The Transfer Partnership Has Ended.
Here’s What to Do Now

For years, Etihad Guest was one of the quieter but more useful Amex transfer partners. Membership Rewards points moved over at 1:1, and Etihad Guest miles could unlock good-value awards on Etihad and its partner airlines.

That option is gone. American Express removed Etihad Guest as a transfer partner effective June 30, 2026, and June 29 was the last day to move points across. If you search for Etihad on the Amex transfer page today, you won’t find it.

This guide covers what changed, what happens to Etihad miles you already have, and the routes still open if you want to fly Etihad using Amex points.

What changed

• Before: Amex Membership Rewards points transferred to Etihad Guest at 1:1, with no excise tax fee.
• Now: there is no direct transfer from Amex to Etihad Guest.
• Scope: the change applied across Amex markets, not only the US. Amex Canada ended its Etihad transfers slightly earlier, on June 20, 2026.

Amex hasn’t announced a replacement partner in the Gulf region, so Amex holders now need to plan Etihad trips differently.

What happens to Etihad Guest miles you already have

Any miles you transferred before the deadline stay in your Etihad Guest account. The end of the partnership affects new transfers only, not your existing balance.

Keep an eye on expiry. Etihad Guest miles can expire if your account is inactive, so check your account’s terms and plan to use or extend them. Etihad Guest also has relatively strict change and cancellation rules, so be sure of your plans before you book.

How to fly Etihad with Amex points now

You have four realistic options. None is as clean as the old 1:1 transfer, but each works in the right situation.

Option 1: Pay with points through Amex Travel

You can book Etihad cash fares through Amex Travel and pay with Membership Rewards points. It’s simple, there’s no award availability to hunt for, and you’ll usually earn miles on the ticket.

The downside is value. Points typically go much further through transfer partners than through pay-with-points bookings. This works best for cheap economy fares or when you need a specific flight.

Option 2: Book through Air France-KLM Flying Blue

Flying Blue partners with Etihad on certain routes and remains a 1:1 Amex transfer partner. Flying Blue prices Etihad awards per segment, so a connecting trip through Abu Dhabi costs the sum of each leg. Availability is limited, so search Flying Blue first and transfer only once you’ve found a seat.

Option 3: Book through Air Canada Aeroplan

Aeroplan, another 1:1 Amex partner, can also book some Etihad flights. Etihad seats on Aeroplan appear infrequently, especially on popular premium routes, but when they show up they can be good value. Check the partner booking fee before you commit.

Option 4: Route points through Marriott Bonvoy

There is still an indirect path into Etihad Guest. Amex points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy, and Marriott transfers to Etihad Guest at 3:1, with a bonus of 5,000 miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transferred.

The maths is poor, and Marriott-to-airline transfers can take several days. Treat this as a last resort for a high-value redemption you can’t book any other way.

Other cards that still transfer to Etihad Guest

If Etihad is important to you, it may be worth earning a second flexible currency. In the US, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Points and Bilt Rewards all still transfer to Etihad Guest at 1:1, and none had announced an end date at the time of writing.

Where your Amex points still work well instead

Losing Etihad doesn’t change the strength of the rest of the Amex lineup. For travel to the Middle East and beyond, it’s worth comparing:

• Air France-KLM Flying Blue, for SkyTeam and selected partner awards
• Air Canada Aeroplan, for Star Alliance flights without fuel surcharges on many partners
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, for Virgin and partner awards
• British Airways Executive Club and other Avios programs, for oneworld flights, including Qatar Airways on some routes

As always, search award availability in the partner program before transferring, because transfers can’t be reversed.

Conclusion

The direct Amex to Etihad Guest transfer ended on June 30, 2026. Miles you already moved are safe, but new Etihad redemptions with Amex points now go through Amex Travel, a partner like Flying Blue or Aeroplan, or a costly detour via Marriott.

If Etihad is a regular part of your travel, consider pairing your Amex card with a currency that still transfers to Etihad Guest. If not, put your points to work with the Amex partners that remain.

Transfer partners and terms change regularly. Check the latest information on the Amex and Etihad websites before making travel plans.