Etihad Guest is the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE. Understanding its mileage expiration rules, including exceptions for elite members, is important for maximizing value.
Etihad Guest Miles Expiration Policy
For general Etihad Guest members (Bronze and Silver tiers), miles expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Inactivity means no miles have been earned or redeemed during that period.
Elite Status Exception: A key benefit for Etihad Guest Gold and Platinum members is that their miles do not expire for as long as they maintain their Gold or Platinum status. If a member drops below Gold status, the standard 18-month inactivity clock will start from that point if there's no subsequent activity.
How to Keep Your Etihad Guest Miles Active (Bronze/Silver Members)
For members without Gold or Platinum status, keeping miles active requires at least one qualifying transaction every 18 months:
- Earn Miles:
- Fly with Etihad Airways or its partner airlines.
- Use an Etihad Guest co-branded credit card (availability varies by region).
- Transfer points from flexible currency partners: American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, or Capital One Miles.
- Earn miles through hotel stays, car rentals, retail partners, or other non-airline partners associated with Etihad Guest.
- Redeem Miles:
- Book reward flights ("GuestSeats" or "OpenSeats") on Etihad or partner airlines.
- Redeem miles for upgrades, lounge access, extra baggage, or items from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.
- Donate miles to charity.
Any single qualifying earning or redemption activity will reset the 18-month expiration clock for Bronze and Silver members.
Official Policy
For the most accurate and detailed information, including the specifics for elite tiers, always consult the official Etihad Guest documentation:
- Etihad Guest Terms and Conditions (Look for sections on mileage validity, expiration, and tier benefits)
While Gold and Platinum members enjoy non-expiring miles, Bronze and Silver members need to ensure activity every 18 months to keep their Etihad Guest miles valid.
Disclaimer: Always use credit responsibly. Program terms and conditions, including elite status benefits and expiration rules, can change. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Verify details directly with Etihad Airways.