Etihad Guest has rolled out what it's calling its best buy-miles promotion of 2026, and on paper the numbers look tempting. Between November 12 and November 22 (GST), members can buy miles with a tiered bonus: 30% on purchases of 1,000-9,000 miles, 40% on 10,000-49,000, and 60% on 50,000-200,000. Buy at the top tier and you're effectively paying two cents per mile, down from Etihad's standard rate of 3.2 cents, with no extra fees. Max out the promo and you'd get 320,000 miles for $6,400.

So is it a bargain? By this year's standards, yes — previous 2026 offers topped out at 50% bonuses or 35% discounts, never dipping below about 2.08 cents per mile. But there's an honest caveat: Etihad isn't known for aggressive mile sales, and even the 'best offer of the year' sits well above a conservative one-cents-per-mile valuation. Most frequent flyer watchers say this is only worth it with a specific redemption already in mind.

That said, there are real reasons to hold Etihad Guest miles. The programme sees more Etihad award space than partner schemes like American AAdvantage or Flying Blue, which only get a slice of premium cabin availability. And if The Residence — Etihad's famously over-the-top A380 apartment — is on your bucket list, the ticket must be issued through Etihad Guest. Saver pricing is reasonable when you find it: one-way business class starts at 15,000 miles for short hops and runs to 120,000 miles for journeys beyond 6,001 miles, with partner awards priced on a separate distance-based chart.

Before buying, know the catches. Miles post within roughly 72 hours and don't count toward elite status. Purchases are capped at 200,000 miles per account per year (300,000 for Platinum members), and they're processed by points.com, so they won't code as an airfare on your credit card — use a card where the spend actually helps you, like hitting a minimum spend. Etihad also has punishing change and cancellation policies on awards, and a strict expiry rule: you need to credit a flight to your account every 18 months to keep miles alive. Cash-back alternatives exist too, with Bilt, Capital One and Citi ThankYou all transferring to Etihad Guest at 1:1 from the US.

The verdict for most travellers: skip it unless you've priced out a specific award — say an A380 business or first class seat from Abu Dhabi to Europe or beyond — and confirmed saver space is actually there. Points enthusiasts chasing The Residence are the obvious audience. Everyone else should let the two cents pass by.