Overview
Etihad Guest lost its biggest U.S. feeder on June 30, 2026, when American Express removed it from the Membership Rewards transfer list. The program still works, and Capital One, Citi, Bilt, Marriott, Hyatt, and Accor all still transfer in, but the calculation changed for anyone who was banking Amex points for an Etihad booking.
This guide covers what remains, the five elite tiers and the temporary discount on their thresholds, and the expiration rule that trips people up more than any other part of the program. For the cards that still reach it, see our roundup of the best credit cards.
Etihad Guest overview
Etihad Guest is the loyalty program of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Abu Dhabi. Members earn miles on Etihad and partner flights, on hotel and car bookings, and by moving points in from bank and hotel programs.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airline | Etihad Airways, hub in Abu Dhabi |
| Elite tiers | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Emerald |
| Status currency | Tier Miles or Tier Segments |
| Miles expiration | 18 months without qualifying flight activity |
| Bank partners | Capital One, Citi ThankYou, Bilt |
| Hotel partners | Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, Accor ALL |
| No longer a partner | Amex Membership Rewards, removed June 30, 2026 |
How to earn Etihad Guest miles
Transfer credit card points
Three U.S. bank currencies still transfer into Etihad Guest, and three hotel programs do as well. Amex is the notable absence, and it is a recent one.
| Program | Ratio | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | Usually immediate |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards | 1:1 | About an hour |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | Fast |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3:1 | 5,000 bonus miles per 60,000 transferred |
| World of Hyatt | Varies | Hotel program transfer |
| Accor ALL | Varies | Hotel program transfer |
Fly Etihad and partners
Flights on Etihad and its partner airlines earn miles based on fare and distance. Etihad is not part of a global alliance, so its partner list is bilateral rather than alliance-wide, which makes it worth checking whether a specific carrier credits before you fly.
Etihad Guest elite status
Members start at Bronze and climb through Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with Emerald above that. Qualification runs on Tier Miles or Tier Segments, whichever you reach first.
| Tier | Tier Miles | Tier Segments |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 25,000 | 20 |
| Gold | 50,000 | 40 |
| Platinum | 125,000 | 60 |
Do Etihad Guest miles expire?
Yes, and the rule is stricter than it looks. For Bronze, Silver, and Gold members, miles expire after 18 months without qualifying flight activity. Platinum and Emerald members keep their miles indefinitely.
Is Etihad Guest worth it?
Etihad flies a strong premium product and connects the U.S. to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa through Abu Dhabi. For those routes, having a way to book with points is genuinely useful, and Capital One and Citi both reach it at 1:1.
- Amex is gone: The largest U.S. transferable currency no longer feeds the program.
- Flight-only expiration reset: Transfers and purchases will not keep your balance alive.
- No alliance: Partner coverage is bilateral, so it is thinner than a oneworld or Star Alliance program.
Bottom line
Etihad Guest is now a transfer-on-demand program rather than a place to park miles. Build the balance when you have a booking in hand, use Capital One or Citi to get there, and remember that only flying resets the 18-month clock.
If you have been saving Amex points for Etihad, redirect them: Qatar Airways Privilege Club covers much of the same region and still takes Amex at 1:1. For more, see our guide to the best travel credit cards and subscribe to our newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions about Etihad Guest
Can I still transfer Amex points to Etihad Guest?
No. American Express removed Etihad Guest from its Membership Rewards transfer partners, with the U.S. cutoff on June 30, 2026. Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Bilt Rewards remain the bank routes into the program.
Do Etihad Guest miles expire?
For Bronze, Silver, and Gold members, miles expire after 18 months without qualifying flight activity. Platinum and Emerald members keep their miles indefinitely. Buying miles or transferring points in does not reset the clock; only a flight does.
How do I reach Etihad Guest Silver status?
Silver normally requires 25,000 Tier Miles or 20 Tier Segments in a qualifying year. However, between March 18, 2026 and March 31, 2027, Etihad cut the Silver, Gold, and Platinum thresholds by 25%, which makes this the cheapest window in years.
Which hotel programs transfer to Etihad Guest?
Marriott Bonvoy at 3:1, with 5,000 bonus miles when you move 60,000 Bonvoy points in one transaction, plus World of Hyatt and Accor ALL. Those hotel routes became more useful once Amex dropped the program.
Is Etihad in an airline alliance?
No. Etihad runs bilateral partnerships rather than belonging to oneworld, SkyTeam, or Star Alliance. As a result, the partner list is narrower, so check whether a specific airline credits to Etihad Guest before you book a flight expecting miles.
What should I do with Amex points now?
Look at Qatar Airways Privilege Club, which still takes Amex Membership Rewards at 1:1 and covers much of the same part of the world through Doha. Our Privilege Club guide walks through the transfer routes and the Qsuite business class product.
