Hi,

I have been Etihad Gold member for a while. Recently on 10th April 2012. I got my card renewal as I have enough tire miles to retain gold membership. If it matters, my card came 4 months late via UPS. ( so I was able to track back to the date of shipment) it showed mailing as April 5th.

Package itself, I must say is a major improvement from previous times. It weigh roughly 1 KG.

1. BOX had my name engraved on it in Gold color.
2. Included a letter, with my renewed card attached. Thanking me for being a loyal member and overachieving miles. I totaled 115000 miles last year.
3. Two leather luggage tag pouches inside them gold card with my name.
4. 1 notepad. Black leather cover with my name engraved.
5. Passport and card holder in black leather with my name engraved.

Oh and offer to fly pearl zone at %50 discount using miles ONLY. I rather pay though.

Now the sad part.

One of the terms of Gold membership is validity of 2 years. My card is only valid for 1 year until march 2013.

Is this one of the benefits for customers who are loyal and keep flying Etihad airways that they reduce the gold membership renewal validity from 2 years to 1 year?

I am due to become elite member this year but if this is how loyalty is rewarded amongst mediocre offerings for elite membership. I won't be loyal guest for long.

Is this what happened to all of you guys on your renewals?

.