[Expired] Buy Etihad Guest Miles With up to a 30% Bonus [Ends February 25]

Update:The offer mentioned below has expired and is no longer available.

Etihad Airways is a Middle Eastern airline based in Abu Dhabi that has become popular for its opulent first class product.

While it’s regarded as a member of the “Middle East 3” (along with Emirates and Qatar Airways), Etihad is not in any of the 3 major worldwide airline alliances. Instead, it has opted for a variety of individual partnerships with specific airlines, including American Airlines.

And now, Etihad is offering a buy-miles promotion, allowing you to purchase miles with up to a 30% bonus — but is it worth it?

Let’s take a look at the details to find out.

Promotion Details

With this new promotion, you’ll be able to buy Etihad miles for as little as 1.54 cents each. This is a bit more expensive than our valuation of 1.4 cents per mile, meaning it could be a solid deal depending on the redemption you have in mind.

Here are some more details you should be aware of:

• The promotion is valid from now through February 25, 2024
• You must buy miles in increments of 1,000
• Members can buy a maximum of 100,000 miles per year (not including any bonus miles)
• The bonus varies depending on how many miles you buy:
  • Buy 25,000 to 49,000 miles and get a 20% bonus (1.67 cents per mile)
  • Buy 50,000 to 100,000 miles and get a 30% bonus (1.54 cents per mile)

Is It Worth It?

Etihad is less popular than other airlines for award travel, possibly because its system is difficult to use. Although travelers can now book American Airlines and Virgin Australia award flights online, you’ll need to call the airline to book other award flights, since its own system can neither show nor allow you to redeem miles for flights.

In the spring, Etihad launched a zone-based award chart, eradicating many previous partner sweet spots. Therefore, this current deal is likely less compelling than before, unless you’ve got a specific redemption in mind.

Hot Tip: Purchases of Etihad miles are processed by Points.com, which means you’ll want to use a credit card that maximizes everyday spending, such as many cards issued by Capital One.

Final Thoughts

Etihad is selling miles for as little as 1.54 cents apiece. While this is above our valuation, it could make sense to take advantage of it if you have a specific use for those miles.

While Etihad requires that you call to book for many airlines, you can find award availability with a variety of carriers, including British Airways and Qantas, to ensure your desired seats are available.