American Express Removes Etihad Airways Transfers From 1 July 2026
American Express has confirmed that Etihad Guest will be removed as a Membership Rewards transfer partner globally from 1 July 2026. The last date to transfer Amex points to Etihad Guest Miles is 30 June 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. After that, the option will no longer be available.
For users who were planning to use Amex points for Etihad flight redemptions, this is an important change to check before the deadline.
What Is Changing?
Etihad Guest is being removed as an Amex Membership Rewards transfer partner globally
Amex cardholders can transfer Membership Rewards points to Etihad Guest Miles only until 30 June 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
This does not mean Etihad Guest Miles are shutting down. It only means Amex points will no longer be transferable to Etihad Guest after the deadline.
Your existing Etihad Guest Miles are not mentioned as affected by this change.
Current Transfer Ratio
The current transfer ratio is:
2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Etihad Guest Mile
This ratio is important if you are calculating how many Etihad Guest Miles you can still receive before making a transfer.
Who Are All Affected By This Change?
This change mainly affects Amex cardholders who use Membership Rewards points for airline redemptions and had Etihad Guest in mind. It may matter more if you regularly fly Etihad, were saving points for an Etihad redemption, or were planning to transfer Amex points closer to a future booking.
Other Credit Card Routes to Etihad Guest.
Yes, American Express is not the only way to earn Etihad Guest Miles through credit card reward points in India. Some other banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and HSBC, also offer Etihad Guest as a transfer option on eligible cards.
However, the transfer ratio and eligibility can differ from card to card. So if Etihad redemptions are still important to you, check the latest transfer ratio, card eligibility and processing rules before moving points.
What Amex Redemption Options Are Still Available?
Amex cardholders can still use Membership Rewards points in other ways. Airline transfer partners like Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Club, Qatar Privilege Club, Singapore KrisFlyer and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are still available.
If you were planning to use points for Etihad, compare the other airline partners first. The better option will depend on your route, taxes, seat availability and the value you get from the transfer.
Apart from airline transfers, you can also use Amex points for eligible online or in-store purchases, to cover purchases on your card, or for INSTA vouchers from 100+ brands like Amazon, Blinkit, Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, Swiggy and Zomato.
Should You Transfer Points Before the Deadline?
You should transfer only if you already have a clear Etihad redemption in mind. Once Membership Rewards points are transferred to an airline loyalty programme, they cannot be moved back to Amex Membership Rewards. So transferring just because the option is ending may not be the best idea.
If Etihad redemptions matter to you and you already know how you want to use the miles, complete the transfer before the deadline. If not, compare the remaining Amex transfer partners and redemption options before making a decision.
With transfer partners and card benefits changing often, SaveSage can help you track updates, compare redemption options and understand whether moving points before a deadline actually makes sense. You can also check the latest available options in the card section of the app before making a transfer.
