Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Etihad Gold, worth it?

I will have Gold status after my next flight early November and wonder if it will be worth the status?

I mostly fly business class and enjoy Etihad service.
The silver advantages are fine to me: business lounge access when travelling economy (except Brussels) and 10kgs extra luggage, I only miss the Qatar silver advantage of business class counter check in, which I will have with EY gold anyway. The 25% percent extra milage will help somewhat, together with fast track, but I am not impressed.

On 3 years flying EY mainly Europe- Bangkok I had one upgrade to business at check in, which upped to first at boarding time. That was the nicest flight ever, but it remains a one off. Since I mostly fly business anyway, I can't get upgraded to business anyway.

Since a few months my status is hovering near gold, missing 3 to 5k miles due to the 12 months rolling rule, seems I fly one week later this year as compared to previous, idem year before. So being 3-5k away from gold has not provided me any perks. But I'll get there anyway soon.

I plan my next trip to Europe for Spring 2010 and see excellent deals on Qatar business, around 350 euro cheaper as compared to Etihad x2, travelling with my wife. I guess if I can save 700 euro on the trip I might fly Qatar to Paris in stead, or fly EY economy taking advantage of gold status, wondering if the gold perks will be worth it.

Thanks for any consideration/experience from EY gold card holders.

I just made Gold. The only additional benefit that I am aware of is that you can use miles to upgrade from business to first class (only Gold can do this in advance). Oh, and you get some add'l miles from each flight. I guess that is a biggie if you want free flights. :D

I will have Gold status after my next flight early November and wonder if it will be worth the status?

I mostly fly business class and enjoy Etihad service.
The silver advantages are fine to me: business lounge access when travelling economy (except Brussels) and 10kgs extra luggage, I only miss the Qatar silver advantage of business class counter check in, which I will have with EY gold anyway. The 25% percent extra milage will help somewhat, together with fast track, but I am not impressed.

On 3 years flying EY mainly Europe- Bangkok I had one upgrade to business at check in, which upped to first at boarding time. That was the nicest flight ever, but it remains a one off. Since I mostly fly business anyway, I can't get upgraded to business anyway.

Since a few months my status is hovering near gold, missing 3 to 5k miles due to the 12 months rolling rule, seems I fly one week later this year as compared to previous, idem year before. So being 3-5k away from gold has not provided me any perks. But I'll get there anyway soon.

I plan my next trip to Europe for Spring 2010 and see excellent deals on Qatar business, around 350 euro cheaper as compared to Etihad x2, travelling with my wife. I guess if I can save 700 euro on the trip I might fly Qatar to Paris in stead, or fly EY economy taking advantage of gold status, wondering if the gold perks will be worth it.

Thanks for any consideration/experience from EY gold card holders.

You can also use the F class lounge. For me, that makes it worth it.

You can also use the F class lounge. For me, that makes it worth it.


You can??? I was not aware of this. Is this information listed on the website? I thought it said you can only use the Business Class lounge. If true, a decent benefit given the business lounges in AUH are overcrowded.

Access to first class lounge in AUH for Gold members was possible but no longer. I think that benefit was lost around a year ago. They can use the overcrowded business lounge.

Also the complimentary limo for Golds flying economy was axed earlier this year. That was a definite bonus saving around GBP60 on a taxi from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. But business customers get this benefit anyway.

As I don't tend to fly business class, I can't offer any advice on benefits to Gold members, other than extra 50% miles. I suppose that means earning enough for a Business to First upgrade sooner.

Also, with Gold the status stays for remainder of the year and an additional 2 years (plus 3 months at the end of that), which is useful if you fly a lot one year and not so much for the next couple of years.