With the big three US carriers awarding redeemable miles based on how much you spend rather than how much you fly, this has opened up some arbitrage opportunities for crediting miles. The number of miles you earn for a given ticket on an airline can vary drastically based on which program you credit to. That’s true now more than ever, with how American, Delta, and United award miles.
The best way to keep track of your choices for where to credit flights is wheretocredit.com, where you can enter the airline and fare class, and it will show you all the programs you can credit flights to. For example, in the case of American, AAdvantage members earn 5-11x miles per dollar spent, depending on their status.
Those on the cheapest economy fares have been earning the fewest miles under the AAdvantage program, which is why in some cases it has made sense to instead credit to partner airlines. At least that’s true if you’re an occasional flyer and not going for status with American.
Most of American’s partners have awarded fewer than 100% redeemable miles for the cheapest economy fares, though one of only two exceptions has been Etihad Guest (with the other being Finnair Plus).
Well, unfortunately it looks like Etihad Guest has reduced mileage earning for many American economy fares. Here are the new Etihad Guest mileage earning rates for travel on American:
Most significantly:
- Mileage earning on V & C fares has been cut by 25%
- Mileage earning on N & S fares has been cut by 50%
- Mileage earning on Q & O fares has been cut by 75%
The great thing about Etihad Guest was that you could credit American flights to them and earn 100% of the miles, and then top off the account with points transfers, given that they’re partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, and Starwood Preferred Guest.
The great value that hasn’t changed (yet) is the ability to redeem Etihad Guest miles for premium cabin travel on American at lucrative rates. Last March American devalued their award chart and greatly increased the number of miles required for premium cabin awards. However, you can continue to redeem Etihad miles on American at the following rates:
If only American made more saver level award seats available on their own flights…
Did anyone consistently credit the miles from American flights to Etihad Guest?
(Tip of the hat to View from the Wing)
Qatar QMiles are also now ridiculously worthless. The Qatar Airways "Privilege" card - even if you obtain Platinum level, offers pathetically good rewards.
what debit said.
Etihad miles are not that useful.
I did.