It is March 10, and as anticipated, Etihad Visitor has unveiled a brand new award chart with normal pricing for all its associate airways. By doing so, it has eliminated all of its former candy spots.
This is what you could learn about Etihad Visitor redemptions.
Goodbye, candy spots — and do not rely on revealed award costs
Etihad Visitor has revealed its new base award charges right here.
You may discover that every associate has similar award charges. Nevertheless, Etihad’s personal are barely totally different, although we’re nonetheless seeing the identical dynamically priced Etihad awards to the Center East. In some instances, costs for the provider’s first-class cabin are nonetheless at greater than one million miles.
However the true information is that Etihad has considerably devalued many associate awards. Just a few months in the past, I redeemed 62,500 Etihad Visitor miles to fly American Airways Flagship First from Los Angeles to Sydney. Now, that very same flight would price 200,000 miles — greater than triple the previous value.
We have been additionally huge followers of the 44,000-mile Brussels Airways business-class candy spot from Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) and New York’s John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Brussels Airport (BRU). As you will have guessed, that is additionally gone — now, you may have to spend 80,000 miles one-way, which is greater than what Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles and even United MileagePlus cost for this award.
Bear in mind the times of 25,000 miles for American’s transcontinental Flagship First? Adieu to that one, too. This flight ought to price 80,000 miles, in keeping with Etihad’s award calculator; nonetheless, if you attempt to guide this flight, you might discover a totally different value.
As you’ll be able to see, Etihad has even gone so far as to cost 90,001 miles for this route. By charging 90,001 miles as a substitute of 90,000 miles, you are caught transferring 91,000 bank card factors to this system.
Hopefully, that is merely a glitch with the launch of the brand new program, however it’s however irritating.
Join our every day e-newsletter
Associated: 9 superb first-class seats you’ll be able to nonetheless guide with factors and miles
You possibly can guide American Airways and Virgin Australia awards on-line
The one (small) constructive of this variation is that choose companions at the moment are bookable on-line. Beforehand, you wanted to name Etihad Visitor to guide associate flights. That is nonetheless the case for many of its companions, nonetheless, now you can view real-time award area on Virgin Australia and American Airways and guide these two associate awards on-line.
Granted, that is solely two of Etihad’s 20 companions, and it does little to erase the sting of the huge award chart adjustments. Hopefully, we’ll see extra companions added sooner or later, however even then, it’ll not often be finest to guide with Etihad Visitor given the brand new pricing construction.
Associated: The last word information to Etihad companions
Backside line
Etihad Visitor has made important adjustments to its redemptions. This system’s ample candy spots at the moment are gone with the brand new standardized award chart. Sadly, it is wanting like Etihad Visitor is now not the pleasant American Specific Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards factors forex it was.