Etihad and TAP Launch Reciprocal Frequent Flyer Partnership in May 2025

(DUBAI) Etihad Airways and TAP Air Portugal have deepened their commercial ties with a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership that went live on May 14, 2025, expanding on a codeshare agreement signed in late 2023. The move links Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go, allowing members to earn and use miles across both airlines’ networks under one trip plan.

As of September 1, 2025, there is no separate, new codeshare involving Saudi Arabia for 4Q25; the most recent update centers on loyalty integration and broader network access through the existing codeshare agreement.

What the partnership enables

Under the new setup, travelers can book a single itinerary that combines TAP and Etihad flights while gaining miles and redemption options across:

• Europe
• Middle East
• Africa
• Asia
• Australia
• North America
• South America

This combined network can reduce connections and increase flight choices for people planning immigration-related travel—such as visa runs, family visits, study starts, or job relocations—especially between Portugal and the Gulf, and on long-haul links to the Americas and Asia.

“We are expanding member benefits and rewarding loyal flyers across more routes,” said Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest.
Pedro Flores Ribeiro, Director TAP Miles&Go, welcomed Etihad flyers to TAP’s European reach and confirmed TAP members can now redeem on Etihad services as part of the reciprocal frequent flyer partnership.

Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the loyalty tie-up will likely increase engagement from passengers seeking flexible redemption on both long‑haul hubs and secondary cities.

New redemption and digital features

• Etihad Guest members gain fresh redemption choices such as Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, and Cancun.
• TAP Miles&Go members get long‑haul access in Asia, including Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, and Medan, through Etihad’s network.
• Etihad says TAP’s digital experience offers content in 12 languages for Etihad customers traveling on TAP’s network, which should help families and first‑time travelers plan connections.

Headline benefits for travelers

The headline benefits include:

• Mutual earning and redemption across both programs on eligible flights.
• Single‑itinerary bookings under the existing codeshare agreement for smoother transfers.
• Wider route coverage across Europe, the Gulf, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• Multi‑language digital support on TAP’s side for Etihad customers.

How to use the partnership in practice

1. Add your Etihad Guest or TAP Miles&Go number during booking or check‑in to secure mileage credit.
2. If booking mixed flights on one ticket, confirm fare class earning rules for both programs.
3. Compare redemption charts before spending miles; one program may offer a better deal for a specific route.
4. Track baggage rules on mixed itineraries and confirm through‑check of bags at the first counter.

Members can manage accounts and check earning tables on the official pages: Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go. Media queries for Etihad can be directed to [email protected].

Visa and transit planning for mixed‑itinerary trips

While loyalty benefits stretch farther now, immigration rules still determine who can board, transit, or enter. Key points to consider when booking Etihad–TAP itineraries:

• Schengen rules apply on TAP’s European segments. Many non‑EU nationals need a short‑stay (Type C) visa for entry or airport transit through Portugal or other Schengen states. Check passport visa requirements.
• The United Arab Emirates offers visa‑free entry for many nationalities and visa‑on‑arrival for some, but others must secure a visa in advance. Confirm whether an Abu Dhabi stop is transit without visa or requires a visa if you change terminals or airlines.
• If your ticket is split across different PNRs (separate bookings), you may need to clear immigration to recheck bags, which could trigger unplanned visa requirements. When possible, use a single codeshare ticket.
• Travelers such as students, new hires on work permits, or family members joining a sponsor should allow extra time for biometrics or document checks on arrival.

If you need a Schengen short‑stay visa, the official Schengen visa application form is available here: Schengen visa application form. Print, complete, and submit it with required documents at the appropriate consulate or visa center. This is an official European Union resource—confirm local fees, appointment systems, and processing times, which vary by location and season.

Practical tips to avoid border problems

• Build in longer connections when your journey involves immigration checks (e.g., intra‑Schengen transfers or terminal changes).
• Carry proof of onward travel, accommodation, and funds—border officers often request them, even for visa‑exempt travelers.
• Keep copies of school enrollment letters, work permits, or family sponsorship letters in your carry‑on to support your purpose of travel.
• Check baggage policies and paid extras on both carriers; a single checked‑bag policy on a codeshare ticket is common, but special items and sports gear may follow stricter rules.

Saudi codeshare rumors and market context

As to market rumors about a Saudi expansion, both airlines have kept the focus on the May 14, 2025 loyalty launch and the ongoing rollout of codeshare destinations. There has been no announcement of a new, separate codeshare focused on Saudi Arabia in 4Q25.

The practical story for passengers is the richer earning and spending choices now on offer, backed by a network that already spans key migration and study corridors. Travelers can expect carriers to refine redemption rates and route coverage as demand shifts. Post‑pandemic travel patterns favor long‑haul visiting‑friends‑and‑relatives trips and student mobility—areas where a reciprocal frequent flyer partnership with long‑haul depth can matter most.

Examples:
– A Portuguese student heading to Thailand can redeem TAP miles on an Etihad itinerary via Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai.
– A UAE‑based family visiting relatives in Brazil can use Etihad miles for a TAP leg to Rio de Janeiro.

Choosing which program to credit

If unsure which program to credit, consider your next 12 months of travel:

• If you expect more Europe–Gulf or Europe–Americas flights, TAP Miles&Go may align better.
• If you expect more Asia–Gulf or Australia–Gulf travel, Etihad Guest could return better value.

Watch for transfer bonuses, partner hotel offers, and seasonal fare classes that change mileage accrual.

For updates on earning tables, blackout dates, and redemption fees, use Etihad Guest and TAP Miles&Go. If you need official statements, contact the Etihad Duty Media Officer at [email protected]. VisaVerge.com reports both carriers are exploring broader loyalty perks while keeping details close until plans are final.

Important: Always verify entry rules and paperwork early—especially during peak seasons when consulate and visa center appointment slots fill quickly.