Etihad Guest Program

[erik1]

just looked at it. As some of us are flying 2 or 3 times a year to Thailand it gets rather interesting to enroll

Based on UK-BKK

year 1: 500 free miles + 2 return in economy 13000 miles = 26500 miles (Silver status)

year 2 2 returns in economy silver status(16000 per return)= 32000 miles (Total miles for Gold is 50000 so a 3rd in a year makes it interesting)(refresh of silver is 20000 miles per year)

renewal of gold is 40000 per year (per return UK-BKK you get 19500 miles in Gold so you would stay in Gold just flying 2 times a year plus doing some partner program somewhere)

return ticket is 75000 miles and you earn miles on that ticket again. In the end buy 3 tickets as gold guest and you get the 4th ticket for 20% of the price (you can pay tickets with combination of cash and miles)

combined with the price of their tickets, I believe they are one of the better offers on the route (special offers not taken into consideration)

[faultytowers]

I've been telling people to sign up for a "Frequent Flyer" program for ages , I'm with Emirates and have just got my Gold Card. A couple of trips a year and the miles add up , plus there are usually a few "special offers" like extra miles for booking on-line.

Other factor to consider is that when you get "status" , Silver or Gold , you are much more likely to get upgraded.

Here is my post about this from my trip report.

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/249264-post38.html

[erik1]

you are absolutely right, just wanted to show people it with numbers. 75000 miles for a return to thailand is rather good. And it is working even if you fly 2 times a year as you will move to gold as soon as you use your cheap flight for the 3rd trip.

But indeed the programs in the end benefit you and upgrades are more frequent