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We already knew that American Express U.S. is set to drop Etihad as a transfer partner, but it appears that this is happening worldwide. Alerts have been added to American Express transfer partners' pages across the globe, including in Germany, Canada, and the UK. If you hold a card issued in one of these regions, here's what you need to know.
Amex Removing Etihad as a Transfer Partner Worldwide
American Express cardholders worldwide will lose access to Etihad as a transfer partner. This phase-out will happen throughout June. Here's when eligible transfers must be completed:
- Germany: June 15
- Canada: June 20
- UK/ICC: June 22
- U.S.: June 30
In Germany, there's an alert on the transfer partners page:
“Please note: Point transfer to Etihad Gust loyalty program only possible until 15.06.2026.”
Cardholders saw this notice on the Canada transfer partners page:
“Effective June 20, 2026, Etihad Airways Etihad Guest loyalty program will no longer be available as a Membership Rewards® transfer partner in Canada. Eligible Cardmembers must complete any point transfers to Etihad Guest by this date.”
And on the UK transfer partners page:
“Important Information: From 11:59PM 22 June 2026, Etihad Airways will no longer be available to UK and ICC Cardmembers as an Amex® Travel Loyalty Partner for Membership Rewards® points transfers. UK and ICC Cardmembers who wish to transfer points to Etihad Airways should do so before 11:59PM 22 June 2026.”
After June, if you want to transfer points and miles to Etihad Guest, you'll still be able to do so from Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points, Bilt Rewards, and Rove Miles, along with a variety of hotel loyalty programs.
Bottom Line
This isn't necessarily a surprising move from American Express. Although each country has its own set of transfer partners, there is a lot of overlap. When the partnership fails in one country, it isn't shocking that it will happen in other countries as well.
We saw the same situation play out with Amex's partnership with Emirates. The transfer devaluation was first announced for the U.S. before jumping the pond to the UK.
Interesting, we are seeing the same timeline play out here — U.S. cardholders received much more advanced notice to make any transfers before the change goes into effect. Cardholders in Germany, Canada, and the UK have less than a month to transfer their Membership Rewards to Etihad Guest Miles for last-minute redemptions.
