Airlines

Etihad Visitor Award Modifications Coming March 2023

Some modifications are coming to the Etihad Visitor program as of March 2023. There’s undoubtedly some excellent news, although there’s most definitely additionally some (very) dangerous information.

Etihad Visitor creating zone based mostly award chart

Etihad Visitor has despatched an e-mail to members, informing them of award pricing modifications as of March 10, 2023. Per the e-mail, Etihad will introduce a simplified zone based mostly award chart for journey on Etihad Airways and companions, whereby pricing would be the similar no matter which airline you fly. Right here’s how that is described:

We want to inform you {that a} simplified redemption fee will likely be utilized ranging from 10 March 2023. The charges will likely be based mostly on zones throughout Etihad Airways and our airline companions, for instance there will likely be one redemption fee for any vacation spot in Europe.

For context, at the moment award pricing for journey on Etihad varies by route, after which every associate airline has its personal award chart, with a mixture of distance and route based mostly pricing. Whereas the present system is reasonably complicated, this does lead to some nice candy spots. For instance, there are some wonderful award redemption values on companions like American Airways and Royal Air Maroc.

Whereas having a simplified award chart objectively is smart (the present system is unnecessarily difficult), I can’t think about this will likely be excellent news when it comes to a few of the higher redemption values which can be at the moment accessible. The large query is simply how dangerous the pricing modifications will likely be. Admittedly this may most likely be a combined bag, as I’m certain the pricing modifications received’t be totally constructive or detrimental, relying on the route.

Etihad is simplifying award pricing, together with on associate airways

Etihad Visitor making associate awards bookable on-line

Right here’s the good information. As of March 10, 2023, will probably be doable to e book award flights on American Airways and Virgin Australia instantly on Etihad’s web site. At the moment it’s worthwhile to e book all associate awards by cellphone, which will be an journey, to place it mildly.

Different associate awards received’t be accessible on-line in the meanwhile, and can nonetheless solely be bookable by cellphone. Etihad is upgrading its passenger service system in March, so you’ll be able to anticipate that this system will likely be down March 8-9, 2023, because the modifications are made that can enable this to be doable.

Whereas Etihad has nice award pricing on American, many individuals keep away from redeeming Etihad Visitor miles this fashion, given the reserving course of. It’s good that this may lastly be doable, although it’s anybody’s guess what pricing will likely be like.

Redeeming Etihad miles on American is usually a nice deal

Backside line

Proper now there are extra questions than solutions, however modifications are coming to the Etihad Visitor program as of March 10, 2023. Etihad will introduce a brand new simplified zone based mostly award chart throughout its personal flights and companions. Pricing will not differ based mostly on the precise route or associate. On prime of that, Etihad will roll out its first on-line associate redemptions, as American and Virgin Australia awards will likely be bookable by etihad.com.

Whereas some associate awards being bookable on-line is nice information, and whereas an easier award chart is theoretically a constructive improvement, I can’t think about we’ll see favorable modifications to award pricing. So if there are any candy spots you need to lock in, I’d suggest doing so within the coming weeks.

What do you make of those Etihad Visitor modifications?

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