Last chance: Spend £800 with Etihad and get 15,000 Membership Rewards points

Back in September, Etihad launched an ‘opt in’ offer with American Express.

Whilst it wasn’t the first time we’ve seen Etihad work with Amex, it was the first time we had seen it offer a Membership Rewards points bonus rather than a percentage discount or cash reward.

You’ll get 15,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend £800+ online at Etihad. Membership Rewards points can be converted into Avios, Virgin Points and various other airline and hotel schemes and should be worth at least £150 if used smartly.

Whilst we only gave it a passing mention, it was hugely popular with readers. In fact, Etihad got in touch with us because it couldn’t understand why HfP was sending it so much business!

Time is running out because the offer ends on 7th November 2024. Bookings must be made via the Etihad website.

What I think readers liked about this deal is that you could – in effect – earn 15,000 Avios (if you converted the Membership Rewards points) by spending £800 on an Etihad flight!

What’s amusing is that:

• you wouldn’t earn anything near to 15,000 Avios by spending £800 on a British Airways flight – a non-status member would only earn around 4,000 Avios on BA!

• Etihad is a better airline, overall, than British Airways so you get a better quality trip, albeit with an aircraft change in Abu Dhabi

• Etihad flights are generally cheaper than British Airways because of the need to change aircraft

You can see our review of Etihad’s Business Studio on the A380 here. I am a big fan of it, as well as Etihad’s onboard catering and new Armani/Casa bedding.

As the bonus is paid in Membership Rewards points, you won’t see this offer on any of the co-brand American Express cards. Assuming that it hasn’t hit the registration cap, you would see it on Gold, Platinum and Amex Rewards (ARCC) cards only.

If you don’t see it available for registration, check that you didn’t save it back in September and that it isn’t under ‘Saved Offers’. You don’t get the bonus if you are not registered for the offer.

You can check out pricing and routes on the Etihad site here. You need to book by 7th November.

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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.