I note some here saying that they are off to EK. Has anyone actually done a like-like comparison of the new EY burn rates versus the current EK burn rates?

I wonder if the grass (or perhaps sand :))really is greener??

yep there wasn't much in it pre the changes (from Europe going east anyhow) now there is a huge difference. Only real benefit is the family account with EY :(

This is atrocious and MUCH worse than similar devaluation schemes on other programmes.

Basically we have all been tricked. I booked a number of j returns, tempted by the bonus miles and made the bookings based on what I could use the miles on - two J returns Lhr-auh. The cost for this has now gone up by 50%! What they told me I would receive for booking these flights was not true.

Well done Efihad. I'm platinum but will book no more. You're great in the air but the consistently bad customer service through the etihad guest programmes and now this means I will go back to BA for LHR and to Qatar for all other destinations - Oneworld partner, as good in the air and a guest programme that doesn't rip off loyal customers.

Hi irish mark,

Thanks for your post and we regret to hear that you are disappointed. We will convey the message here to our management to look into it. If you need any assistance with regards to redeem your miles, let us know and we will be happy to help. *ES

Thanks EtihadHelp^; Hopefully by this stage your management will have been conveyed lots of messages. A reply from them would be great!! Changes often need to be adapted to prevailing market conditions. A turkey will never vote for Christmas but I certainly do believe that running changes past a group/forum of people can often be a great help to judge sentiment and reaction. Most Travelers are pragmatic and realize change does happen.

As it stands I believe there are a lot of Etihad Guest members (probably mostly higher tiers) who are totally at risk of losing interest in the Loyalty Program that belongs to what is in many ways a great Airline. Etihad Guest is a Loyalty program; with these changes Im sure many frequent flyers will feel their loyalty has definitely been short changed.

Hi yabadoo, we regret to know that felt that way. Let us know if you need any help and we will happy to assist you. *ES

Hi pml147, We’re making these changes in light of the increasing demand from our members for seats, particularly in Business Class and First Class cabins. These changes will ensure that the programme remains attractive, competitive and sustainable.

Let us know if you need any help! *ES

May i make a suggestion that im sure would benefit both Etihad and its loyal customers.
Keep your new rates as published, but allow for discounted rates for Etihadguest silver, gold, and platinum members when redeeming miles for guest seats or upgrades. Something in the likes of 15% for silver, 25% for gold, and 35% for platinum. This would reduce the upgrade cost back to rates similar to july 8 levels, and in turn entice people to stay with Etihad but also fly more to attain gold / plat to get the higher discounted rate.

No you're not. You're really really not.

You are making it much LESS competitive to try and get extra revenue out of your most loyal customers.

And it will fail because it is far too drastic.

+1 Mike, I like it. May I also suggest that the blackout on upgrading Breaking Deals seats be waived for higher tier members.

Perhaps you should send an email to Guest with your comment as well, I think it's a good one.

Triple post

Yes, I need help understanding your explanations, and I am sure I am not the only one.

Can you explain why making most seats much more expensive is "attractive"? To whom is this "attractive"?

Similarly, when all flights to/from Europe now cost so much more than they used to - to all destinations - how can this be called "competitive"?

And when a drastic devaluation is ushered in with scant notice, and when Etihad (and you, as their mouthpiece here) constantly imply stuff along the lines of "this is what the customer wants" or that this is, somehow, better, how "sustainable" is your programme?

Hi all

Have done a little calculation EK vs EY. All fares based on low season.

Class Miles Fare miles per USD

AUH – JFK OW // EY
Earn:
T E 1713 NA
G U V 3426 1035 – 1097 USD 3.20
L Q M K 5139 1296 – 1705 USD 3.42
H B Y 6852 2094– 2957 USD 2.71

Upgrade Y - C
U V G 83252 1035 – 1097 USD
L Q M K 62439 1296 – 1705 USD
B H Y 41626 2094 – 2957 USD

DXB – JFK OW // EK
Earn:
X V 1500 NA
T L Q 2100 626 – 844 USD 2.85
U B M W 4200 904 – 1231 USD 3.93
R E Y 6000 1612 – 2293 USD 3.07

Upgrade Y - C
T L Q 95000 626 – 844 USD
U B M W 70200 904 – 1231 USD
R E Y 54000 1612 – 2293 USD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LHR – SYD OW // EY
Earn:
T E 2729 720 – 843 USD 3.49
G U V 5458 955 – 1082 USD 5.35
L Q M K 8186 1280 – 1832 USD 5.26
H B Y 10915 2077 – 2568 USD 4.70

Upgrade Y - C
U V G 155353 955 – 1082 USD
L Q M K 115083 1280 – 1832 USD
B H Y 85294 2077 – 2568 USD

LHR – SYD OW // EK
Earn :
X V 2750 NA
T L Q 3850 383 – 598 USD 7.84
U B M W 7700 713 – 1219 USD 7.97
R E Y 11000 1464 - 1954 USD 6.43

Upgrade Y - C
T L Q 118750 383 – 598 USD
U B M W 81250 713 – 1219 USD
R E Y 62500 1464 - 1954 USD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CDG – BKK OW // EY
Earn:
T E 1586 157 – 235 USD 8.09
G U V 3171 291 – 358 USD 9.77
L Q M K 4757 397 – 665 USD 8.95
H B Y 6342 900 – 1694 USD 4.88

Upgrade Y - C
U V G 102344 291 – 358 USD
L Q M K 69842 397 – 665 USD
B H Y 56840 900 – 1694 USD

CDG – BKK OW // EK
Earn :
X V 1500 144 USD 10.4
T L Q 2100 185 – 308 USD 8.51
U B M W 4200 408 – 621 USD 8.16
R E Y 6000 732 – 1236 USD 6.09

Upgrade Y - C
T L Q 98750 185 – 308 USD
U B M W 68250 408 – 621 USD
R E Y 52500 732 – 1236 USD

What I can see is that EY is ‘better’ for fares ex AUH than EK ex DXB. However flights ex EU or ex US, looks like EK would be ‘better’

Triple post.

Thanks for your suggestions Mike! We will forward it to the concerned team to look into it. Have a nice day :) *ES