Etihad Guest launches 'Saver Award'

Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways' loyalty programme, is taking a decisive step towards a simpler and more generous rewards experience. The most obvious change is GuestSeat's rebrand into the "Saver Award", the most convenient gateway to redeem tickets with miles. But the real turning point is another: every seat on board - in all cabins and on every Etihad flight - becomes purchasable with miles, with differentiated levels of flexibility to adapt to different needs and budgets.

The idea is clear: to eliminate the feeling of "hunt for the prize" typical of traditional programs and align reward rates with commercial rates for structure and transparency. For travellers, this means they can choose not only how many miles they want to spend, but also how much freedom they want to have in the event of a change or cancellation, all the way up to the fully refundable option. A logic that makes the use of miles more predictable and, above all, more useful in planning.

Then there is the network. The Saver Awards don't stop at Etihad flights: they can also be redeemed at over 26 partner airlines, the largest constellation of collaborations for a non-global alliance airline. And the family is growing: Hong Kong Airlines will soon enter the perimeter, after the agreement signed to coincide with the start of the Hong Kong-Abu Dhabi route. For members, practical translation is a wider range of destinations and itinerary combinations, with a richer and more distributed availability of award seats.

Another expected novelty concerns the status: with the Comfort and Deluxe award fares , Tier Miles begin to accrue, from 25% to 50% depending on the cabin. It's a tangible incentive because it shortens the way to the higher levels of the program without sacrificing mileage savings. In Business Comfort and Business Deluxe, moreover, a service plus that makes the difference on arrival debuts: the free Etihad Chauffeur transfer throughout the United Arab Emirates, for all members, regardless of tier.

Also designed for those living in the UAE, the renewal touches on co-brand credit card vouchers: they can now be used on all fare families, expanding use cases and multiplying travel opportunities. It is a piece that improves the overall value of the program, especially for those who alternate long-haul regional routes.

In terms of experience, the logic is that of tailor-made flexibility. Those looking for the minimum use of miles can orient themselves on the Saver Awards, those who prefer safety and freedom of replanning can select higher levels with more generous refund policies. Everything remains exclusive to Etihad Guest members, who can book on etihad.com, via apps, contact centres and partner agencies.