Etihad launches a ‘Gold for Gold’ status match

Etihad, the Abu Dhabi airline, has launched a status match scheme aimed at members of competing frequent flyer programmes.

I will list the details below. However, it is important to be aware of a few key points before applying:

Etihad is not in a major airline alliance. Etihad Guest Gold will not therefore be much use to you unless you are flying Etihad on a regular basis.

There are only 500 matches available. Based on the last time they ran this, they do NOT allocate them on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. They look through the applications and award matches to the 500 people with the best combinations of relevant current programme (BA Gold would likely trump US Airways Gold) and flight activity.

If you want to give it a go, this is what you must do (see here for the full benefits you get as an Etihad Gold member):

Dear Sir

Do you have a gold or a higher tier card with another airline?

Etihad Guest is delighted to offer a complimentary Etihad Guest Gold card to members who currently hold a gold or a higher tier card with another airline loyalty programme. Simply send through the below documents and we will offer you an Etihad Guest Gold card for free.

Scanned copy of the gold or a higher tier card with another airline

Scanned copy of the latest miles statement with another airline

Etihad Guest membership number

Make sure you send these documents to guesttiermatch@etihad.ae before 18 June 2013. Remember, this offer is limited to the first 500 eligible members only, so send your details now and go for gold with Etihad Guest.

Special Offer: When you get upgraded to Etihad Guest Gold, you will receive triple Etihad Guest Miles on all flights in Diamond First Class and double Etihad Guest Miles on all flights in Pearl Business Class for a limited period. With this exciting offer, when you travel on a return ticket between London and Sydney in Diamond First Class, you can earn enough miles to redeem a one-way Diamond First Class ticket between London and Sydney. More details will be provided in the confirmation mail.

Warm regards,
The Etihad Guest Team

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How to earn Etihad Guest miles from UK credit cards (April 2025)

Etihad Guest does not have a UK credit card.  However, you can earn Etihad Guest miles by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

Cards earning Membership Rewards points include:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 20,000 Etihad Guest miles. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 50,000 Etihad Guest miles.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 10,000 Etihad Guest miles. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 1:1 into Etihad Guest miles which is an attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 1 Etihad Guest mile.

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card earns double points (2 per £1) on all flights you charge to it, not just with Etihad but with any airline.