Etihad Guest usually runs bonus miles promotions from specific transfer partners, and this time, Citi Rewards in Australia are included, for Citi Prestige Mastercard cardholders only.
Whilst the 20% bonus isn’t the highest we’ve seen, it still represents good value if you were considering a redemption via Etihad Guest.
The current 20% transfer bonus offer
The two most useful programs for travellers based in Australia and New Zealand for this promotion are Citi Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (with its 5,000 bonus miles per 20,000-point transfer), but there are also hotel loyalty programs such as Hilton HHonors, IHG Rewards and Shangri-La Golden Circle. You can check the full list here.
Note that only Amex Membership Rewards accounts in the US are eligible.
There is a discrepancy between the promotion page’s header and terms and conditions in which there is confusion if the promotion ends on 30 or 31 October 2016, so transfer by the former to be sure.
It may take up to 15 days for bonus points to post, but will probably be less.
There is no registration required for this promotion.
Best uses of Etihad Guest miles
Etihad Guest redemptions on long-haul Etihad flights represent good value. The award chart is distance-based.
The luxurious First Apartment on the Airbus A380 flies between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, Melbourne, London, New York and Mumbai.
The Mumbai flight is the shortest one at three (or so) hours, but can be had for only 32,000 Etihad Guest miles.
The First Apartment
The following flights on partner airlines also get you good bang for your buck:
- Virgin Australia domestic, New Zealand and Pacific Islands flights
- American Airlines premium cabins at pre-March 2016 AAdvantage devaluation rates
- Business Class on Brussels Airlines within Europe and between Europe and North America
Summing up
As always, in this points game, point devaluations can be introduced with or without notice, so you should only transfer your points from flexible transfer programs like Citi Rewards and SPG to a specific frequent flyer program like Etihad Guest if you have a redemption in mind in the near future.
Note that Etihad Guest miles expire after 24 months.
Other Etihad Guest bonus offers
500 bonus Etihad Guest Miles for new accounts deal →
Etihad are also offering 500 miles for new members who join via this link, with the full offer page and details here.
Currently, you receive the 500 bonus miles after completing one earning activity but, effective 8 October 2017, that earn activity must be a flight with Etihad Airways, Air Serbia or Air Seychelles specifically.
Images courtesy of Etihad.
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I believe the promotion below is still active and offers a double sign up bonus of a 1,000 miles.
http://www.etihadguest.com/en/promotions/double-welcome-bonus/
cheers,
Other options…
1. Keep your Amex open. Why close it if you get to keep the points active? Could be worth paying a fee.
2. If you must close, you could transfer to KrisFlyer. You can always transfer from KrisFlyer to Velocity if you need Virgin Australia redemptions, paying the 35% transfer tax along the way. And Singapore Airlines have some usable good value flight redemptions from Europe – both to get back from Europe to Australia, or from Barcelona to Sao Paolo, or Frankfurt to New York.
3. General rule – probably transfer them where you know you’ll have most chance of using them. If you don’t know where that is, then consider alternatives.