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This week, Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways announced some notable changes to its Etihad Guest loyalty program, including a new, zone-based award chart and the ability to book partner redemption awards online. These changes will take into effect starting March 10, 2023.
Let’s go over the details.
The first of two changes that the airline will introduce next month is a zone-based award chart.
Traditionally, Etihad’s award chart varied depending on the route and the airline partner. While mileage redemptions were rarely a good deal on Etihad’s own flights, there were quite a few sweet spots on partner airlines, including American Airlines business and first-class awards at pre-devaluation prices.
Moving forward, this updated award chart will make award redemptions with Etihad Guest Miles uniform across all flights — whether it’s on Etihad or any of its airline partners.
This unfortunately means that some of those coveted sweet spots when redeeming Etihad Guest miles for different airlines may cost more, but only time will tell.
Bottom Line: If you’ve been thinking about redeeming Etihad Guest miles for a sweet spot award, now’s likely the time to do it before these changes roll out on March 10, 2023.
Also on March 10, 2023, travelers will be able to book American Airlines and Virgin Australia award flights directly on Etihad’s website. This is a welcome improvement as you currently have to call Etihad to redeem awards on partner airlines.
You’ll still have to call to book other partner award flights, with the exception of American Airlines and Virgin Australia. While these changes go into effect on March 10, the Etihad Guest website is expected to be down starting March 8.
If you’re in need of Etihad Guest miles, the program is an Amex transfer partner, Citi ThankYou transfer partner, and a Capital One transfer partner at a 1:1 ratio, or Marriott Bonvoy points at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll earn an additional 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer.
Etihad Airways announced 2 major changes coming to Etihad Guest beginning March 2023. First, there will soon be 1 zone-based award chart across all partner airlines and Etihad Airways. Currently, there is no uniform award chart, and awards differ between routes, regions, and partners. And secondly, travelers will be able to redeem Etihad Guest miles on American Airlines and Virgin Australia flights directly from the Etihad website.
These changes could be a good or a bad thing, but we’ll keep you posted on the latest developments to see how partner awards are impacted. If you’ve been waiting to book a sweet spot award with Etihad Guest miles, now might be the time to do it before these changes go live.
