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American Express Canada confirms the departure of Etihad Guest from the list of transfer partners for American Express Membership Rewards (Canada). The deadline falls on June 20, 2026. After this date, you will no longer be able to transfer your points directly to the Abu Dhabi airline’s loyalty program.
This decision follows a trend already observed in other markets, notably in the United States. However, the partnership remains one of the least used in Canada. The loss will therefore be minimal for the majority of Amex cardholders. For business class or first class enthusiasts on Etihad, the impact is more significant.
American Express regularly adjusts its list of airline and hotel partners based on actual member usage. Etihad Guest was among the least popular options on the Canadian side. Few members transferred their points to this program, which justifies the removal.
Furthermore, the Etihad Guest program has a mixed reputation among seasoned travelers. Cancellation policies for award tickets are among the most restrictive in the airline industry. High fees, limited windows: few aspects encourage speculative transfers.
Good news: the end of the direct partnership does not completely close the door to Etihad flights with your Membership Rewards. Several workarounds still provide access to the airline’s network. Here are the main avenues.
You can transfer your Membership Rewards to Marriott Bonvoy, then convert those Bonvoy points to American AAdvantage. AAdvantage then allows you to book Etihad flights, particularly in business class and first class.
The cumulative ratio remains unfavorable, but the option exists for premium itineraries that are difficult to find elsewhere.
Air Canada Aeroplan lists Etihad among its airline partners. You can therefore transfer your Membership Rewards to Aeroplan and search for award seats on Etihad.
Availability remains rare, however. Etihad seats bookable with Aeroplan appear infrequently, especially on the most sought-after routes.
Flying Blue is a partner with Etihad for certain routes. You can therefore transfer your Membership Rewards to Flying Blue and search for award seats on Etihad. Especially since you can now transfer your Membership Rewards to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio. And American Express occasionally offers transfer bonuses (the most recent being 25%).
American Express offers two internal tools: Fixed Points for Travel and Any Travel at Any Time. Both allow you to book an Etihad ticket at the cash fare, paying all or part with your Membership Rewards. The value per point remains modest, but the flexibility compensates for occasional travelers.
If travel with Etihad is on your radar, first check the availability of award seats before transferring. The transfer remains irreversible: once Membership Rewards are converted, they become Etihad Guest miles and stay there. However, never transfer without having confirmed a bookable seat.
For holders of the American Express Cobalt Card, rapid point accumulation allows you to keep several options open. Our AMEX Tutorial: How to Transfer American Express Membership Rewards details the transfer procedure to airline partners step by step.
The departure of Etihad Guest underscores the importance of choosing your bank points ecosystem carefully. Canadian programs each have their strengths. Our comparison RBC Avion Rewards vs. American Express Membership Rewards details the differences between the two main ecosystems in the market.
As a reminder, Amex Membership Rewards transfer to Aeroplan, British Airways Club, Flying Blue, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and several other partners. This diversity remains a major asset. Thus, losing a less-used partner does not significantly weaken the program.
Furthermore, the transfer ratio to Flying Blue recently changed to 1:1. Read our article Amex Membership Rewards: New 1:1 Ratio to Flying Blue Starting January 2026 for details on this improvement.
To maximize Membership Rewards accumulation, several Amex cards stand out in Canada. The Cobalt Card offers 5 points per dollar on groceries and restaurants. The Platinum Card targets frequent travelers with its premium benefits.
Our guide American Express: Which Is the Best Membership Rewards Credit Card for You? compares eligible cards in detail according to your spending profile. For an overview, also consult the best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards.
The removal of Etihad Guest from American Express Canada’s transfer partners on June 20, 2026 does not represent a major blow for the majority of members. However, travelers targeting Etihad’s premium cabins must act before this date or fall back on alternative solutions: Aeroplan, Flying Blue, AAdvantage via Marriott Bonvoy, or Amex Travel options.
This news also reminds us of the importance of regularly monitoring changes to loyalty programs. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed of devaluations, enhancements, and other adjustments affecting your points.
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