Summary
- Etihad Guest loyalty program offers five elite levels based on Tier Miles, with a new Diamond level introduced in 2024.
- Tier Miles can be earned from flying, credit card spending, and retail sources to qualify for elite status.
- Elite status benefits include core benefits, custom benefits, and beyond benefits, tailored to each level of membership.
Etihad Guest is Etihad Airways’ loyalty program. It allows travelers to collect and spend miles and also offers frequent travelers the chance to earn elite status. This status gives benefits when traveling with Etihad Airways. As the airline is not a member of any of the main alliances, benefits are very much just for Etihad flyers (although miles can be earned and spent with many partner airlines).
Note that the Etihad Guest program was refreshed in early 2024. There were several changes to the elite levels and benefits at this time, most notably the introduction of a new level of Diamond.
Elite status with Etihad Guest
Following a revamp in early 2024, Etihad Guest now has five levels – an entry-level of Bronze and then earned elite levels above this of Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond.
Progress between the levels is based on the number of Tier Miles earned during a year. These are awarded differently from standard Guest Miles (that can be used for flight awards and upgrades).
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Previous program users should be aware that prior to 2024, elite status was awarded based on a combination of Tier Miles and Tier Segments. The segment criteria have now been removed.
Note the following:
- Tier Miles can be earned from flying (with Etihad Airways and partner airlines), from credit card spending, and from some retail sources. See the next section for more details on how these are awarded.
- Each tier requires different levels of achievement to earn for the first time or to renew beyond the first year.
- For each level, there is a minimum number of Tier Miles that has to be earned from flights.
- The new top level of Diamond requires qualification for Platinum, plus a minimum spend with Etihad Airways of $150,000 (USD).
|
Tier Level |
Tier Miles to qualify |
Tier Miles to renew |
|---|---|---|
|
Bronze |
Entry level – free |
Entry level – free |
|
Silver |
25,000 (10,000 from flying) |
20,000 (10,000 from flying) |
|
Gold |
50,000 (20,000 from flying) |
40,000 (20,000 from flying) |
|
Platinum |
125,000 (40,000 from flying) |
100,000 (40,000 from flying) |
|
Diamond |
Platinum member plus $150,000 spending |
25,000 (40,000 from flying) plus $150,000 spending |
Earning Tier Miles with Etihad Guest
Tier Miles differ from standard Guest Miles. They are awarded from fewer sources and are only used to determine elite status each year. Standard Guest Miles can be redeemed for free flight awards, upgrades, and more.
Tier Miles can be earned in the following ways:
From flights with Etihad Airways
Tier Miles are earned based on the fare paid and flight distance/route. They are earned at the same level as standard Guest Miles. Note that there are no elite status bonus Tier Miles (just bonus Guest Miles).
Related
The Different Ways To Earn Etihad Guest Miles
Guest Miles can be earned from flying Etihad and its many partners, plus through credit cards and other spending.
Etihad Guest Miles are awarded as follows:
|
Cabin |
Fare Type |
Miles earning (% of distance flown) |
|---|---|---|
|
First class |
First |
300% |
|
Business Class |
Deluxe |
250% |
|
Business Class |
Comfort |
200% |
|
Business Class |
Value |
100% |
|
Economy Class |
Deluxe |
125% |
|
Economy Class |
Comfort |
75% |
|
Economy Class |
Value |
35% |
|
Economy Class |
Basic |
15% |
These fare types and miles earned will be shown when booking flights, as shown in the example below.
Photo: Etihad Airways
From flights with partner airlines
Although Etihad Airways is not a member of any of the main airline alliances, it has partnerships with several airlines for earning and spending miles.
- Air Canada
- Air Serbia
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Asiana Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- El Al
- Garuda Indonesia
- Gulf Air
- Hainan Airlines
- JetBlue
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Malaysia Airlines
- Oman Air
- Royal Air Maroc
- Saudia
- Scandinavian Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
- Virgin Australia
Photo: aktugates | Shutterstock
Miles earned from these airlines count as Tier Miles. These are awarded based on the flight distance and booking code—in the same way that they are for Etihad Airways flights. Etihad Guest publishes tables for each partner airline showing the earnings rate (generally from 20% up to 250% depending on fare class).
The table below shows earnings rates for Hainan Airlines:
Photo: Etihad Airways
And for Air France long-haul flights:
Photo: Etihad Airways
From credit card spending
Earning elite status through credit card use has become increasingly important with many airline loyalty programs. Some programs allow qualification based just on credit card spend. With Etihad Guest, there needs to be a defined element of flying-based earning.
Etihad Guest offers many co-branded cards. These include those in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India but not in the US or any European markets. Spending on all these cards earns Tier Miles—usually at a rate of around one Tier Mile per AED 3 spent, but there can be differences.
Elite status benefits with Etihad Guest
Increasing elite levels brings better benefits at each level. With the Etihad Guest program, these benefits only apply when traveling with Etihad Airways. Although miles can be earned and redeemed with an impressive 23 partner airlines, no elite benefits are offered when traveling with these airlines. This, of course, is very different from an alliance-linked loyalty program, where there are defined benefits offered across all member airlines.
Some of the main changes to the Etihad Guest program in 2024 are in relation to elite status benefits. Etihad Guest now has a range of benefits at each level, defined as follows:
- Core Benefits. These are the standard benefits offered when you reach each elite level.
- Custom Benefits. These are additional benefits offered. At each level, members are given a choice of a variety of benefits. This now includes lounge access.
- Beyond Benefits. These are mid-way benefits that can be chosen when you surpass the requirements for Gold or Platinum (but don’t reach the next level).
Photo: Kent Raney | Shutterstock
In general, there are strong benefits for regular Etihad Airways travelers. This is especially true for those who often travel in economy class and can benefit from lounge access, seat selection, additional baggage, and preferential airport treatment. There is less on offer for regular premium cabin travelers. Lounge access is offered, unusually, as an optional benefit. Upgrading is very weak compared to many other loyalty programs – there are only very limited regional options for Platinum members.
Elite status benefits – Core Benefits
The benefits that are offered at each level include the following.
Bronze (free starting level):
Silver level adds:
- 25% bonus miles when flying Etihad Airways
- Dedicated check-in at Abu Dhabi
- Guaranteed economy seat (48 hours before departure)
Photo: Sener Dagasan | Shutterstock
Gold level adds:
- 50% bonus miles when flying Etihad Airways
- Use of business class check-in
- Priority security, boarding, and luggage handling
- 25% discount on WiFi access (surfing)
- Free seat selection (for passenger plus one more)
Photo: M101Studio | Shutterstock
Platinum level adds:
- 100% bonus miles when flying Etihad Airways
- Miles do not expire as long as you remain a Platinum member
- Use of first class check-in
- Guaranteed economy seat (24 hours before departure)
- Guaranteed Business seat (48 hours before departure)
- Free WiFi access (surfing)
- Free chauffeur service when flying Business or First
- Ability to gift one Gold membership
- Free seat selection (for passengers plus three more)
Diamond level does not have any additional specified benefits as yet. This is a new tier level and named benefits may follow. For now, Etihad simply promises:
“an array of extraordinary benefits … to elevate your travel experience to new heights. With bespoke benefits both before and during your flight.
Photo: Etihad Airways
Elite status benefits – Custom Benefits
The custom benefits are a new idea from Etihad Guest. From Silver level onwards, members can choose additional benefits that best suit them. The choices include the following.
At Silver level, members can choose two of:
- Business class lounge access at Abu Dhabi only
- Up to 75% off additional baggage
- Free standard seat selection for members only
- Two Reward shop vouchers
Photo: Galina-Photo | Shutterstock
At Gold level, members can choose four of:
- Business class lounge access for members plus one guest
- One free checked luggage (15kg)
- Free standard seat selection for members plus one guest
- Free chauffeur service when flying Business or First
- Two times chauffeur service when flying Economy
- One free refund on miles ticket booking
- Two uses of home check-in in Abu Dhabi
- Four Reward shop vouchers
Photo: Etihad Airways
At Platinum level, members can choose five of:
- First class lounge access for members plus one guest
- One free checked luggage (20kg)
- Free standard seat selection for members plus three guests, including extra legroom seats
- Free same-day changes
- Two complimentary upgrades on selected regional routes
- Two times chauffeur service when flying Economy
- Two free refunds on miles ticket booking
- Four uses of home check-in in Abu Dhabi
- Six Reward shop vouchers
Photo: Ryken Papy | Shutterstock
Elite status benefits – Beyond Benefits
These are also a new introduction, and reward members who exceed the requirements for Gold but don’t reach Platinum, and who exceed Platinum.
When passing Gold and reaching 75,000 Tier Miles, members can choose two of the following:
- Two business class lounge passes
- One Silver Tier nomination
- 10,000 bonus Guest Miles
When passing Platinum and reaching 150,000 Tier Miles, members can choose three of the following:
- Three business class lounge passes
- Three priority access vouchers
- One Silver Tier nomination
- 20,000 bonus Guest Miles
-
Etihad Airways
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- EY/ETD
- Airline Type:
- Full Service Carrier
- Hub(s):
- Abu Dhabi International Airport
- Year Founded:
- 2003
- CEO:
- Tony Douglas
- Country:
- United Arab Emirates
