Emirates, Etihad and Qatar: what’s the difference?

Most international travelers are familiar with the three main airlines of the Middle East, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Emirates. The talk of town is their swanky, premium cabins and excellent route network.

We’ve got all the information you need to know about Etihad, Qatar, or Emirates airlines. This includes their locations, programs of loyalty, and service classes. The Middle Eastern airlines are in a battle: Emirates, Etihad and Qatar.

Qatar is the clear winner of this round based on the total footprint. Qatar’s membership in Oneworld gives it an additional advantage. Etihad and Emirates are not part of an airline alliance. However, Emirates has a strong global presence.

You can probably guess from its name that Emirates has operations in the United Arab Emirates (specifically Dubai) and serves over 160 destinations around the world, including 12 U.S. Cities:

Etihad Airways has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi in the capital of United Arab Emirates. It flies from 60 different destinations, including Asia, Australia and Europe.

U.S. The following destinations are included:

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  Chicago-O’Hare.
  

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  New York JFK.
  

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  Washington-Dulles.
  

Qatar Airways main hub is Doha in Qatar. The airline currently offers more than 170 routes in over 80 countries.

Qatar Airways flies from the following U.S. Cities:

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  Chicago-O’Hare.
  

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  Dallas-Fort Worth.
  

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  Houston-George Bush.
  

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  Los Angeles.
  

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  New York JFK.
  

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  San Francisco.
  

Qatar Privilege Club stands out when you compare the loyalty programmes of Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airlines. Avios can be earned easily, and the redemption rate is also very customer friendly.

Skywards is the Emirates loyalty program. You can earn miles on Emirates tickets based on your destination, class of service and fare.

The elite flyers receive a bonus based on their accumulated mileage at these rates:

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  Blue: 0% bonus.
  

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  Silver: 30% bonus.
  

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  Gold: 75% bonus.
  

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  Platinum: 100% bonus.
  

For example, if your round-trip flight from New York JFK airport to Dubai is with a Blue membership (without Skywards), you will earn more miles than a Platinum status member.

Skywards Miles are not always a good deal when it comes to redeeming for awards flights.

A round-trip business class flight between New York JFK and Dubai would require 276,000 Skywards Miles plus $1,700 more in taxes, fees, and charges imposed by the carrier. This is at the higher end.

You can quickly transfer points from Emirates Skywards to Emirates if you are based in America and want to fly business class to Dubai, or anywhere else.

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  American Express Members Rewards: 1 to 1.
  

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  Capital one Miles: 1:1 ratio.
  

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  Earn Chase Ultimate Reward points at 1:1 ratio
  

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  Citi ThankYou Points: 1:1 ratio.
  

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  Bilt Rewards: 1:1 ratio.
  

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  Brex Reward: 1:1 ratio
  

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  Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 ratio.
  

Etihad’s loyalty program, Etihad guest offers four different elite status levels:

Each Etihad guest member is Bronze level, which means there are three tiers of elite status. Earning redeemable miles is based on your airline, route and cabin service.

To redeem a business-class flight from New York JFK Airport to Abu Dhabi, you will need 110,005 GuestSeat miles and $512.

You will not be paying “saver rates” if you are seeing mileage rates between 700,000 and 1,000,000 miles. You shouldn’t be paying that much money for a reward flight.

You can convert the following points into Etihad Miles:

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  American Express Members Rewards: 1 to 1.
  

• 
  Capital one Miles: 1:1 rate.
  

• 
  Citi ThankYou Points: 1:1 ratio.
  

• 
  Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 ratio.
  

Qatar’s loyalty program, Privilege Club has four elite levels:

All members can access the Burgundy level once they have joined. However, tangible benefits such as priority boarding, tier bonuses and additional luggage allowance are only available when you achieve Silver Elite status.

Mileage earning rates are based on a number of factors such as the class of service you choose, your airline and membership level. Qatar’s Mileage Calculator can help you determine the number of Avios that you will earn for a particular flight.

This is how many Avios a Burgundy or Platinum Privilege Club member can earn for a flight round trip from Doha-JFK to New York.

The program offers a good number of miles for redemption, and charges reasonable taxes. A flight in business class from New York JFK to Doha can cost up to 70,000 Avios and $98.75.

This is a better deal than Emirates fuel surcharges or Etihad redemption rates that push a million mile.

You can transfer the following points to Qatar Privilege club:

• 
  Citi ThankYou Points: 1:1 ratio.
  

• 
  Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 ratio.
  

You can also transfer Avios to Qatar Privilege Club from British Airways Executive Club. This is another way of earning Qatar Avios.

The following points can be transferred from British Airways Executive Club to

• 
  American Express Members Rewards: 1 to 1.
  

• 
  Capital one Miles: 1:1.
  

• 
  Earn Chase Ultimate Reward points at 1:1 ratio
  

• 
  Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 ratio.
  

While all three airlines have first class and business classes, Etihad is the leader in this segment with its deluxe first-class suites.

Emirates has retrofitted its Airbus A380 aircraft and Boeing 777 planes on international flights to have four cabins – economy, premium economy and business class.

When flying Emirates Business Class, you can expect to enjoy comfortable seats that lie flat and soft leather fabrics. Gourmet meals are also available. You can order drinks at the onboard bar if you are flying on an A380 premium cabin.

On both types of aircraft, first-class passengers can fly in an enclosed private suite. Dreams are made with a fine dining on demand service, vintage Champagne and shower spa, lounge bar, lounge at 40,000 feet as well as chauffeur services that transfer you between flights for free. You can’t do better than Emirates’ first-class if you want to treat yourself.

Etihad’s Residence and First Class Apartment Suites, which are equipped with these ultra-luxurious suites, is proof that they know how to treat their passengers. Etihad had to ground its Airbus A380 aircraft equipped with the ultra-luxurious Suites due to the Pandemic. The carrier has announced that it will bring back the suites in 2023.

A Residence on an A380 is a 3-room suite that can accommodate up to two passengers. The ticket includes all of the extras, such as a chauffeur service to pick you up from your Abu Dhabi hotel, a representative who will ensure that your experience at the airport is smooth, and an airport lounge with dedicated staff.

The onboard experience features gourmet food, luxury bedding and a heated shower in your suite.

The Apartment, on the other hand, is “only”, a one-bedroom apartment measuring 39 square feet. The cabin also offers chauffeur services, a lounge access, à la carte dining on demand, and showers in flight.

You can fly Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 in economy, business or first class. The latter offers ultra-wide, lie-flat seats and a menu à la carte available on demand. It also includes access to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge located at Hamad International Airport, Doha. There is a lounge bar on board but there are no showers. White Company also provides pajamas for long-haul flights.

Qatar first class offers the same food, bedding, and amenity kit as Qsuites’ renowned business class, but better service, and with caviar. It’s not that Qatar first class isn’t luxurious, but it does show how good the business class in Qatar is.

Each airline charges fees in some form or other, so you should be ready if you require additional services.

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  Additional baggage allowance, per kilogram: 15 to 50 dollars
  

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  Add-on luggage from $100 up to $250
  

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  Seat selection range: from $15 to $40.
  

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  Preferential seat: $25 – $100
  

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  Double seat from $35 up to $135.
  

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  Additional legroom seats: $55 – $250
  

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  Additional baggage allowance: per kilo, $24-$54
  

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  Additional piece of luggage from $324 up to $396.
  

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  Minors unaccompanied: 100 to 150 dollars
  

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  Regular seat selection: $0 for Etihad Guest members.
  

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  Economy Space seat selection: $0 for Etihad Guest Platinum members.
  

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  Fee for new bookings, changes to tickets and refunds: $30.
  

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  Additional baggage allowance (per kilogram): 8 to 55 dollars
  

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  Add-on luggage from $150 up to $350
  

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  Qatar Privilege Gold and Platinum members can select their seats for free. Seat selection: $0 for Qatar Privilege Club Platinum and Gold members.
  

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  Purchase tickets by telephone: Service fee of $25
  

All of these Middle East giants have strengths.

Qatar offers the best loyalty program and is the easiest to use, but Emirates and Etihad provide first class service. Qatar and Emirates offer a lot of coverage around the world for adventurous travelers. All three airlines offer a pleasant flight experience.