Main modifications are being made to the Etihad Visitor program. Whereas a few of the modifications are constructive, there are additionally some adverse developments, like Etihad introducing a ridiculous new award cancelation coverage. That’s not the one adverse change, although, as Etihad can be worsening its mileage expiration coverage.
Etihad Visitor miles expire after 18 months with no flight
As of June 2024, Etihad Visitor is introducing a brand new mileage expiration coverage. Etihad Visitor miles will probably be legitimate for a interval of 18 months, and that validity can solely be prolonged for those who take a flight with Etihad or a companion airline.
As some extent of comparability, underneath the present coverage, Etihad Visitor miles expire after 18 months, however any mileage exercise can lengthen the expiration of these miles. In different phrases, you might switch over 1,000 factors from a bank card companion, purchase some Etihad Visitor miles, and many others., and that might stop your miles from expiring.
It’s attention-grabbing to see this alteration, as a result of in 2020, Etihad Visitor improved its mileage expiration coverage. Previous to that, miles expired 24 months after they had been earned, no matter any account exercise. I’d a lot somewhat have miles legitimate for 18 months with a straightforward extension, than have a tough expiration of 24 months.
However the sample right here is unusual — first Etihad Visitor improved its mileage expiration coverage, and now it’s worsening it.
This Etihad Visitor change appears brief sighted
The change to the Etihad Visitor mileage expiration coverage puzzles me. Airline loyalty applications will be a good way to interact vacationers — members with mileage balances usually tend to fly with that airline, and there are many extra ways in which loyalty applications can revenue off of individuals being engaged members.
The factor is, an 18-month expiration coverage is absolutely tough, when the one technique to lengthen these miles is to fly with the airline. Etihad is primarily a protracted haul airline, and there are many individuals who would possibly fly with the airline each couple of years, touring from Australia to Europe, for instance.
With this alteration, Etihad Visitor is now not this system for these sorts of vacationers, as their miles might very nicely expire between journeys. This simply appears counterproductive, and additional incentivizes individuals to credit score Etihad flights to companion frequent flyer applications.
Backside line
Only a few years after enhancing its mileage expiration coverage, Etihad is now worsening it. Miles will nonetheless expire after 18 months of inactivity. Nonetheless, beforehand any mileage exercise would lengthen the expiration of miles, whereas now solely flying will lengthen the expiration.
I’ve been so impressed by the route that Etihad has been heading lately, although a few of these Etihad Visitor modifications are an actual head-scratcher.
What do you make of Etihad Visitor’s new mileage expiration coverage?
