Etihad Guest Making Some Big Changes, Reducing Award Rates

Executive Traveller: "Etihad Airways will roll out significant changes to its Etihad Guest loyalty program this year in a sweeping revamp which the Gulf carrier promises will make the scheme 'simpler, more rewarding and more personalised.'"

The changes are expected to launch in June of this year with most relating to how elite status is earned. While that's important for some road warriors who travel to/from/through the Middle East regularly, the part that matters to most award rates. According to Etihad, the economy and business class award rates to 70-80% of destinations will be reduced.

Points Wire Note:

Broadly speaking, Etihad Guest's award rates are awful whether you're flying economy, business, or first class. For years, they had some niche uses on partner airlines or even their own flights, but that changed last year when they heavily devalued their award charts. Yes, it was only March 2023 when they last changed their award rates - clearly, that didn't go well.

I'll be curious if any US routes see decreased award rates for business class and by how much. I could see them reducing economy rates but not business class and/or reducing business class rates by such a small rate that it doesn't really matter.

Given Etihad Guest's history, I'm not getting my hopes up but would love to be pleasantly surprised.