{"id":157196,"date":"2025-12-16T12:21:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T12:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=157196"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:30:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:30:02","slug":"etihad-guest-refund-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/airlines\/etihad-guest-refund-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Etihad Made Its Convoluted Award Cancellation Policy Even More Punitive \u2014 Here\u2019s How It Works Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever since making changes to its Guest loyalty program<\/a> in early 2024, Etihad has held the title of having the most punitive award cancellation policy in award travel. The airline arguably still holds that title today, even after a two adjustments to these policies over the course of 2025.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know about Etihad\u2019s award cancellation policy and how it works.<\/p>\n

Etihad Has a Confusing and Punitive Award Ticket Refund Policy<\/span><\/h2>\n

We like it when airlines keep it simple. Etihad's award cancellation policy<\/a> is anything but.<\/p>\n

Before overhauling its policy in early 2024, you\u2019d forfeit just 10% of the miles redeemed to cancel an award ticket. Nowadays, it\u2019s far less clear-cut. What you\u2019ll pay to cancel depends on several factors.<\/p>\n

So, let's introduce you to the new policy \u2014 and go over the older policies that you might be beholden to instead depending on when you booked your ticket.<\/p>\n

\"Side-view
Credit: Tyler Glatt\/AwardWallet<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

For tickets booked on or after November 13, 2025<\/span><\/h3>\n

Etihad made its most recent revision to its award change and cancellation policy on November 13, 2025.<\/p>\n

Under the new policy<\/a> (for tickets issued on or after November 13), Etihad made it nearly impossible to cancel a Guest award ticket and get anything back.<\/p>\n

There are a lot of Xs on the table below, which apply to both saver economy and business class awards. This is code for “this award cannot be canceled for a refund.” And that's still the case even on tickets that are supposed to come with more flexibility, such as Deluxe award fares.<\/p>\n

\"Etihad
Credit: Etihad<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

You'll note that Etihad mentions the cancellation fee for Comfort award tickets cancelled more than 72 hours from the time of departure is 25%. However, “fare” doesn't mean what you think. Keep this in your back pocket for now, and we'll explain how it works down below.<\/p>\n

Etihad also posted a new chart for first class award changes and cancellations. These awards are only available in Comfort and Deluxe, but they're equally punitive to cancel.<\/p>\n

\"Etihad
Credit: Etihad<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

For tickets booked on or after June 19, 2025<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you booked an award ticket using Etihad Guest miles on or after June 19, 2025<\/strong>, the cancellation fee depends on how close to departure you are and what fare class (Value, Comfort, or Deluxe) you\u2019re booked in. It breaks down like this:<\/p>\n

\"Etihad
Credit: Etihad<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

At first glance, this version of the policy doesn't look as punitive as the new policy, since you can cancel more types of awards (and do so closer to departure) and get something<\/em> back.<\/p>\n

For tickets booked before June 19, 2025<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lastly, if you booked an Etihad Guest award before June 19, 2025<\/strong>, you\u2019re eligible for a refund up to 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Like the updated policies, the amount of miles and taxes and fees you get back depends on how early you cancel. But under these rules, your fare class doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

The closer to departure you cancel, the less you\u2019ll get back, based on the following structure:<\/p>\n