Etihad’s loyalty program, Etihad Guest is simplifying its award chart and has recently sent an email to notify its users about an upcoming “enhancement” to the program. Whenever a frequent flyer program talks about making its program “simpler” or “better”, it is almost always bad news.
Time will tell if Etihad is going to improve or decline the value of its program. As it stands, using Etihad Guest miles to book Etihad flights is not all that appealing. Maybe I am wrong, and the charts will be more favourable to Etihad redemptions?
In any case, currently, we do not know what this award chart will look like, but we do know it will go live on March 10. The other thing we currently know is that Etihad is looking to simplify its award chart. Right now, each partner has a different chart, and none of them are bookable online.
Good News – Book Virgin Australia & American Airlines Online
Being able to book Etihad Guest partner redemptions online is fantastic news! From March 10th, we will be able to redeem our Etihad Guest miles online for Virgin Australia flights and American Airlines. At the moment, we have to call up to book these awards. However, there is a good chance that the Etihad/Virgin Australia sweet spots will be culled. Being able to book Virgin Australia from Perth to Melbourne business class for just 21,800 Etihad Guest miles is incredible value.
Let us see if this will remain going forward!
Have booked VA before using Etihad miles. There at present but impossible to book NTL to Mel.
I guess the flights were busy but I gave options of about two months!
I like the idea of online booking but to be honest my miles are running out of time so I’ll have to buy some junk from the shop instead I guess.
Hi Colin, you can search availability online with Velocity Frequent Flyer. From personal experience, this matches the award space Etihad guest has access too. So once you find award space on a date that works, you can call up Etihad and book.