Is collecting Guest miles worth it anymore?
Apr 26, 2023, 8:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Is collecting Guest miles worth it anymore?
I always used Etihad co-branded credit cards to collect miles and book awards flight. Sure there were numerous devaluations throughout the years but it was alot easier to collect miles on Etihad than on Emirates (almost 2 guest miles per dollar for most transactions vs 1.5 skywards miles for very specific transactions), that plus the vouchers you get from Etihad cards such as companion/ discount vouchers for award flights which you couldn't get on any Skywards branded card.
Now with the March update it's almost impossible to find award space and according to some users the miles required for upgrading have increased dramatically.
Is collecting Guest miles worth it anymore?
Now with the March update it's almost impossible to find award space and according to some users the miles required for upgrading have increased dramatically.
Is collecting Guest miles worth it anymore?
Apr 26, 2023, 11:12 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Qatar Airways, Etihad Guest, Emirates Skywards, Discovery Hotels, Bonvoy
Posts: 24
We're watching the downfall of the program, as many comments can attest to on these threads. The increased pricing is one thing but really issue is that there is absolutely no award availability on most routes anymore. I've been regularly checking seat spy, i've noticed Toronto does not have a single Business seat available for the next 365 days, USA and Australia and almost all other routes are the same. Fixed price mile upgrades don't exist anymore so again miles have become useless when it comes to flying.
Clearly no value in flying / earning Etihad miles anymore, and like many others, I've moved all my travel and loyalty to Emirates (and Emirates will match your EY status via status matcher).
Clearly no value in flying / earning Etihad miles anymore, and like many others, I've moved all my travel and loyalty to Emirates (and Emirates will match your EY status via status matcher).
Apr 27, 2023, 3:03 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Programs: EY Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 426
there are some good finds still for business and economy to Australia and other markets. the issue I have is the guest seats post the online changes don't seem to be compatible with EIBs 50% miles back credit card.. 100% need to be on points inc taxes, whereas guest seats now seem to only been points and paid taxes not 100% on points.
Apr 27, 2023, 3:08 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
We're watching the downfall of the program, as many comments can attest to on these threads. The increased pricing is one thing but really issue is that there is absolutely no award availability on most routes anymore. I've been regularly checking seat spy, i've noticed Toronto does not have a single Business seat available for the next 365 days, USA and Australia and almost all other routes are the same. Fixed price mile upgrades don't exist anymore so again miles have become useless when it comes to flying.
Clearly no value in flying / earning Etihad miles anymore, and like many others, I've moved all my travel and loyalty to Emirates (and Emirates will match your EY status via status matcher).
Clearly no value in flying / earning Etihad miles anymore, and like many others, I've moved all my travel and loyalty to Emirates (and Emirates will match your EY status via status matcher).
Apr 27, 2023, 4:54 am
#5
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: Qatar Airways, Etihad Guest, Emirates Skywards, Discovery Hotels, Bonvoy
Posts: 24
EIB card has some changes, the miles are credited post flight now. Agree the terminology is confusing but I understood it to be miles will be refunded based a Guestseat booking, and not for cash + miles tickets bookings.
Apr 30, 2023, 4:51 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Programs: EY Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 426
Im led to believe the tax component actually makes the system believe its points and cash. needs to be a 100% points TX for the 50%
Apr 30, 2023, 9:20 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Etihad award booking system is really wonky sometimes. I was going to book an award flight one time and I it showed me that I needed to pay points + cash one time, then I wanted to book the same award flight a week later and it was 100% points only (including the taxes). I really hope that the lack of availability is a temporary thing, those discount vouchers do really make a difference compared to other FF programs
Apr 30, 2023, 11:30 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum, IHG Diamond Elite Ambassador
Posts: 50
From there being zero availability for Business GuestSeats for the entire year on the AUH-ZRH route when I checked three days ago, there is suddenly multiple seats available almost every week. Even after the Serbian Call Centre assured me that there was no issue and the seats are allocated at release and only come available after being booked if someone cancels, so nothing available meant they were all booked already.....and suddenly loads of people have cancelled, or B the system is wonky, and they've not got a clue what they're doing.
.
May 1, 2023, 3:12 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum, IHG Diamond Elite Ambassador
Posts: 50
A bit depends on how you collect miles, for example domestic credit card spend with an ADCB Infinite card is 2 miles per USD. There are better ways to gain miles with the card, or combined with other promotions. And of course the extra benefits such as tier miles and status.
Etihad value 1 mile as 0.009 USD and as miles & cash is the main use for miles then you need a lot of miles to buy anything. GuestSeats are definitely the cheaper and best value for your miles.
ADCB Infinite is like a 1.8% cashback where your cash is in miles, if you only consider miles & cash.
Etihad value 1 mile as 0.009 USD and as miles & cash is the main use for miles then you need a lot of miles to buy anything. GuestSeats are definitely the cheaper and best value for your miles.
ADCB Infinite is like a 1.8% cashback where your cash is in miles, if you only consider miles & cash.
May 2, 2023, 7:48 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum, IHG Diamond Elite Ambassador
Posts: 50
A bit depends on how you collect miles, for example domestic credit card spend with an ADCB Infinite card is 2 miles per USD. There are better ways to gain miles with the card, or combined with other promotions. And of course the extra benefits such as tier miles and status.
Etihad value 1 mile as 0.009 USD and as miles & cash is the main use for miles then you need a lot of miles to buy anything. GuestSeats are definitely the cheaper and best value for your miles.
ADCB Infinite is like a 1.8% cashback where your cash is in miles, if you only consider miles & cash.
Etihad value 1 mile as 0.009 USD and as miles & cash is the main use for miles then you need a lot of miles to buy anything. GuestSeats are definitely the cheaper and best value for your miles.
ADCB Infinite is like a 1.8% cashback where your cash is in miles, if you only consider miles & cash.