How do I earn Etihad Guest Silver Tier status?

This post outlines the steps you need to take to get Etihad Guest Silver Tier status. 

Silver is one of four tiers in the Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways. The four tiers of the Etihad Guest programme are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The Bronze Tier is the entry-level tier available to anyone joining the programme. 

Silver is the lowest of the three elite tiers, offering some benefits and perks. Gold and Platinum are elite tiers with extra benefits and privileges.

Explaining Guest Miles vs Tier Miles

Members of Etihad Guest collect both Guest Miles and Tier Miles. Guest Miles can be redeemed to book reward flights on Etihad Airways and up to 22 partner airlines. 

Using Guest Miles for shopping, car rental and hotel booking is also possible. However, this is rarely of good value, and I only recommend using them for flights. 

Meanwhile, Tier Miles are solely used to determine elite status within Etihad Guest. Elite status provides additional travel benefits such as free seat selection, lounge access and excess baggage allowances. 

How many Tier Miles do you need for Silver?  

To attain Silver Tier status, you need to either: 

• Earn 25,000 Tier Miles over a rolling 12-month period, or
• Fly 20 Tier segments in one 12-month period  

Qualifying flights are: 

• Any Etihad Airways-operated flights 
• Certain flights on a handful of partner airlines also earn Tier Miles and Tier Segments. The four airlines are; Air Serbia, Virgin Australia, Gulf Air and Saudia. 

How are Tier Miles and Tier Segments calculated? 

Tier Segments are calculated based on a combination of cabin and distance flown. Business Class flights earn a 50% bonus vs Economy. While First Class earns a 100% bonus vs Economy

For example, on a flight between Abu Dhabi and London Heathrow, you will earn the following Tier Miles in each cabin: 

• 3404 Tier Miles in Economy 
• 5105 Tier Miles in Business 
• 6808 Tier Miles in First 

You need four return flights between Abu Dhabi and London in Economy to earn Silver status.

Tier segments are calculated based on the cabin flown regardless of distance. You will earn one tier segment in Economy, 2 tier segments in Business and 3 tier segments in First. 

You would need ten return flights in Economy or five return flights in Business to earn Silver status.

Check the Etihad Guest Miles calculator to confirm how many Tier Miles and Tier Segments you earn on a particular flight.  

Unfortunately, Etihad Guest redemption bookings will not earn any tier points. However, part pay with miles should earn Guest Miles and Tier Miles. 

Maintaining status is easier

Tier status is valid for one year from the month of the Tier upgrade, plus an additional two bonus months.

Keeping status is easier once you have earned it the first time, as the thresholds to renew are lower. To maintain Silver status, you will need: 

• 20,000 Tier Miles in a rolling 12-month period, or 
• Fly 15 Tier segments in a rolling 12-month period 

Fast-track to Etihad Guest Silver Tier status with a credit card 

An alternative route to Silver status is with an Etihad Guest co-brand credit card. Eight credit cards issued to UAE residents include complimentary Silver status as a perk. There is usually a minimum spend or flying requirement to trigger the benefits. The list of cards and requirements can be found in this post. 

What are the benefits of Etihad Guest Silver? 

Once you fulfil the requirements above, you will be upgraded to Silver. Silver Tier has some decent perks despite being the lowest level of ‘elite’ status. These are: 

In addition to the benefits of Bronze status, you will receive the following perks as a Silver card holder: 

• Earn 25% Bonus Etihad Guest Miles on Etihad Airways flights and a handful of airline partners 
• Access to a priority check-in counter at Abu Dhabi Airport and use of Business Class check-in counters at other airports
• Reserve one standard economy seat for free
• 30% off the cost of one Extra Legroom seat 
• Access to the Business Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH) for self-only 
• Complimentary excess baggage allowance (10 kgs on weight routes and one extra bag on piece concept routes)  

A detailed post exploring Etihad Guest Silver Tier’s perks and benefits can be found here.

Which airlines offer benefits to Etihad Guest elites?

Etihad Airways is not part of a global airline alliance, so you do not automatically get elite benefits on a collection of other airlines. However, there are a handful of airline partners that do recognise Etihad Guest Tier status. The full details of which airlines offer benefits to Etihad Guest elites can be found here.   

Going for Gold

Once you have attained Silver, the next step up is Gold Tier, the sweet spot in the Etihad Guest programme. Read about how to get Etihad Guest Gold Status here. Read about the benefits of Etihad Guest Gold status here.