Etihad Guest has launched a new campaign, The Extraordinary Challenge, aimed at celebrating the expansion of its global network. The concept is straightforward: travel to (or from) 15 newly announced destinations served by Etihad, and you could win up to 5 million Etihad Guest Miles.

But this isn’t just a race for the top spot. With the recent addition of Extraordinary Milestones, the challenge is now packed with more chances to earn miles, rewarding participants who reach key milestones along the way—even if you don’t visit all 15 destinations.

Main Points

  • Grand Prizes: The fastest 3 people to fly to all 15 destinations win 5M, 3M, or 1M miles.
  • New Milestone Prizes: The first 100 people to fly to 5 destinations win 25,000 miles. The first 100 to fly to 10 destinations win another 100,000 miles.
  • It’s a Race: This is a game of skill and speed, not a random lottery. The fastest participants win.
  • Key Dates: The challenge runs from May 26, 2025, to May 25, 2026.

Below, we explain how the updated challenge works, what’s at stake, and what you should keep in mind if you’re thinking about joining.

In This Article

What Is Etihad’s Extraordinary Challenge?

The challenge centers around Etihad’s newly launched destinations. Members are invited to fly to or from 15 specific cities between May 26, 2025 and May 25, 2026.

The top prize remains a true grand prize:

  • 🥇 5,000,000 Etihad Guest Miles for the fastest finisher

What could 5 Million Etihad Guest Miles get you? This incredible sum could translate to:

  • Over 40 First Class tickets (think The Apartment!)
  • More than 70 Business Class redemptions across the globe
  • Upwards of 130 upgrades from Economy to a premium experience
  • Or potentially over 500 Economy Class flights, depending on the route and availability.

Grand Prizes for the Fastest Finishers:

  • 🥈 2nd Place: 3,000,000 miles
  • 🥉 3rd Place: 1,000,000 miles

New: Win Bigger with Extraordinary Milestones

The most exciting update is the introduction of The Extraordinary Milestones. Now, you can earn miles as you go. Be among the first 100 members to reach these milestones and win:

✈️ Any 5 New Destinations

Win 25,000 miles

✈️ Any 10 New Destinations

Win 100,000 miles

More Ways to Win

This is a fantastic addition! It means the first 100 members to complete 10 destinations will walk away with a total of 125,000 bonus miles, even if they don’t finish the entire challenge. This rewards progress and not just the final sprint.

As Mark Potter, Managing Director of Etihad Guest, put it: “This challenge embodies Etihad’s purpose to give flight to ambition. We’re inviting our adventurous members and travellers to explore 15 incredible destinations while competing for our largest-ever miles prize.”

win 5 Million Miles with the Extraordinary Challenge by Etihad Guest.

How To Join the Extraordinary Challenge

Participating is open to any Etihad Guest member aged 18 or over. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Create an Etihad Guest account (if you don’t already have one).
  2. Register for the challenge via the official page.
  3. Book and complete flights to or from the 15 designated cities.
  4. Track your flights (details on leaderboard functionality to come).

🕓 Start Date: May 26, 2025 (00:01 AM GMT+4)

The deadline for completing the challenge is May 25, 2026, giving you a full year to plan and execute.

win 5 Million Miles with the Extraordinary Challenge by Etihad Guest.

The 15 New Destinations

To win the grand prizes, participants must travel on Etihad-operated flights to or from each of these 15 new year-round destinations. These same destinations count towards the new milestone prizes.

Continent Destination IATA Code
Africa Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ADD
Africa Algiers, Algeria ALG
Africa Tunis, Tunisia TUN
Asia Chiang Mai, Thailand CNX
Asia Hanoi, Vietnam HAN
Asia Hong Kong, Hong Kong HKG
Asia Krabi, Thailand KBV
Asia Medan, Indonesia KNO
Asia Peshawar, Pakistan PEW
Asia Phnom Penh, Cambodia PNH
Asia Taipei, Taiwan TPE
Europe Prague, Czech Republic PRG
Europe Sochi, Russia AER
Europe Warsaw, Poland WAW
North America Atlanta, USA ATL

Etihad has stated that if a route is canceled, an alternate destination may be accepted. Keep an eye on their announcements for any changes to the qualifying list.

Challenge Rules and Selection Criteria

This is explicitly a game of skill, not a random draw. Winners will be determined based on:

  • ✅ Grand Prize Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd): Complete all 15 destinations in the shortest possible cumulative time.
  • ✅ New! Milestone Winners: Be among the first 100 members to fly to 5 or 10 of the new destinations.
  • ⏳ Register early: The time of your challenge registration can help break ties.
  • 🚨 Partial completions (minimum 10 cities) may be considered for the grand prize if no participant completes all 15.

Winners will be notified by June 15, 2026.

You can join the challenge even after completing one or more eligible flights, but retroactive claims must be submitted within 6 months of travel. Make sure to thoroughly review the official Etihad Guest The Extraordinary Challenge page for the complete terms and conditions.

win 5 Million Miles with the Extraordinary Challenge by Etihad Guest.

Special Offer for Challengers: Fly & Get AwardFares Diamond Free

We’re always excited about supporting aspiring adventurers in these crazy initiatives. That’s why we are offering one month of FREE AwardFares Diamond access to all participants in Etihad’s Extraordinary Challenge who. To participate, simply

  1. Show proof of travel for at least five qualifying flights that is part of The Extraordinary Challenge.
  2. Share your full planned itinerary for tackling the challenge with us (even if it’s just your initial plan!).

📩 Email your details to: [email protected]

Plan Your Extraordinary Challenge: Interactive Itinerary Tool

If you’re considering taking part in Etihad’s Extraordinary Challenge, planning your route carefully is essential. Our interactive Itinerary Planner can help you map out a potential journey, estimate the number of Etihad Guest miles required for each leg, and access award availability searches through AwardFares.

Note: Mileage estimates are based on Etihad’s distance-based award chart for Economy Class and represent starting rates. Actual award pricing may vary depending on availability, cabin, and partner flights.

Select Challenge Cities:

Your Route Map:

Flight Itinerary & Miles Estimation:

Selected Path: None
  • Select at least two cities to see flight details.
Total Estimated Miles: 0 miles
Powered by Etihad Guest miles estimates Etihad Airways Logo

⚠️ What You Should Know Before Taking On Etihad’s Extraordinary Challenge

Let’s be real for a moment. On paper, this challenge looks like the ultimate adventure. But if you’re seriously considering it, you need to go in with your eyes wide open. Here are the main things you need to think about before you start planning (and spending):

Safety & Geopolitical Risks

Several destinations are in regions with active geopolitical instability, safety warnings, or complex entry requirements. This includes Sochi (Russia), Peshawar (Pakistan), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). Always check official government travel advisories and prioritize your personal safety over completing the challenge.

It's Still a Competitive Race

Even with the new milestone prizes, this is not a guaranteed win. The 100 spots for each milestone will likely be claimed very quickly. If you aren’t among the very first to register and fly, you may miss out. The grand prizes are even more competitive, rewarding only the top three fastest finishers. You could spend thousands of dollars or miles and walk away with nothing.

Finally, remember that some of these are new, low-frequency routes. Planning an efficient itinerary will be a significant logistical challenge requiring time, money, and flexibility.

🆚 Etihad vs SAS: Two Very Different Takes on a Frequent Flyer Challenge

I’ve done the SAS EuroBonus Millionaire Challenge myself, and while it was wild and exhausting, it felt collaborative and inclusive. Etihad’s Extraordinary Challenge is a whole different beast, though it’s now a bit of a hybrid.

  • SAS’s Approach (Participation): SAS guaranteed 1 million points to everyone who completed the task. This was fantastic for community building but created a massive supply shock on award availability.
  • Etihad’s Approach (Hybrid): Etihad offers exclusive, life-changing prizes for the top three (the race) but has now added a participation element with the milestone rewards. This is a great balance, offering a “golden ticket” for the ultra-dedicated and more attainable goals for fast-moving, strategic travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Do I have to fly to all 15 destinations to win something?

No! With the new Extraordinary Milestones, you can win miles without completing the full challenge. The first 100 members to fly to 5 new destinations win 25,000 miles, and the first 100 to fly to 10 new destinations win an additional 100,000 miles.

Is this a lottery or a random prize draw?

No. This is a game of skill and speed. The grand prizes are awarded to the three individuals who complete all 15 destinations in the shortest cumulative time. The milestone prizes are awarded to the first 100 members to reach those targets. Early registration and fast travel are key.

Can I use partner airlines like American Airlines or Air Canada to fly to these destinations?

No. The terms state that all qualifying flights must be Etihad-operated. Codeshare flights marketed by Etihad but operated by another airline will not count.

Can I join the challenge after I've already taken an eligible flight?

Yes, you can. However, you must register for the challenge and then submit a retroactive claim for your past flights within six months of the travel date. It’s highly recommended to register before you start traveling to avoid any issues.

What is the deadline?

You have one full year to complete the challenge. All flights must be completed between May 26, 2025, and May 25, 2026.

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