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Etihad has just launched its Global Sale, which offers up to 30% off flights to 40+ destinations worldwide. Plus, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, there are no change fees on flights through March 31, 2027.
If you want to take advantage of the sale, you'll need to act fast. The offer is available on bookings through May 14, 2026, and is valid on travel through October 2026. Here's what you need to know.
Etihad Global Sale
For a limited time, you can get up to 30% off flights to/from each of Etihad's six U.S. hubs through Etihad's Global Sale. The sale lasts through May 14, so you'll need to book quickly. However, eligible travel can occur through October 2026, so it's valid for summer and early fall travel.
You can see the specific destinations on sale on the promotion page, but here are some ideas of how much you'll spend:
- Atlanta (ATL) to Bengaluru, India (BLR) for $470 each way
- Boston (BOS) to Mumbai, India (BOM) for $450 each way
- Charlotte (CLT) to Bahrain (BAH) for $520 each way
- Chicago (ORD) to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (RUH) for $323 each way
- New York (JFK) to Karachi, Pakistan (KHI) for $345 each way
- Washington D.C. (IAD) to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) for $499 each way
Note that there are blackout dates, but these aren't publicly available. You'll have to check whether your preferred route and date are eligible for the sale.
The terms and conditions state that the sale is valid only for economy bookings in basic or value fare classes. However, as you can see in the screenshot below, it seems that select business class flights are also on sale. Even so, $2,400+ is a lot to spend on a one-way business class fare to Thailand.
Key Details
- Save up to 30% on the base fare (excluding taxes and fees) when you book by 11:59 p.m. local time on May 14, 2026.
- The eligible travel window is from May to October 2026.
- Valid only on Economy flights in the Basic and Value fare classes.
- Special discounts have limited availability.
- Flight/Day restrictions, blackout periods, weekend, peak travel surcharges, and any additional surcharges may apply.
- You can book the Abu Dhabi stopover in conjunction with this offer.
Related: Score a Free Hotel Stay in Abu Dhabi With Etihad Stopover Program
Maximize Your Etihad Purchase
If you want to take advantage of the Etihad Global Sale, use a card that earns the most on airfare purchases. Here are a few of our favorites:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Earn 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines. You can transfer the points you earn on your Etihad purchase back to Etihad through June 30, 2026. After that date, Amex will drop Etihad as a transfer partner.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 4X Ultimate Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines. Plus, enjoy some of the best travel protections of any credit card if something goes wrong before or during your trip.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card: Earn 4X points per $1 spent with airlines. Wells Fargo might not have as many transfer partners, but the Autograph Journey charges a much lower annual fee than the other cards on this list.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: Earn 3X points on airfare booked directly with the airline. You can then transfer the points you earn to 21 transfer partners, including Etihad.
$895Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
$795Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 5X points per $1 spent with hotels
- 4X points per $1 spent with airlines
- 3X points per $1 spent on other travel and restaurants
- 1X points per $1 spent on other purchases
Bottom Line
If you want to save on Etihad flights through October, make sure to complete your booking by May 14, 2026, to get up to 30% off during Etihad's Global Sale. The advertised rates through this promotion are impressive — it's not often you can fly halfway across the world for less than $500 each way.
However, availability is limited, so be sure to jump on a good deal before it disappears. And remember — Etihad removed change fees through March 31, 2027, so you can always move your flight if something pops up.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
