How to join ShebaMiles: eligibility and enrollment

Who can join ShebaMiles?

ShebaMiles accepts applications from any individual who is at least two years of age, and the terms state that, subject to local laws and restrictions, membership is open to all individuals all over the world. [1] Corporations, organizations, partnerships and other entities cannot be enrolled as members. [1]

Eligibility is subject to applicable laws and regulations, including resolutions of the International Air Transport Association, and ShebaMiles does not operate in a jurisdiction where it would be prohibited by law or by government direction. [1]

Ethiopian Airlines may accept or reject any application in its absolute discretion, and an application is accepted only if it is fully completed. [1] Where an application is rejected, any benefit that accrued through the use of a temporary membership card is null and void. [1]

How do you enroll in ShebaMiles?

The ShebaMiles website carries a registration area for people who have not yet signed up, and online enrollment through the Ethiopian website is possible for individuals aged 18 and above. [1] [2] Recurring terms such as enrollment date, status miles and award are set out in the frequent flyer glossary.

Once an application is accepted, Ethiopian issues a permanent membership number and miles are accrued against it. [1] The terms define the enrollment date as the date on which Ethiopian issues the first membership card. [1] Miles can be earned on qualifying flights taken on or after that enrollment date, and a retroactive claim for a qualifying transaction can be made online or at a ShebaMiles service center within one year of the date on which the transaction took place. [1] Miles may take eight weeks or more to be credited from the date of the transaction. [1]

Membership cards are digital. ShebaMiles announced on 17 November 2022 that it was moving to fully digital membership cards and would phase out physical cards by December 2022, with the digital card available on the ShebaMiles website and in the Ethiopian mobile app for Android and iPhone. [2] The digital card can be stored in Apple Wallet, an Android wallet app or the phone's gallery so that the membership number is available when flying and when using non-air partners. [2]

Does ShebaMiles cost anything to join?

Joining is free: the registration panel on the ShebaMiles site invites people who have not registered to "Join the program for free" and start enjoying the benefits. [1] [2]

Members do meet fees for certain transactions. Miles may be re-credited to a member if an award ticket is completely unused and valid, subject to a US$100 charge for awards on Ethiopian or airline partner international flights and a US$25 charge for unused and valid awards on Ethiopian domestic flights. [1] Platinum tier members are exempt from those mile re-deposit service charges. [1]

What account conditions apply?

• One account per person. An individual may use only one membership card and is not permitted to hold more than one personal account, and duplicate account creation is not allowed. [1] Where duplicate accounts of the same person are discovered, miles accrued on the older profile are retained, unique miles on the duplicate are merged into it, and all other duplicate miles are canceled. [1]
• Not transferable. Membership and membership cards cannot be transferred, and a card is an identification document rather than a credit card that remains the property of the issuer. [1] A member must return the card when asked and must immediately report a lost card to a ShebaMiles service center. [1] A member can hold more than one card after qualifying to a tier above Blue, and Blue cards carry no expiry date. [1]
• Contact details. Members must keep their mailing address and email address up to date, and communications sent to the address or email on record are treated as delivered. [1] A name change must be notified to Ethiopian in writing with the legal or other documentation it requests. [1]
• Ending membership. Membership terminates automatically on the death or bankruptcy of a member, and miles accumulated beforehand are canceled, although Ethiopian may reinstate miles for the member's heirs on application by a personal representative. [1] A member may cancel at any time by writing to a ShebaMiles service center or returning the membership card, and all miles credited but not exchanged for awards, plus any unutilized award, are canceled when a person stops being a member. [1] Ethiopian may also suspend, cancel or terminate a membership or accumulated miles at its discretion, including for failure to comply with the terms, misrepresentation of information or abuse of awards and benefits. [1]

Exceptions and limits

• Applicants under 18. The home address on the application must be that of the applicant's parents or guardians, the applicant and a parent or guardian must approve and sign the application, the parent or guardian writes a full name beside the signature, and a unique email address must be provided by the parent or guardian at the time of the child's enrollment. [1] Online access is permitted only to members above 18 years old. [1]
• Age floor. Two years is the minimum age for membership, and the parent or guardian rules cover applicants under 18. [1]
• No entity accounts. Companies, partnerships and other organizations cannot hold ShebaMiles membership. [1]
• Discretion on applications. Ethiopian may reject an application in its absolute discretion, and a rejected applicant forfeits any benefit accrued through a temporary membership card. [1]
• Law and jurisdiction. Membership is subject to local laws and restrictions, the program rules are governed by the laws of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and proceedings relating to ShebaMiles must be brought in that jurisdiction. [1] The terms took effect on 13 December 2011 and may be amended, with the version published on the ShebaMiles website prevailing. [1]

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to join ShebaMiles?

Yes. The registration panel on the ShebaMiles site invites people who have not registered to join the program for free. [1] [2]

Can I enroll my child in ShebaMiles?

Yes, from the age of two. The application must give the parent's or guardian's home address, be signed by the child and the parent or guardian, and use a unique email address supplied by the parent or guardian. [1]

Can I enroll online if I am under 18?

No. Online enrollment through the Ethiopian website is possible only for individuals aged 18 and above, and online access is permitted only to members above 18. [1]

Can I hold more than one ShebaMiles account?

No. Duplicate membership accounts are not allowed, and where they are found the older profile is kept while unique miles on the duplicate are merged into it. [1]

What happens to my miles if I cancel my membership?

All miles credited but not exchanged for awards, and any unutilized award, are canceled when a person stops being a member. [1]

Related pages

The ShebaMiles and Cloud Nine program overview covers what the program offers once an account is open, including tier levels and benefits, and the frequent flyer glossary explains recurring program terms. [1]

Sources

Sources checked on 6 October 2026. This page reports no account test. ShebaMiles is the only program covered here; other frequent flyer programs, including other Star Alliance member schemes, are not covered. Frequent flyer glossary.

1. ShebaMiles terms and conditions, checked 6 October 2026
2. ShebaMiles program updates, checked 6 October 2026