Etihad Guest program changes from June 2024

[Mattg]

Etihad Guest is making a bunch of loyalty program changes, expected to take effect from June.

Some of the changes include:

• New award chart pricing (according to the airline, 70-80% of redemptions will become cheaper... we'll see)
• A new Diamond status tier above Platinum
• New personalised elite status benefits - custom benefits that members can choose upon reaching Silver, Gold and Platinum status (this seems to be becoming a bit of a trend)
• Removal of segments as a way to qualify for status
• Platinum and Diamond members will be able to choose their own membership number (I don't know of any other program that offers this - it's kinda cool, albeit of no actual practical benefit)

Huge Etihad Guest Loyalty Program Changes Coming in June — What to Know

These updates include reduced GuestSeat pricing and status earning, personalized status benefits, and a new elite status tier.

upgradedpoints.com

 

[Thibault]

Losing lounge access as a Gold/Platinum and making you 'choose' lounge access as a benefit sounds odd (?).

 

[jase05]

The changes to Guest award seat cancellations is a joke.
If you cancel an award seat you will now get a penalty of 25-75% of your miles.
-Cancel 8-21 days out and you cop a 50% penaltly
- Cancel within 7 days and it’s 75% penalty.
- Cancel within 24hrs and you lose the lot

 

[twiningb]

Yeah, the cancellation penalties are madness.

I'm also concerned whether they will cascade the optional lounge access to partners. Fingers crossed Velocity Plat keeps AUH First Lounge access at least until I plan to use it in July.

 

[Mattg]

So, it also turns out that one of the changes is to the expiration policy. From June, Etihad Guest miles will expire if you don't take at least one flight with Etihad or a partner airline every 18 months.

That's really poor and is possibly a deal-breaker for me. I'll likely look to redeem my remaining miles balance and then just transfer points into my account as needed, rather than maintaining a balance with Etihad if that's the case. Terrible policy.

 

[Mattg]

When it announced these changes, it looks like Etihad increased the number of miles needed to fly MEL-AUH or SYD-AUH in J from 110,000 to 120,000 miles.

That's in addition to raising the number of miles needed for short-haul J & F partner awards by up to 150%.

The new award charts are here: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/etihad-guest-award-charts-2024/

 

[Mattg]

I've just used up most of my Etihad Guest miles. I don't have confidence that they'll still be in my account after 1 June (even the call centre couldn't tell me whether or not I would lose them) so didn't want to risk it.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've just used up most of my Etihad Guest miles. I don't have confidence that they'll still be in my account after 1 June (even the call centre couldn't tell me whether or not I would lose them) so didn't want to risk it.

Redeem miles for an ultra-short haul sector, and don't turn up for the flight.
Activity +18months.

 

[Mattg]

Redeem miles for an ultra-short haul sector, and don't turn up for the flight.
Activity +18months.

Would that count as activity though? The Etihad website says “Your Etihad Guest Miles balance will continue to be extended when you fly with us or any of our partner airlines.”

Not sure whether not turning up for a flight would count as flying for this purpose.

 

[SYD]

This article suggests that account activity keeps points alive (including CC and Hotel transfers, buying points and partner flights eg VA)?

Do Etihad Guest Miles Expire?

Do Etihad Guest miles expire? Yes and no, depending on several factors like elite status and account activity with Etihad Guest.

awardwallet.com

So doesn’t that mean similar to QF and VA 18mth expiry?

 

[Mattg]

This article suggests that account activity keeps points alive (including CC and Hotel transfers, buying points and partner flights eg VA)?

Do Etihad Guest Miles Expire?

Do Etihad Guest miles expire? Yes and no, depending on several factors like elite status and account activity with Etihad Guest.

awardwallet.com

So doesn’t that mean similar to QF and VA 18mth expiry?

That's how it currently works, but Etihad is changing its program next week and has only give vague details about the new policy. It will definitely require flying-related activity.

 

[SYD]

That's how it currently works, but Etihad is changing its program next week and has only give vague details about the new policy. It will definitely require flying-related activity.

Ah, that is pretty draconian. I figured the article I posted (that was relatively recent) factored that in.

If it turns out that a VA flight ticks the box, then that should work for those in Oz…

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Ah, that is pretty draconian. I figured the article I posted (that was relatively recent) factored that in.

If it turns out that a VA flight ticks the box, then that should work for those in Oz…

In some ways, it's brilliant.

Turning the loyalty program back into a frequent flyer program instead of a free-for-all-lifestyle-nonsense that some airlines are obsessed with.
That lifestyle loyalty nonsense might bring in loads of new customers to earning points, but it ultimately results in the most valuable members never being able to get award seats. These most valuable customers.... don't forget - contribute around 20-30% of total revenue.

QF/VA can kinda get away with it because Australians who mostly earn status through domestic travel... are trapped.

As an Etihad Platinum, I've NEVER had ANY issues getting ANY award seat in a premium cabin on ANY date that I want.
100% availability whenever I want to redeem. Latest redemption 4x pax rt in J to Europe. ~800K miles plus a few taxes.

Good luck with that on QF.