Because somehow Etihad’s problem is that they aren’t gouging members enough with fuel surcharges… as opposed to massively failed investments in foreign carriers like air berlin and Alitalia, and overexpansion on their own…
They’re letting members know about tinkering with the program coming up — changes to lounge access, mileage earning, and redemption prices — but they don’t let members know the actual award chart changes which is how you know they won’t be good.
Americans care because Etihad Guest is an American Express and Citibank transfer partner.
In a member email they’re describing changes as “to support the continued growth and evolution of your Etihad Guest membership” with a goal of ensuring the program “remain[s] attractive and competitive.”
When frequent flyer programs make changes to remain competitive that’s code for saying other programs are devaluing so there’s no longer a competitor-driven reason to spend as much on members.
There are changes happening a month from now, and changes happening in January. The changes effective in October are minor or even modestly positive. Not so for the January changes.
- Tier Validity “Etihad Guest Members who gain Silver, Gold or Platinum Tier status will now have 1 year to enjoy and retain these benefits.”
- 500 Welcome Bonus Miles will be valid if first activity is a flight with Etihad Airways, Air Serbia or Air Seychelles only. Other first activity eliminates the 500 bonus mile potential. And note that failing Etihad Airways Partners air berlin and Alitalia aren’t included here.
- Golds get business class lounge access in Abu Dhabi if flying Etihad operated flights.
- Full fare premium fares earn more miles “For fare class “J” in Business will go to 200% and fare class “F” in First will go to 275%.”
Effective January 15, however:
- Award chart changes They say saver awards “will decrease on certain routes and increase on others to keep our fares competitive.” But they don’t tell us which awards or by how much. Upgrades will become more expensive.
- Increased surcharge on premium cabin award redemption $50 more each way “across some of our Business and First Class routes.”
This doesn’t make Etihad Guest a better program.
Airlines are organized. Passengers are disorganized. They try to cut down each other to score a better deal. The airlines have no problem using the pssengers greed top use against each other and the passengers deserve it too.
Devaluation or not, mile hoarders will still feel cheap, anyway. Its hurt to true frequent flyers who paid for their tickets.
These changes are not being made to remain “competitive.” Just the opposite. They are being being made to remain non-competitive, i.e. matching devaluations of other programs. Amazing how companies twist words assuming our mental capacity is too small to see their true intentions.