Etihad is now selling Economy passengers empty seats on its flights
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A friend of mine who is about to fly Etihad sent me an interesting offer he had received.
Etihad is offering him the ability to bid to ‘buy’ empty seats around him. The minimum bid, for an Abu Dhabi to Heathrow sector, was:
- £50 to get an empty seat next to him
- £100 to be seated alone on a row of three economy seats
- £150 to be seated alone on a centre row of four economy seat
This is not as bad a deal for Etihad as you might think. An empty seat pays no Air Passenger Duty (although none was due in this case) or airport taxes, does not eat or drink and does not bring any luggage.
It does, however, send a message about Etihad’s anticipated economy load factors.
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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.
