Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Etihad flights in August - Guest miles question

Hello - I am hoping that someome may be able to enlighten me in respect to my upcoming trip on Etihad. I have never been in any type of flyer program before so admit I am a bit clueless when it comes to this but obviously I'll learn as I go along.

My husband and I are flying the following legs with Etihad:

Melb - Abu Dhabi EY461 First Class
Abu Dhabi - Athens EY 91 Business Class
London - Abu Dhabi EY 12 First Class
Abu Dhabi - Amman EY 513 Business Class
Amman - Abu Dhabi EY 516 Business Class
Abu Dhabi - Melb EY460 First Class

I have joined us both up as Etihad guests and our travel agent has quoted our guest numbers when she booked these flights. My husband and I both have seperate guest numbers but I was wondering if there was any benefit in joining us as a family membership on the one card?

Also from what I can gather from the site, the points activate once you have flown on the first leg/sector of the flight so I assume by the time we get back home we may have an actual membership card sent to us and accrued some points. Am I correct?

Last thing is do you think this trip will accrue a decent amount of points?

Please excuse my ignorance at this point in time. I just need a little guidance. Thanks guys :-)))

kimala koala

[QUOTE=kimala koala;11709914]

I have joined us both up as Etihad guests and our travel agent has quoted our guest numbers when she booked these flights. My husband and I both have seperate guest numbers but I was wondering if there was any benefit in joining us as a family membership on the one card?

If one miles account does not have enough miles for a reward ticket, you cannot top-up from the other account. However, if you have a family account and all miles funnel into one, then you can use as many miles as needed/available. It wont matter who the family head is, as that person can issue reward tickets in one body's name.

Also from what I can gather from the site, the points activate once you have flown on the first leg/sector of the flight so I assume by the time we get back home we may have an actual membership card sent to us and accrued some points. Am I correct?

Correct. Etihad miles appear immediately in the account (1 hour after actual boarding the plane). Your permanent cards should be dispatched once you take your first flight. You can check your account and balances online.

Last thing is do you think this trip will accrue a decent amount of points?

Yes. Go here http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/global/en/guestrecognition/visitor/Pages/GRP_HomePage.aspx Select calculator under "Your Miles" to find out exact no. of miles you will get for both u and hubby. I estimate you will get at least a business class round trip from SYD to Europe

Enjoy your trip

Thanks Sammy:)

I did a lot more reading and I think I have a handle on it now. Thanks for the nice wishes about the trip. I just can't wait.