Etihad Airways plans to revamp in June 2024 its Etihad guest loyalty program, the carrier announced Thursday.
One significant change is the removal of “tier segments,” which will be converted to “tier miles” in order to create “a simpler way for guests to track their progress to the next level,” according to the carrier. The number of tier miles needed to attain or retain a status level will remain the same.
Another change, however, is that at least a portion of the tier miles needed to retain status will need to be earned through flying on Etihad or a partner airline, as opposed to non-flying methods like credit card spend or retail-partner spend. Members will now need 10,000 miles from flying to retain Silver status, 20,000 for Gold status and 40,000 for Platinum status.
There also will be a new Diamond tier above Platinum, which will require Platinum status plus at least $150,000 in spend over a rolling 12-month period on flights with Etihad. Platinum-level members also now will earn 100 percent “guest bonus miles” on eligible flights flown on Etihad or an airline partner, up from 75 percent.
In addition to the core benefits that come with each status level, Etihad is adding “custom benefits” to each level, including options like lounge access, carbon offset vouchers and complimentary chauffeur service. Silver members will be able to choose two custom benefits, Gold will get four and Platinum five. Gold and Platinum members also will be able to gift some benefits.
