Battle of the Flyer Programs: Emirates Skywards vs Etihad Guest.

In the battle of frequent flyer memberships, some programs excel more than others. When both programs are from the same region, the comparisons may come naturally. So let’s battle this one out: Emirates Skywards vs Etihad Guest. Both of these programs are UAE-based and have competitive destinations. 

Emirates Skywards is the loyalty program of Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Etihad Guest is the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Emirates flies to 137 destinations, whilst Etihad flies to over 70 destinations. Both airlines are continuing to expand their destinations in the coming years.

How Do you Join?

Emirates	Etihad
Signing up is free and members can start earning points immediately. Sign up using their website.	Signing up is free and members can start earning points right away! Visit their website for a quick enrolment.

What Are Their Airline Partners?

Emirates and Etihad members have the privilege of booking flights with their airline partners and can also earn and redeem miles on these flights (subject to airline availability).

How Do You Earn Points?

Emirates	Etihad
1. Each time you fly with Emirates and their partner airlines. Miles are calculated based on the destination and cabin class.	Booking through airline partners with the EY flight number. Miles are calculated based on the distance flown and cabin class.
2. Hotels. By booking your stay through Emirates hotels you could earn 1 skywards mile for every $4US spent. Also booking through Emirates Skywards Hotels using your cobranded Emirates Skywards credit card could earn up to 10,000 Skywards miles per night. Signing up for Your World Rewards and linking it to your Skywards and Marriot Bonvoy account can earn you twice on flights and hotel stays. Other hotel partners include; 25hours hotels, ALL- Accor Live and Limited, Aloft hotels and more.	Hotels. Book a hotel through a range of hotel partners such as Booking.com, Agoda, Accor Live Limtless, Dust Hotels and Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, IHG, Marriott Bonvoy, Minor Hotel Group, RocketMiles, Rotana and Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. For a complete list of miles earned for each hotel, click here.
3. Skywards Everyday: download the app and link your existing VISA or Mastercard to start earning points at participating retailers and partners. Retailers include Mont Blac, Tag Heuer, Pret a Manger, Superdry and so much more.	Prepaid VISA – walletplus. Members must hold a UAE bank account to gather Etihad Guest miles.
4. Dubai Mall: Earn up to 1 Skywards Mile per USD 1 spent at Dubai Mall.
5. Other partners include The Bicester Collection, Arabian Adventures, ASmallWorld, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Official Store, Get Your Guide, Heathrow Rewards and Marhaba.	Shopping partners. Etihad has teamed up with Jewellery retailers such as Damas and Al Anwaar and luxury shopping village the Bicester Collection.
6. Skywards Miles Mall allows customers to shop through its online store and earn up to 129 Skywards Miles for every AUD 10 spent. Retailers include Adore Beauty, Sephora, Rebel Sport, Target and more! Members can also redeem miles to spend on gift cards across Australian brands.
7. Credit Cards. Commonwealth Bank transfers 5 of its award points to 1 Skywards Mile. American Express points can be converted to Skywards points. AMEX conversions differ from card to card.	Paying through credit and payment cards. Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, First Abu Dhabi Islamic Banking, Sri Card, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, ADCB Islamic Banking, Al Hilal Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank and Emirates NBD Bank have all teamed up with Etihad Guest members and offer generous points and sign up bonuses.
8. Car rentals such as CarTrawler, Avis, Budget and more.	Car Hire such as Avis and Budget. Earn up to 7.5 miles per $ 1 USD spent, plus up to 5000 bonus miles with Avis and Budget Car Hire.

What Tier’s Does Emirates Skywards and Etihad Guest Offer?

Emirates	Etihad
Blue- Sign-up tier.	Bonze – startup tier when joining the program.
Silver – Earn 25,000 miles or take 25 flights with Emirates or their partners.	Silver – 25,000 miles and maintaining 20,000 miles.  At least 10,000 miles must be earned from flying with Etihad or their partners.
Gold – 50,000 miles or take 50 flights.	Gold – 50,000 miles and maintaining 40,000 miles. At least 20,000 miles must be earned from flying.
Platinum – 150,000 miles or more and take one qualifying flight in first or business class.	Platinum – 125,000 miles and maintaining 100,000 miles. At least 40,000 miles must be earned from flying.
	Diamond – Spending $150 000 USD on Etihad Flights.

When Do Miles Expire?

Emirates	Etihad
Valid for three years and expires in the third year at the end of the member’s birth month. Emirates miles do not expire if a member holds a co-branded credit card or has Platinum Tier elite status. Earning or redeeming miles within the three years also does not renew the expiry.	Bronze, Silver and Gold Tier members have an 18-month expiry which can extended by flying with Etihad or any of their partners. Platinum and Diamond Tier member’s miles never expire.

What Is the Cost Of Buying Miles?

Emirates	Etihad
USD 30 for 1000 miles. Members can buy 100 000 for the blue and silver tier or 200 000 for Gold and Platinum tier status.	USD 20 per 1000 miles. Members can buy up to 100,000 miles per year and 150,000 if they are a Platinum member.

How Many Points Do I Need To Book A Flight?

As always this section does vary from tier status, destinations and cabin class. For this example, let’s search Sydney to Dubai for Emirates and Sydney to Abu Dhabi for Etihad. 

Emirates	Etihad
Sydney to Dubai 9:10 pm – 4:30 am Direct for 30,000 miles + AUD 353.06.	Sydney to Abu Dhabi Direct 9:30 pm – 5:00 am 60,000 miles + AUD 114.

Conclusion.

Both Emirates and Etihad are well reputable Frequent Flyer programs which offer their members amazing benefits. When deciding on which program is right for you it’s important to base this off your preferences and travel goals. Some people decide to have both frequent flyer programs to maximise their benefits. Overall, both programs provide members with a comprehensive loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with valuable benefits, privileges, and opportunities to earn and redeem points for travel and lifestyle rewards.

Blog That Travels xx