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Ethiopian ShebaMiles and Etihad Guest link up — earn and burn across both airlines

From 28 October 2025, ShebaMiles and Etihad Guest members earn and redeem miles on each other's flights. Indian bank points reach both programmes, so miles in either account can now be spent on both airlines.

What changed

Changed

Partner change · Ethiopian Airlines

Before

No frequent-flyer partnership between ShebaMiles and Etihad Guest

After

ShebaMiles and Etihad Guest members earn miles on each other's flights and redeem across both networks, on top of the codeshare launched in July 2025

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Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines launched a reciprocal frequent-flyer partnership on 28 October 2025. Etihad Guest and ShebaMiles members now earn miles on either airline and can redeem them across both networks.

It is the third step in a year. The two airlines signed a joint venture in March 2025, started a codeshare in July, and Etihad flew to Addis Ababa for the first time on 8 October. The loyalty link came three weeks later.

Why it matters in India: both programmes take Indian bank points.

IntoFrom
Ethiopian ShebaMilesAxis EDGE Miles 1:2 · SBI Travel Credits 2:1 · Axis EDGE Rewards 5:2
Etihad GuestHSBC Reward Points 1:1 · HDFC Reward Points 2:1 · Kotak Solitaire Air Miles 2:1 · Axis EDGE Miles 1:2 · Axis EDGE Rewards 5:2

Ratios are your points to the airline’s miles: one Axis EDGE Mile becomes two miles in either programme.

Before this, miles in one programme could not be spent on the other airline. Now ShebaMiles holders can book onto Etihad’s Abu Dhabi network, and Etihad Guest holders can book onto Ethiopian’s flights. If you hold Axis EDGE Miles, which reach both programmes at the same 1:2 ratio, you can pick whichever programme prices your trip lower.

What is missing: neither airline published a partner award chart with the announcement. The link works, but you will not know what a partner award costs until you search for one. Check the price in both programmes before you transfer.

Source: Etihad — Etihad and Ethiopian launch frequent-flyer partnership.

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  4. Etihad clears 50.1% buyout, JetPrivilege spun off standalone

  5. Etihad buys 24% of Jet Airways — $379 million

  6. Etihad invests $150M in JetPrivilege — no impact on Indian cards

Etihad Guest

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