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Amex Membership Rewards Ending Etihad Guest Transfers: What to Do Before June 29, 2026
July 1, 2025
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If you've been sitting on a stash of American Express Membership Rewards points with plans to fly Etihad, your window is closing. Amex has confirmed it will end its transfer partnership with Etihad Guest on June 30, 2026. The last day to transfer points is June 29.
Here's what's changing, what you should book before the deadline, and where to send your points after June 29.
What's Changing
Starting June 30, 2026, American Express Membership Rewards members will no longer be able to transfer points to Etihad Guest. Until then, transfers continue at the standard 1:1 ratio: 1,000 Membership Rewards points equals 1,000 Etihad Guest miles.
After the deadline, you can still use Amex points toward Etihad flights via the Pay with Points option in the Amex Travel portal, but you'll typically get less value that way than through a direct points transfer.
Why It Matters
Etihad Guest has long been one of the more underrated Amex transfer partners, particularly for two reasons:
- Booking American Airlines flights. While Amex points don't transfer directly to American Airlines AAdvantage, Etihad's codeshare partnership with American has allowed members to book AA domestic and short-haul flights at strong redemption rates, sometimes as low as 6,000 miles for flights under 500 miles.
- Etihad's own premium cabin products. Etihad's first-class Apartment on the A380 is widely considered one of the best premium cabin products in commercial aviation. Etihad Guest award availability on these flights has historically been better than what you'd find booking through partner programs.
Which Cards Are Affected
Any card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points is affected by this change. That includes:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Generous Travel Rewards"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "120", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers and Diners", "headerHint": "Eco-Friendly Material"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2290", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Premium Offer" } ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "111", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Versatile Business Tool" } ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "259", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Small Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Simple Rewards" } ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "258", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Small Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Diverse Spending Needs" } ]]
If you earn Membership Rewards points on any of these cards and were planning to transfer to Etihad Guest, June 29 is your deadline.
Redemptions Worth Booking Before the Deadline
If you have Membership Rewards points and want to lock in value before June 29, here are a few worth considering:
- Short-haul American Airlines flights. Routes under 500 miles start at around 6,000 Etihad miles plus minimal taxes. Busy business routes like New York to Boston can get expensive in cash — this is a solid alternative.
- JetBlue Mint to Europe. Etihad Guest can be used to book JetBlue's Mint business class product on transatlantic routes at rates that are often more favorable than booking directly through JetBlue TrueBlue. Transatlantic Mint redemptions have been available for around 60,000 miles.
- Etihad's own business and first class. Award availability is generally strong when booking Etihad metal, though pricing is dynamic. Business class on U.S. routes to Abu Dhabi typically runs upward of 120,000 miles.
One important caveat: Etihad Guest has strict cancellation policies. Changes and cancellations aren't permitted within 72 hours of departure, and earlier changes can result in losing a significant portion of your miles. Make sure you're booking something you're confident about.
What Happens After June 29
Etihad Guest isn't going away entirely as a transfer destination — it's just losing Amex as a partner. Bilt Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou Points all still transfer to Etihad Guest at 1:1 and have not announced plans to end the partnership.
If you hold any of those cards, your access to Etihad redemptions remains intact after June 29.
Where to Send Your Amex Points Instead
If Etihad was your primary reason for holding Membership Rewards points, it's worth revisiting your transfer options. Amex has a wide roster of airline and hotel partners, including Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and more.
The best alternative depends on where you're trying to go. If Middle East travel was the goal, Flying Blue and British Airways Avios both offer solid options for Etihad-operated routes when booking through other Star Alliance and oneworld partners.
The Bottom Line
The Amex–Etihad partnership ends June 29. If you have points earmarked for an Etihad or American Airlines redemption through Etihad Guest, transfer them before the deadline. After that, you'll still find value in Etihad Guest through Capital One, Citi, and Bilt — but your Membership Rewards points will need a new home.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level vary by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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