Fly Smarter: 7 Paid Tickets Earn 1 Free One-Way Ticket

When it comes to group travel for Umrah or family trips, the cost can add up quickly. But did you know that traveling with Etihad Airways and leveraging their Etihad Guest Points can help you save significantly—or even earn free tickets? With a little planning and strategy, you can maximize your points and stretch your travel budget for a family or group trip.

Inspired by my research on DIY Umrah's FB Group, I noticed that many frequent Umrah travelers and families fly together. Upon comparing airline loyalty programs (as I’ll detail in my upcoming blog "Free Flights to Jeddah: A Comparison of Airline Loyalty Programs"), I found that Etihad Guest stands out as one of the most rewarding programs.

Not only does Etihad offer generous travel points, but travelers can also enjoy perks like Etihad’s Stopover Program in Abu Dhabi, which includes free hotel stays for up to two nights. This provides a fantastic opportunity to explore the UAE (including Dubai and Sharjah) for up to four days (though the additional two days are at your own expense).

Let’s break down how you can make the most of Etihad Guest Points  for your next group trip.

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The Scenario: 7 Paid Tickets Earn 1 Free One-Way Ticket

Imagine a family of 8 traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah on Etihad Airways. Each person books a round-trip ticket at MYR 3,500 under the ‘Comfort’ fare choice. Here's how the math works:

1. Earning Points Per Ticket

Your Etihad Guest Points are calculated as a percentage of the Ticketed Point Mileage (TPM)—the official distance between two cities. Below is an outline of how many points you can earn based on cabin class and fare choice:   
      

 For a round-trip Comfort fare, one passenger earns 6,750 points (3,375 × 2). 

2. Total Points for 7 Passengers

If 7 passengers book the ‘Comfort’ fare:

• Points earned per ticket: 6,750
• Total points for 7 passengers: 6,750 × 7 = 47,250 Etihad Guest Points

Using Etihad’s Family Membership Program, all points can be pooled into one account for easier redemption.

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3. Redeeming Free Tickets

To redeem a one-way Economy GuestSeat from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah, you’ll need 40,000 points.

With 47,250 points earned, this covers one one-way ticket and contributes to a partial redemption for the return ticket. Alternatively, during promotional periods, you might need even fewer points.

Pro Tip: Etihad often runs sales on GuestSeats, reducing required miles by up to 30%.

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4. Topping Up Points

If you're short on points, Etihad Guest allows you to buy additional points. For example:

• Cost of 1,000 points: USD 20 (~MYR 90)
• Example: If you need 5,000 points to top up, it would cost around USD 100 (~MYR 450).

This flexibility makes it easier to reach the miles required for redemption.

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5. Remaining Points

After redeeming one ticket, the leftover points (7,250) can go toward:

• Future flights
• Upgrades
• Rewards from the Etihad Reward Shop (hotel stays, gift cards, and more)

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Family Membership: Can Friends Be Included?

Etihad’s Family Membership Program allows you to pool points from up to 8 family members into a single account. However, friends cannot be added. If traveling with friends, each can earn points separately or explore Etihad’s Corporate Travel Program, which offers shared benefits for group travel.

Why Etihad Guest Stands Out

1. Generous Earnings: High point accrual rates, especially on higher fare classes.
2. Flexible Redemption: Use points for flights, upgrades, lounge access, or even merchandise.
3. Points Top-Up: Purchase additional points when you’re close to a redemption goal.
4. Promotional Offers: Regular discounts on miles and flights make redemption more affordable.
5. Family Pooling: Combine points to redeem tickets faster.

Tips to Maximize Etihad Guest Points

1. Plan Ahead: Book as early as possible, as GuestSeats have limited availability.
2. Sign Up for Promotions: Keep an eye on Etihad’s offers to earn bonus points or discounted redemptions.
3. Optimize Fare Choices: Choose fare classes that maximize your points while balancing cost.
4. Utilize Stopovers: Take advantage of Etihad’s free stopover in Abu Dhabi for extra value.
5. Use a Co-Branded Credit Card: Earn additional points on everyday purchases.

Conclusion

With strategic use of Etihad Guest Points group travel can be both cost-effective and rewarding. In the scenario above, 7 paid tickets could earn enough points to redeem 1 free one-way ticket while leaving room for future redemptions. Add in the ability to top up points, family pooling, and frequent promotions, and it’s clear that Etihad Airways  offers one of the best loyalty programs for group travel.

Ready to make your next Umrah or family trip more affordable? Start earning and redeeming Etihad Guest Points  today. Happy travels!

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog is based on research and current details available from Etihad Airways  and Etihad Guest programs. Mileage rates, redemption requirements, ticket availability, and promotional offers may vary and are subject to change. Travelers are encouraged to verify the latest details directly on the Etihad Guest website or through Etihad Airways' official channels before booking.

Additionally, please note that I am an affiliate for Etihad Airways  and Etihad Guest. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to book flights, redeem points, or participate in the Etihad Guest program through the links provided in this blog. Thank you for supporting my efforts to bring you valuable travel tips and insights!