Etihad, Alitalia etc aligning loyalty schemes, and an airberlin (oneworld) status match

Etihad announced on Tuesday that it is launching the long-awaited alignment of the frequent flyer schemes of eight of the Etihad Airways Parners airlines:  Etihad Airways, airberlin, Alitalia, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Etihad Regional, Jet Airways and NIKI.

Virgin Australia is not included, at least not for now.

The aim is to make the tier benefits of each programme equal.  This is leading to winners and losers depending on which programme you are in.

The main losers so far appear to be Etihad Guest Silver members who no longer get lounge access except in Abu Dhabi, Belgrade and Seychelles.

These changes are already in effect as of Tuesday this week.  The only exception is the lounge access change for Etihad Silver members which does not come into effect until 15th January.

You can see a list of the benefits by Silver, Gold and Platinum tier here.

And service alignment too ….

Interestingly, Etihad has gone a step further than any of the traditional airline alliances (oneworld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam) and has set common service standards for long-haul Business Class.

Whichever Etihad Airways Partner airline you fly long haul, you will receive:

• a guaranteed fully-flat bed
• ‘dine on demand’ meal service
• the same range of new release films, so you can pick up a film you started on a different carrier

This doesn’t sound like much but it is more than the big three alliances have managed over the last 17 years.

The big question now is when the inevitable clash between Etihad Airways Partners and oneworld / SkyTeam breaks out.  With Etihad Airways Partners now operating in the same way as the major alliances, how can airberlin retain its oneworld membership or Alitalia remain in SkyTeam?

airberlin status match available again

As long as they do, status with airberlin or Alitalia becomes incredibly valuable as it gets you benefits with two alliances.

airberlin has relaunched its status match for residents of certain countries although the UK is not included.

You must live in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway or the USA.  Note that “Customers with residence in the US must prove a booking confirmation incl. booking number of an airberlin long haul flight between US and Europe (return ticket). This flight must be operated by airberlin and take place in 2016.“

You can claim your airberlin status match here.  Remember that the status will be valid on British Airways as airberlin is a oneworld member.

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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.