Key Takeaways
• Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal launched a frequent flyer partnership on May 14, 2025.
• Members can earn and redeem miles across both airlines’ extensive global networks spanning six continents.
• The partnership improves traveler flexibility and airline competitiveness without full alliance membership.
The recent launch of a frequent flyer partnership between Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal marks a major step in airline loyalty program integration. This analytical review examines the purpose, scope, and practical effects of the agreement, focusing on how it impacts travelers, airline competitiveness, and broader industry trends. The analysis draws on official statements, quantitative data, and industry perspectives to present a clear, evidence-based understanding of this partnership’s significance.
Purpose and Scope
The main purpose of the Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal frequent flyer partnership is to allow members of both airlines’ loyalty programs—Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go—to earn and redeem miles across either carrier’s network. This agreement, launched on May 14, 2025, expands on the airlines’ earlier codeshare deal from 2023, which improved route connectivity between the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 and Portugal 🇵🇹 and beyond. The scope of the partnership covers a wide range of destinations across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, offering travelers more choices and greater flexibility.
The analysis aims to:
- Explain how the partnership works for frequent flyers
- Present quantitative data on network reach and benefits
- Compare this partnership to broader airline industry trends
- Assess the practical effects for travelers and airlines
- Identify limitations and areas for future development
Methodology
This review is based on:
- Official press releases and statements from Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal
- Publicly available data on network size, destinations, and loyalty program features
- Industry commentary and analysis, including perspectives from VisaVerge.com
- Direct references to official airline and government resources for accuracy
Information is organized by key findings, with visual descriptions and bullet points to help readers quickly understand the main points. Comparisons and trends are highlighted to place the partnership in context.
Key Findings
1. Reciprocal Earning and Redemption of Miles
- Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go members can now earn and redeem miles on both airlines’ flights and across their combined networks.
- Etihad Guest members can use miles for flights, hotel stays, holiday packages, and products via the Etihad Guest Reward Shop.
- TAP Miles&Go members can redeem miles for flights and items from the TAP Store.
2. Expanded Global Reach
- The combined networks cover destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
- Etihad Airways’ network grew to 80 destinations by December 2024, with 16 new destinations added in 2025.
- TAP Air Portugal maintains a strong presence in Europe, the Americas, and Africa.
3. Seamless Loyalty Experience
- Members keep their original loyalty program accounts but can use miles across both airlines.
- Booking and account management remain simple, with rewards accessible through each airline’s website or customer service.
4. Strategic Industry Alignment
- The partnership reflects a growing trend toward loyalty program integration and alliance-like cooperation without full mergers.
- It supports customer retention and engagement by offering more value and flexibility.
Data Presentation and Visual Descriptions
Network Coverage
Imagine a world map with two large, overlapping webs of routes:
- Etihad Airways: Strong in the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and now expanding into East Asia with 269 weekly flights to 24 destinations.
- TAP Air Portugal: Dense network across Europe, with long-haul connections to North and South America and Africa.
Highlighted Destinations:
- For Etihad Guest members: Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Cancun
- For TAP Miles&Go members: Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Medan
Combined, the partnership offers:
- Hundreds of destinations across six continents
- Multiple major hubs for easy connections, including Frankfurt and London Heathrow
- Non-stop Abu Dhabi-Lisbon service for direct Middle East–Europe travel
Loyalty Program Benefits
Etihad Guest:
- Earn miles on TAP Air Portugal flights
- Redeem miles for:
- Flights on both airlines
- Hotel stays worldwide
- Holiday packages
- Products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop
TAP Miles&Go:
- Earn miles on Etihad Airways flights
- Redeem miles for:
- Flights on both airlines
- Items from the TAP Store
Visual Description:
Picture two overlapping circles—one labeled “Etihad Guest,” the other “TAP Miles&Go.” The shared area in the middle represents the new ability to earn and use miles across both programs, while the outer areas show unique rewards available only through each airline’s own program.
Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns
Industry Trends
- Loyalty Program Integration: Airlines are increasingly forming partnerships that allow reciprocal earning and redemption of miles, even outside traditional alliances like Star Alliance or Oneworld.
- Codeshare Expansion: The 2023 codeshare agreement between Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal set the stage for deeper cooperation, now realized through this frequent flyer partnership.
- Customer-Centric Focus: Modern travelers expect seamless loyalty experiences, with the ability to use points or miles across multiple airlines and for a variety of rewards.
Competitive Positioning
- Etihad Airways gains access to TAP’s strong European and Atlantic routes, appealing to travelers from the Middle East and Asia who want to visit Europe or the Americas.
- TAP Air Portugal benefits from Etihad’s growing network in Asia and the Middle East, offering its members more long-haul options.
- Both airlines strengthen their positions without joining a formal alliance, maintaining flexibility and control over their loyalty programs.
Patterns in Member Benefits
- Flexibility: Members can earn miles on a wider range of flights and redeem them for more types of rewards.
- Simplicity: The process for earning and using miles remains straightforward, with no need to join a new program.
- Value: The partnership increases the value of loyalty program membership, encouraging travelers to stay loyal to either airline.
Evidence-Based Conclusions
1. Enhanced Value for Travelers
The partnership delivers real, practical benefits to frequent flyers. Members of both programs now have more ways to earn and use miles, making their loyalty more rewarding. For example, a TAP Miles&Go member in Lisbon can now use miles to book a flight to Hong Kong via Etihad Airways, while an Etihad Guest member in Abu Dhabi can use miles for a holiday in Rio de Janeiro with TAP Air Portugal.
2. Stronger Airline Competitiveness
By combining their networks and loyalty programs, Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal can attract and retain more customers. This is especially important as travelers increasingly look for convenience and value in their airline choices. The partnership also helps both airlines compete with larger carriers and alliances.
3. Alignment with Industry Trends
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this partnership is part of a wider move in the airline industry toward greater cooperation and integration of loyalty programs. Travelers want more choice and flexibility, and airlines are responding by forming partnerships that deliver these benefits without the complexity of full mergers or alliance membership.
Step-by-Step Process for Members
1. Earning Miles
- Book a flight with either Etihad Airways or TAP Air Portugal.
- Provide your loyalty program number (Etihad Guest or TAP Miles&Go) when booking.
- Earn miles based on the fare and route, credited to your account.
2. Redeeming Miles
- Log in to your loyalty program account on the airline’s website.
- Search for flights or other rewards (hotels, products, holiday packages).
- Use your miles to book flights on either airline or redeem for other available rewards.
3. Booking
- Use the airline’s website or customer service to book flights and rewards.
- Miles earned from either program can be used for flights across the combined network.
4. Account Management
- Keep your original loyalty program account.
- View and use miles for both airlines’ networks without needing to join a new program.
Official resources:
– Etihad Guest program
– TAP Miles&Go program
Policy Implications and Practical Effects
For Travelers:
- Greater flexibility in travel planning, with more routes and reward options.
- Seamless loyalty experience—no need to switch programs or lose benefits when flying with a partner airline.
- Access to exclusive offers and promotions as the partnership develops.
For Airlines:
- Improved customer retention by offering more value to loyalty program members.
- Increased engagement as members are more likely to book flights within the partner network.
- Stronger competitive position in key markets, especially Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
For the Industry:
- Model for future partnerships—other airlines may follow this example to offer more integrated loyalty benefits.
- Supports trend toward alliances and cooperation without full mergers, preserving airline independence.
Limitations
While the partnership offers many benefits, there are some limitations:
- Miles cannot be transferred directly between Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go accounts; they can only be earned and redeemed across both networks.
- Reward availability may vary based on route, fare class, and seat availability.
- Program rules (such as expiration dates, earning rates, and redemption options) remain set by each airline and may differ.
- No full alliance membership—the partnership is not as broad as joining a global alliance, so some benefits (like lounge access or elite status recognition) may not be fully reciprocal.
Future Outlook and Anticipated Developments
The partnership is expected to grow and evolve as both airlines expand their networks and enhance their loyalty programs. Possible future developments include:
- New destinations added to the combined network, especially as Etihad Airways continues its expansion in East Asia and TAP Air Portugal strengthens its Atlantic routes.
- Enhanced loyalty benefits, such as more integrated holiday packages, retail rewards, and special promotions.
- Deeper cooperation in areas like joint marketing, customer service, and digital integration to make the loyalty experience even smoother.
Travelers can expect ongoing improvements and new opportunities as the partnership matures.
Official Contact and Resources
For more information, travelers and loyalty program members can visit the official airline websites:
For general information about international air travel and passenger rights, readers can consult the International Air Transport Association (IATA) official website.
Media inquiries can be directed to Etihad Airways’ Duty Media Officer via email: [email protected].
Conclusion
The frequent flyer partnership between Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal, launched in May 2025, represents a strategic evolution in airline loyalty programs. By allowing members to earn and redeem miles across both networks, the agreement delivers real value to travelers and strengthens both airlines’ positions in a competitive market. The partnership reflects broader trends in the aviation industry toward greater cooperation and customer-centric loyalty solutions.
While some limitations remain, the benefits for frequent flyers are clear: more destinations, more ways to use miles, and a simpler, more rewarding travel experience. As both airlines continue to grow and innovate, travelers can look forward to even more opportunities and enhanced loyalty benefits in the years ahead.
Learn Today
Frequent Flyer Partnership → An agreement allowing members to earn and redeem loyalty miles across multiple airline programs.
Etihad Guest → The loyalty program of Etihad Airways allowing miles earning and redemption for travel and rewards.
TAP Miles&Go → TAP Air Portugal’s loyalty program enabling miles accumulation and redemption for flights and other benefits.
Codeshare Agreement → A cooperative airline arrangement where one airline markets flights operated by another airline.
Loyalty Program Integration → Combining loyalty benefits across carriers to offer coordinated reward earning and redemption without mergers.
This Article in a Nutshell
Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal’s 2025 partnership lets frequent flyers earn and redeem miles across vast global networks. This boosts travel flexibility and strengthens airline competitiveness amid growing industry trends toward integrated loyalty programs.
— By VisaVerge.com
