Heading to Europe? You can cash in Etihad Guest miles for insanely cheap Business class flights on Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines and Air Serbia.
The Opportunity
Etihad Guest miles are relatively easy to earn in Australia. You can earn miles by shopping at Coles, transfer points from many Australian credit cards, and even buy miles directly from Etihad Airways.
As Etihad partners with a host of airlines from all over the world, Etihad Guest miles are a useful currency. But one of the unique aspects of the Etihad Guest program is that the cost of an award flight varies wildly, depending on the airline. On some airlines, award flight redemptions are ridiculously expensive. On others, flights are insanely cheap.
Three airlines that fall into the latter category are Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines and Air Serbia. Both operate a mix of short and long-haul flights from their European hubs of Brussels, Prague and Belgrade, respectively.
To check award availability and redeem your Etihad Guest miles on any of these airlines, you would need to call Etihad.
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines redemptions used to be so cheap that it was easy to assume there was a mistake. While Etihad recently increased the Brussels Airlines redemption rates, they are still extremely reasonable. Many short-haul Business class flights cost just 9,000 Etihad Guest miles. This includes routes between Brussels and Milan, London, Edinburgh or Copenhagen.
Long-haul Brussels Airlines flights are even better value. The Belgian airline flies direct to destinations across Africa, North America and India. A one-way Business redemption from Brussels to New York, for example, costs just 44,000 miles.
Air Serbia
Air Serbia has only one long-haul route; from Belgrade to New York. A Business award seat costs 64,082 miles, which is fair value. But intra-Europe Business class on Air Serbia is particularly good value. Flights from Belgrade to destinations such as Rome and Vienna cost just 7,125 miles in Business class. Belgrade-London costs 14,834 miles in Business.
Czech Airlines
Awards on Czech Airlines are also exceptional value, including the previously-featured flight from Seoul to Prague. Intra-Europe Business class redemptions start at just 7,000 Etihad miles, such as Prague-Amsterdam.
The Facts
- Currency: Etihad Guest miles
- Airlines: Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Air Serbia
- Routes: Many short-haul and long-haul routes to/from Brussels, Prague and Belgrade
- Class of travel: Business
- Cost: Varies by route and airline. See the award charts for travel on each airline on Etihad’s website.
- Availability: Varies by route and airline. Intra-Europe award availability is generally good.
- How to book: Call Etihad Guest on 1300 532 215.
Would you like help using your frequent flyer points?
Frequent Flyer Solutions offers a personalised service that’s designed to take the hard work out of redeeming your frequent flyer points!
Award Flight Assist can help you to find the perfect flights using your points. Just let the team know how many points you have and where you would like to go, and they’ll prepare an itinerary for you.
Find out more about the Award Flight Assist service.
Not sure yet where you’d like to go with your points? Stay tuned for more Points Inspiration articles!
