Emirates Skywards or Etihad Guest loyalty schemes.Which is more generous?

Posted on October 20th, 2011. Written by bookingbusinesstravel.

Emirates fly to Dubai, and Etihad to Abu Dhabi, at similar fare levels.
I was recently asked how their individual traveller loyalty schemes compare.
The Etihad Guest Account is a clear winner, whether you are a Pearl, Silver or Gold member.

Emirates Skwards Blue Account

Heathrow-Dubai Business Class earns 7,500 miles (discounted air fare)
And a free reward flight will cost 90,000 miles.
Let’s say that the average discount Emirates fare on the Airbus service costs £2,800
That’s approximately 3p per mile.

Therefore the miles earned on a return booking represents a value of £225

There is a Skywards mileage calculator here:

Etihad Guest Account:

Heathrow-Abu Dhabi earns approximately 10,277 miles for a Pearl member, 11,932 for Silver and 13,636 Gold member
A reward flight costs 87,851 miles
Take the average discounted fare of £2,800
That’s approximately 3.2p per mile and the reward value for a return ticket equates to:

Normal Etihad Guest: £328, Silver Member £381, Gold Member £436