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16 Best Ways To Earn Lots of Etihad Airways Guest Miles [2024]

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Stephen Au

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Key Takeaways

  • Etihad Guest miles can be earned by flying with Etihad Airways or any of its 21 airline partners.
  • Miles can also be accumulated by transferring points from programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points.
  • Other options to earn points include hotel partner stays, rental car bookings, and purchasing through the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.

Since its first flight took off in November 2003, Etihad Airways has developed a reputation as a leading airline, and it has received the honor of offering the world’s best commercial airline first class: The Etihad Residence.

Known for its modern new-generation fleets, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates serves 40+ countries around the world. In the U.S., Etihad Airways serves airports in Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and Washington, D.C. (IAD).

Members can earn miles in Etihad Guest by utilizing credit cards and a variety of other strategies. Keep reading to learn about maximizing earning Etihad Guest miles as quickly as possible!

Etihad Guest Loyalty Program

1. Enroll in Etihad Guest and Earn Miles

Sign up online for Etihad Guest, which is open to residents of any country at least 2 years of age. You can also enroll at check-in or fill out a form in one of the Etihad Airways lounges.

Once the first activity posts to your account, you will receive 500 bonus miles.

Etihad Guest Homepage
Signing up for the Etihad Guest Programme is free. Enroll online or at one of the many airport lounges to start earning miles. Image Credit: Etihad Airways

2. Fly Etihad Airways

As an Etihad Guest member, the easiest way to earn miles is by booking flights on Etihad Airways. The table below shows the earning ratio for each fare class:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Fare Class

Earning Percentage

Economy

Choice Plus

100%

Choice

75%

Value or Hand baggage only

50%

Sale

25%

Guest Seat

Not eligible

Business

Choice Plus

200%

Choice

175%

Value

130%

Guest Seat

Not eligible

First

First

275%

Guest Seat

Not eligible

You can directly calculate how many miles you’ll earn on any flight using the Etihad Airways mileage calculator.

3. Elite Status Tiers

Like many airline loyalty programs, Etihad Guest miles can be redeemed for awards. Tier Miles and Tier Segments, on the other hand, determine your elite status based on the following earning rate:

SCROLL FOR MORE

Cabin Class

Tier Miles per Mile Flown

Tier Segments per Segment Flown

Economy class

1

1

Business class

1

2

First class

1

3

Members begin at the Etihad Guest tier and move through the premium tiers (Silver, Gold, and Platinum) during a 12-month rolling qualification period. Each premium tier provides bonus miles that can be redeemed for Etihad Rewards.

SCROLL FOR MORE

Elite Status Tier

Tier Miles/Segments to Achieve Status

Mile Expiration

Tier Miles/Segments to Maintain Status

Bonus Miles

Etihad Guest

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Etihad Guest Silver

25,000/20

18 months plus an additional 18 months with any eligible miles transaction

20,000/15

25%

Etihad Guest Gold

50,000/40

18 months plus an additional 18 months with any eligible miles transaction

40,000/30

50%

Etihad Guest Platinum

125,000/60

Miles never expire

100,000/48

75%

See a complete list of benefits associated with each premium tier.

Earning Etihad Guest Miles With Credit Cards

4. American Express Membership Rewards

Convert American Express Membership Rewards points to Etihad Guest miles at a 1:1 ratio. That means you can earn Membership Rewards points with an American Express credit card and move them to your Etihad Guest account.

To make the transfer, log into your Membership Rewards account and select Etihad Guest under the drop-down menu of participating airline partners. Transfers are almost instant, which is a plus.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.¤
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
60,000 points
$1,200
$325
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
  • 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

If you’re a business owner, see our list of the best Amex business credit cards.

5. Capital One Miles

Capital One miles transfer to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio nearly instantaneous, so you can book your award travel almost as soon as you transfer the miles into your account.

Using Etihad Guest miles can potentially save a ton of miles when looking to book first or business class tickets by using the Etihad Guest award chart compared to 1 cent per point of the cash ticket price using the Capital One Travel portal.

Make sure you have a Capital One card that has the transferable miles feature. Here are our picks:

TOP PICK
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)
The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
  • $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
Card Highlights
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles
$1,350
$95
19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 5x miles per $1 on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
  • Up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)
The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles
$360
$0
19.74% - 29.74% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.

But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?

Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
  • Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
  • No luxury travel or elite benefits
Card Highlights
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.74% - 29.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.74% - 29.74% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

There are a number of Capital One business credit cards, too.

6. Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi ThankYou Rewards is one of Etihad Guest’s transfer partners. Simply earn points with your Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card and transfer them to your Etihad Guest account at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
75,000 points
$1,200
$95
20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR
Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
  • $100 annual hotel benefit
Cons
    • $95 annual fee
Card Highlights
  • For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
  • Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
  • Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

7. Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

You can earn Marriott Bonvoy points and transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Etihad at a rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you’ll receive a bonus of an extra 5,000 Etihad miles. Marriott Bonvoy transfers to Etihad Guest take around 36 hours, so keep that in mind.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
60,000 points + 1 Free Night Award
$770
$0
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
  • 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
  • 5 Elite Night Credits each year
Cons
  • Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
  • Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
125,000 points
$875
$95
20.99% - 27.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
85,000 points
$595
$250
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
  • $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
Card Highlights
  • Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
  • Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card.
  • Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
95,000 points
$665
$650
20.24%-29.24% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
Card Highlights
  • Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
  • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

8. Other Hotel Loyalty Program Conversions

You have the option to transfer miles from several other hotel loyalty programs as well. Here is a list of all transfer ratios:

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Hotel

Transfer Ratio (Hotel > Etihad)

ALL – Accor Live Limitless

4,000:2,000

Hilton Honors

10,000:1,000

IHG One Rewards

10,000:2,000

Marriott Bonvoy

3,000:1,000 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred

Radisson Rewards Americas

10:1

Shangri-La Circle

1:1

World of Hyatt

5,000:2,000 with a 12,500-mile bonus for every 50,000 points transferred

Remember, you can also earn hotel points with hotel credit cards such as those from IHG and Hilton hotels.

Earn Miles Through Partner Travel

9. Fly Partner Airlines

Etihad partner airlines offer the opportunity to travel to even more destinations. These partners allow you to earn Etihad Guest miles for flights as long as you include your Etihad Guest Number when booking your trip. In almost all cases, you won’t earn miles through partner award travel, only on partner revenue flights.

The table below shows the Etihad Guest miles earning percentage for each partner airline. Together they provide a network of more than 3,000 destinations across 6 continents.

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Airline

Miles Percentage

Airline

Miles Percentage

Air Canada

0 to 125%

Gulf Air

50% to 175%

Air Europa

0 to 150%

Hainan Airlines

0% to 250%

Air New Zealand

100%

Korean Air*

25% to 180%

Air Serbia*

0% to 175%

Malaysia Airlines

25% to 150%

All Nippon Airways*

50% to 150%

Oman Air

10% to 300%

American Airlines

25% to 250%

Royal Air Maroc

0% to 150%

Asiana Airlines

50% to 135%

Saudia

25% to 250%

Brussels Airlines

25% to 150%

Scandinavian Airlines*

50% to 200%

Etihad Airways

25% to 400%

SriLankan Airlines*

0% to 200%

EL AL

25% to 175%

Virgin Australia*

25% to 200%

Garuda Indonesia

25% to 200%

 

 

* Many of Etihad Airways’ partners provide some of the same frequent flyer privileges as Etihad Airways, including priority check-in, priority boarding, lounge access, bonus miles, and extra baggage allowances. Some only include partial privileges, while others include the full suite of benefits.

Hot Tip: For more information, check out this in-depth guide to help you know where to credit your airline miles.

10. Hotel Partner Stays

The following hotels offer Etihad Guest miles per night, stay, or $1 spent:

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Hotel

Miles/Stay

Agoda/PointsMAX

Up to 10,000 miles per stay

Booking.com

3 to 6 miles per $1 spent

Dusit Hotels & Resorts

500 miles per stay

Hyatt

From 500 miles per stay

IHG

500 miles per stay

Marriott Bonvoy

Up to 2 miles per $1 spent

Millennium & Copthorne

500 miles per stay

Minor Hotel Group

500 miles per stay

Rocketmiles

Up to 10,000 miles per night

Rotana

500 miles per stay

Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Up to 500 miles per stay

Travel Rewards

From 1,000 miles per night

11. Rental Car Bookings

Etihad Airways partners with Avis and Budget to give you plenty of opportunities for earning Etihad Guest miles.

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Etihad Guest Bronze Member

Etihad Guest Silver Member

Etihad Guest Gold Member

Etihad Guest Platinum Member

Earn per USD Spend

3 miles

3 miles

4 miles

5 miles

Total Earn When Paid With Co-brand Card per USD Spend

3.75 miles

3.75 miles

5 miles

7.50 miles

First-time Rental Bonus

2,000

3,000

4000

5,000

Earn on Ancillary Products

150

150

150

150

Avis Preferred Join Bonus

1,000

1,000

1000

1,000

12. Book Etihad Holidays

Etihad Holidays landing page
Enjoy a vacation with Etihad Holidays and earn miles. Book a flight and hotel or flight and car with optional extras. Image Credit: Etihad

Choose from all-inclusive trips, family vacations, beach holidays, and more with Etihad Holidays and earn Guest miles at the same time. Whether you want to take a tour, safari, cruise, or another trip, there is something for everyone.

Search available destinations and offers at Etihad Holidays and book your trip there. Alternatively, you can call Etihad Holidays at 877-690-0767.

13. Miles Plus Cash

Etihad Airlines allows you to purchase up to 25% of the miles needed for a reward when making a redemption. It can be a great way to maximize your earnings!

When searching for a reward, choose the Miles Plus Cash option. Use the slider on the page to check both the total miles needed as well as the minimum number of miles that must be redeemed. It will display how much it costs to purchase the miles you’re allowed to buy.

By taking advantage of this option, you can pick up miles at a huge saving. For instance, we found Miles Plus Cash offers that allow you to buy miles for as low as 0.9 cents each!

You must book the reward online through the website and not by phone.

Earn Guest Miles While Shopping

14. Etihad Guest Reward Shop

Shop at the Etihad Guest Rewards Shop and earn points for purchases. Just make sure to set the site to your applicable country and currency at the top of the page for accuracy. Then you can filter by a category, check out the featured departments, and look for the best deals.

Etihad Guest rewards shop
Shop with popular online retailers at the Etihad Guest Reward Shop and earn points on all of your purchases. Image Credit: Etihad Guest

15. Etihad Guest Other Partner Offers

Etihad Guest has a number of shopping partners, including Montblanc, The Bicester Collection, and the utu Tax Free app.

You can leverage several other spending partners by referencing the complete shopping/lifestyle partner list.

Special Programs for Earning Etihad Guest Miles

16. Etihad Guest Family Membership

Etihad Guest Family Membership
Etihad Guest Family Membership allows families to pool miles together. Image Credit: Etihad Guest

Etihad Guest’s miles pooling program is called Etihad Guest Family Membership. You can combine miles using the accumulated family balance via the head of family membership. That way, you can earn rewards faster and consolidate miles into 1 organized account.

You can have up to 8 family members, including the head of the family. Eligible members are:

  • Sisters
  • Brothers
  • Mother
  • Father
  • Spouse
  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Parents-in-law
  • Stepparents
  • Step-siblings
  • Stepchildren
  • Step-grandchildren
  • Nephews
  • Nieces
  • A household helper (limited to 1)

Final Thoughts

Earning Etihad Guest miles can be a breeze if you know all the opportunities that are out there. Hopefully, these strategies have shown you all that is possible.

Now it’s time to start earning miles, so you can redeem miles for Etihad flights and other rewards.

The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in the Etihad Guest Programme?

Sign up for the Etihad Guest Programme online.

How does the Etihad Guest Programme work?

The Etihad Guest Programme is the loyalty program for Etihad Airways. It’s free to join, and you can rack up miles by traveling with Etihad Airways and its partners.

You can also make purchases with Etihad Airways’ retail partners to accrue miles.

In addition to earning miles, your membership brings a host of other benefits depending on the status tier, such as upgrades, lounge access, and priority check-in.

How many miles do I need to qualify for a premium tier?

Members start at the Guest tier. Earn 25,000 tier miles or 20 tier segments to move on to Silver. Gold requires 50,000 tier miles or 40 tier segments. Finally, earn 125,000 tier miles or 6o tier segments to reach Platinum.

Once you reach a premium tier, you will receive bonus miles: 25% (Silver), 50% (Gold), or 75% (Platinum).

How can I check my Etihad Miles balance?

Check your Etihad miles balance by logging in to your account.

When do Etihad miles expire?

Etihad Guest miles expire after 18 months plus an additional 18 months with any eligible miles transaction. However, Etihad Guest miles never expire for Platinum members.

Can I transfer miles to the Etihad Guest Programme from other loyalty programs?

Yes. Etihad Airways has many travel partners that allow you to transfer points and miles, including Capital One Miles,  Citi ThankYou Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

How many Etihad Guest miles are required for a trip reward?

Find out exactly how many miles you need to redeem for your trip with the mileage calculator.

How can I contact the Etihad Guest Programme?

Call the Etihad Guest Programme at 877-690-0767, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also email the Guest Service Centre: guest@etihadguest.com.

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About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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