Etihad Airways is making a significant upgrade to its Etihad Guest loyalty program, expanding member options and offering greater transparency and flexibility in redeeming miles. The most significant change concerns the ability to purchase any available seat on the company’s network with miles, with different levels of change and refund options.
At the same time, the company is upgrading the name of GuestSeat awards, which will now be called “Saver Award”, offering a clearer image and low starting prices for those travelers redeeming miles. This move aligns the program’s redemption policy with Etihad’s commercial fare structure.
Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, said that these changes aim to enhance the member experience: “Etihad Guest is designed to reward loyalty. With these changes, our members enjoy even greater flexibility and transparency in redeeming miles. Saver Award seats highlight the exclusive value we offer, giving members more options to tailor their travel to their needs.”
Saver Award: access to every seat with fixed miles
The renaming of the awards reflects a more user-friendly approach for members, who can now more easily identify the fixed redemption prices and the premium value the programme offers. Saver Award seats will continue to be available exclusively to Etihad Guest members, offering redemption on every seat with a fixed number of miles.
At the same time, redemption can be made not only on Etihad’s rapidly expanding network, but also through a network of over 26 partners – the largest in the world for a non-alliance airline. Hong Kong Airlines will soon join the network, following the agreement signed last week to launch the new Hong Kong-Abu Dhabi route.
Clearer fare features and refund options
In line with its commercial fares, Etihad is now adding different features and levels of flexibility to award tickets, including the option of a full refund, depending on the fare selected.
