckland (on TN operated flights) or the Air New Zealand International Lounge (on TN codeshare on Air NZ).
• Priority baggage handling

Note that you’ll also receive these benefits on TN codeshare flights on Air New Zealand – with the exception of the extra checked baggage.

How to request a Club Tiare status match

I found the steps very simple:

1. Join the Club Tiare program, and write down your membership number.
2. Scan or take a photo of your existing Silver or Gold card.
3. Email the card photo to [email protected] with details of your new Club Tiare membership. You must do this before 30 September 2018.
4. Await email confirmation that looks like this:

Note that your tier review date is the 31 December 2019 – however your Club Tiare status will be valid until the end of January 2020.

As it may take some time for your physical card to come out, make sure you remember to add your Club Tiare number to any future bookings to ensure that your benefits are honoured at the airport.

Summing up

If you think that you might plan a trip to Tahiti in the next 19 months, I would recommend applying for this status match – you have nothing to lose, and it will offer some great perks if you decide to plan a spontaneous island getaway.

Don’t already have elite status? Here are our tips to get Gold frequent flyer status—and keep it for as long as possible.

Supplementary photos courtesy of Air Tahiti Nui.