SighMN
Junior Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2011
- Posts
- 41
I just got an email detailing changes for Etihad guest members:
- The amount of miles for redemption have been made consistant across the network to more fairly reflect their earning values. This means some routes will require more miles and some routes will require less miles
- More accessible upgrades
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As a person that travels in first class on Etihad a lot, I'm not really liking the business to first upgrade for everyone (even though a lot of people could upgrade at the airport anyway). I'm afraid this may make the first class cabin a bit more crowded, as right now they are generally 50% full. The Etihad flight attendants have a lot of responsibility because of the dine anytime menu, so full first class cabins may be much more demanding and service levels may drop.
I am glad they are lowing upgrade miles though. I always thought Etihad upgrades were very pricey compared to other airlines (a lot of them almost near the cost of award tickets!) Hopefully the are more in line with other airlines.
Its nice that members with just Etihad Guest membership get a benefit with baggage. I haven't seen many perks like that with other airline frequent flier programs.
It will also be interesting to see how they change the award bookigs. Right now the only viable option to use Etihad guest miles is to make sure there is "Guest seat" available which is a discounted award seat. The unrestricted seats are hugely expensive in terms of miles, but you can always reduce that mileage requirement with some cash.
- The amount of miles for redemption have been made consistant across the network to more fairly reflect their earning values. This means some routes will require more miles and some routes will require less miles
- More accessible upgrades
- All upgrades will require less miles from October 8 2011
- All economy fares are eligible for upgrade to pearl business for tickets purchased from August 1 2010
- Everyone despite their status with Etihad Guest can upgrade from business to first from October 8 2011
- Miles will expire for Etihad Guest members in 2 years (down from 3 years)
- Miles will expire for Silver Etihad Guest members in 2.5 years (down from 3 years)
- Miles will expire for Gold/Gold Elite Etihad Guest members in 3 years (unchanged)
- Etihad Guest members can check-in 5 kilograms more than before
- Silver/Gold/Gold Elite - Baggage allowances are unchanged (10 kgs/15 kgs/20 kgs respectively)
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As a person that travels in first class on Etihad a lot, I'm not really liking the business to first upgrade for everyone (even though a lot of people could upgrade at the airport anyway). I'm afraid this may make the first class cabin a bit more crowded, as right now they are generally 50% full. The Etihad flight attendants have a lot of responsibility because of the dine anytime menu, so full first class cabins may be much more demanding and service levels may drop.
I am glad they are lowing upgrade miles though. I always thought Etihad upgrades were very pricey compared to other airlines (a lot of them almost near the cost of award tickets!) Hopefully the are more in line with other airlines.
Its nice that members with just Etihad Guest membership get a benefit with baggage. I haven't seen many perks like that with other airline frequent flier programs.
It will also be interesting to see how they change the award bookigs. Right now the only viable option to use Etihad guest miles is to make sure there is "Guest seat" available which is a discounted award seat. The unrestricted seats are hugely expensive in terms of miles, but you can always reduce that mileage requirement with some cash.
