Now live: Etihad Guest updates award redemptions, elite status, and more

Etihad Airways has introduced a variety of changes to its Etihad Guest loyalty program. The new system presents both advantages and disadvantages for members.

Etihad Guest is a lesser-known frequent flyer program, often offering excellent partner sweet spots on its award charts. For instance, some TPG team members prefer to book American Airlines flights through Etihad because they have discovered award redemptions at a fraction of what American charges.

Here are the updates made by this airline loyalty program.

Etihad Guest 2024 loyalty program updates

On a positive note, the miles required for economy and business class award redemptions on select popular routes have dropped. Economy-class redemptions now start at 5,000 miles, while business-class redemptions begin at 15,000 miles, according to Etihad's website.

The mileage pricing for flights from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi remains unchanged, with economy class starting at 60,000 miles and business class at 120,000 miles each way. However, due to some airlines employing dynamic pricing, booking business-class tickets through Etihad may occasionally yield savings; international ticket prices can vary significantly.

In another exciting update, customers can now use miles to upgrade to Etihad's renowned A380 Residence on routes between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) or New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Details on upgrade pricing and rules are still pending announcement.

However, there is some disappointing news: Etihad Guest miles will now expire after 18 months, extendable only by taking a flight operated by Etihad or a partner airline during that period. This policy is much stricter compared to other programs, which typically allow any earning activity (like a minor purchase on a shopping portal) to extend mileage expiration.

New cancellation fees for redemptions are also likely to be unwelcome, imposing a 25% mileage penalty for cancellations made more than 21 days before departure, escalating to a hefty 75% penalty for cancellations made within seven days of departure. This is significantly more restrictive than competitor programs; for example, Qatar Airways Privilege Club only charges $25 for changes or cancellations up to 24 hours prior to departure.

Changes to Etihad Guest elite status

Elite status members will still enjoy benefits such as priority check-in and boarding, free Wi-Fi, and increased mileage earnings. Notably, Etihad Guest members no longer need to accumulate tier segments for elite status; tier miles are now the exclusive metric for earning this status. Any remaining eligible tier segments will be converted into tier miles.

Elite members can now select from various perks: Core, Custom, and Beyond. Besides the Core benefits associated with each elite tier, the number of Custom perks will grow as your status level rises. Silver members can pick two Custom perks, Gold members can choose four, and Platinum members can select five.

Silver members who accumulate 20,000 tier miles in a membership year (including 10,000 from flights) can select two of the following options:

• Access to the lounge in Abu Dhabi
• Complimentary seat selection
• 25% off baggage fees
• Two carbon offset vouchers

Gold members (who earn 40,000 tier miles with 20,000 from flights) can select four of the following Custom benefits:

• Lounge access (with one guest) in Abu Dhabi
• One additional checked bag
• Two complimentary chauffeur services within the UAE
• Free chauffeur service in the UAE for GuestSeats in business or first class
• One complimentary refund on a GuestSeat booking
• Two complimentary home check-ins within the UAE
• Four carbon offset vouchers

Platinum members who accumulate 100,000 tier miles (with at least 40,000 from flights) can choose five of the following benefits:

• Access to the first-class lounge (with one guest) in Abu Dhabi
• One additional checked bag
• Two upgrades on eligible routes
• Extra-legroom seats for up to four guests
• Free same-day flight changes to an earlier flight
• Two complimentary chauffeur services within the UAE
• Two complimentary refunds on a GuestSeat booking
• Four complimentary home check-ins within the UAE
• Six carbon offset vouchers

A new status tier, Diamond, has been launched for members who spend a minimum of $150,000 with Etihad Airways within a year. The specific benefits of this tier are yet to be revealed.

Beyond perks are available exclusively to Gold and Platinum members.

Gold members who accumulate 75,000 tier miles can gift the following Beyond benefits to their family and friends:

• Two business-class lounge access passes
• A nomination for Silver tier status
• 10,000 bonus Etihad Guest miles

Platinum members who reach 175,000 miles can also gift these Beyond benefits to family and friends:

• Three passes for business-class lounge access
• Three priority check-in, boarding, and baggage passes
• 20,000 bonus Etihad Guest miles

Conclusion

In summary, the Etihad Guest loyalty program has introduced both beneficial and less favorable changes. There is hope that award redemption rates will be further lowered, although no significant updates have been noted at this time.

While the upgrade rates remain undisclosed and could be high, the ability to use miles for upgrades to Etihad's renowned A380 Residence is an exciting advancement.

While some elite members may appreciate the flexibility to choose their benefits, other loyalty programs provide all-inclusive perks for their top-tier members without requiring selections.

For those looking to redeem transferable points for flights with Etihad, consider Air Canada Aeroplan. Aeroplan offers fixed rates for partner redemptions along with significantly lower cancellation fees compared to what Etihad Guest currently charges.