Best Ways To Book Etihad Business Class With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

Updated: March 18, 2024, 8:53am CDT

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Best Ways To Book Etihad Business Class With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

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While Etihad Airways may be most known for its first class product, The Apartment, we shouldn’t forget the excellent business class product it offers.

Though not as flashy as the first class product, Etihad business class is a great way to experience one of the world’s premier airlines in a premium cabin. You’ll get a lie-flat seat with direct aisle access, gourmet food, and Etihad’s terrific onboard service.

Let’s take a closer look at what makes Etihad one of the world’s best airlines, and look at the award programs you can use to book this fantastic business class product with points and miles.

A Look Inside Etihad Business Class

Etihad’s business class experience starts on the ground. Once at the airport, you’ll have lounge access where you can enjoy Etihad’s excellent catering and your choice of beer, wine, or liquor. When flying business class, get to the airport early so you have a chance to relax in the lounge for a bit.

If you aren’t departing from Etihad’s hub in Abu Dhabi (AUH), you’ll still have access to its partner lounges at airports around the world.

Etihad Airways Airbus A380 Business Studio Seat — Relax in your lie-flat business class seat with Etihad. Image Credit: Greg Stone

Once on board, you will be amazed at what Etihad has to offer. Seats on Etihad business class vary by aircraft type, but you can expect to have a lie-flat seat. Etihad business class definitely comes through on that front, but takes it a step further with comfortable seats and plush bedding.

All business class seats on its wide-body aircraft provide direct aisle access.

With Etihad, you can also expect a full dining experience. Etihad offers on-demand dining where you can choose whatever you want from the menu and when you want to have your meal.

This is a great service, as you can eat whenever you’re hungry and not at a specific point during the flight.

How To Book Etihad Business Class

Now that you have an idea of what to expect when flying Etihad business class, let’s look at some of the programs you can use to book this experience with your miles and points.

Etihad Guest

Although the Etihad Guest program has undergone some major changes over the years, it still holds value, especially when booking Eithad business class.

For redemptions on Etihad, the program has a published distance-based award chart with introductory award pricing. However, dynamic pricing applies to Etihad redemptions.

Here’s the introductory award pricing for an Etihad business class flight:

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Distance Band	Etihad Guest Pricing for Etihad Business Class
0 to 500	20,000
501 to 1,000	25,000
1,001 to 1,500	30,000
1,501 to 2,000	45,000
2,001 to 2,500	50,000
2,501 to 3,000	60,000
3,001 to 4,000	70,000
4,001 to 5,000	75,000
5,001 to 6,000	100,000
6,001+	110,000

Etihad has a Miles calculator that you can use to see how many miles you need for an award redemption. However, this calculator shows the minimum number of miles needed for redemption. In reality, awards require more miles most of the time.

For flights between the U.S. and Abu Dhabi (AUH), you can expect to pay upwards of 110,000 miles one-way in business class.

Follow these steps to book your flight:

Head to Etihad’s website.
Select your route, travel dates, and class of service.
Select “Pay with miles.”
You will be prompted to log in.
Select your desired flight.
- Find Guest Business award space.
Review the mileage cost and the taxes and fees.
Complete your business class booking.

Earning Etihad Guest Miles

Etihad Guest is a transfer partner of several transferrable points currencies, including American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

You can transfer points from American Express, Capital One, or Citi at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Etihad Guest miles when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points in a single transaction.

Transfers from Amex and Citi are almost instant, while Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy take 36 hours and 3 business days, respectively.

Hot Tip:

Check out our guide on the Best Ways To Redeem Etihad Guest Miles for Max Value.

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Cons

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This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

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Pros

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No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
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Cons

$250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
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Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
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25 Elite Night Credits each year
Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
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Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

Steep annual fee of $650 (rates and fees)
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With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
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American Airlines AAdvantage

The American Airlines AAdvantage program is quite possibly the best partner program for booking Etihad business class seats.

Although the AAdvantage loyalty program has gone through some major devaluations over the past few years, it still provides a ton of value. This is especially true when redeeming American AAdvantage miles for partner awards.

For American-operated flights, American Airlines uses dynamic pricing. However, for partner awards, American Airlines has a simple award chart where award pricing is not dynamically priced. Since partner redemptions are not dynamically priced, you will know exactly how many miles it will cost for award flights.

Between the U.S. and the Middle East, American Airlines charges 70,000 miles for a one-way Etihad business class award. This is significantly less than what the Etihad Guest program charges for the flights.

Best of all, it is quite simple to book American partner awards online. To do so, follow these steps:

Head to the American Airlines website.
Select your route, travel dates, and class of service.
Select “Redeem Miles.”
Click on the calendar to get 30-day award availability.
Select “Business/First.”
Select your desired flight.
Review the mileage cost and the taxes and fees.
Complete your business class booking.

Earning American Airlines Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage is a transfer partner of Marriott Bonvoy and Bilt Rewards. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to AAdvantage at a 3:1 ratio within 2 days. Bilt Rewards transfers at a 1:1 ratio.

American Airlines also has several co-branded credit cards issued by Citi and Barclays.

Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan is another excellent partner award program to book Etihad business class flights.

The program is considered one of the best loyalty programs thanks to its published partner award charts. Aeroplan also has a ton of airline partners (both Star Alliance and non-alliance), does not pass on fuel surcharges, and allows for stopovers on bookings, including one-way award tickets.

For partner awards, Aeroplan uses a zone-based award chart for partner awards and factors in the total distance flown. This means that the farther you fly, the more Aeroplan points you will generally need.

Aeroplan divides the world into 4 regions: North America, the Atlantic, the Pacific, and South America. The U.S. is in the North America zone, and Abu Dhabi (and the entirety of the Middle East) is in the Atlantic zone.

Aeroplan region map for awards — Aeroplan divides the world into 4 regions. Image Credit: Aeroplan

Here is the award chart for partner award flights between the North America and Atlantic zones:

Aeroplan award chart NA Atlantic — Aeroplan award chart for partner flights between North America and Atlantic zones. Image Credit: Aeroplan

Award pricing depends on the total distance flown. Fortunately, all the destinations that Etihad serves in the U.S. fall in the 6,001 to 8,000-mile distance band. These awards can be booked for 90,000 Aeroplan points one-way in business class, including on Etihad.

Best of all, Aeroplan does not pass on carrier-imposed surcharges on any Etihad bookings, making using your Aeroplan points an even more attractive option.

Aeroplan also allows you to redeem an extra 5,000 points to add a stopover to your booking, which is an excellent way to see 2 destinations. However, you will need to be careful not to fall into the next distance band as award pricing will increase further.

Here’s what you need to know to make a booking:

Head to Air Canada’s website and log into your Aeroplan account.
Select your route, travel dates, and class of service.
Select “Book with Aeroplan points.”
Perform the search, redeem your Aeroplan points, and pay for the taxes and fees using a credit card.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Air Canada Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All programs transfer at a 1:1 rate to Aeroplan, aside from Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to Aeroplan. For every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer, you get a 5,000-mile bonus.

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Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
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Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

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No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
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Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
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A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.
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The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

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TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

$550 annual fee
Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
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Bottom Line:

Air Canada Aeroplan is an excellent way to redeem points for a business class award on Etihad. The program does not pass on fuel surcharges and allows for stopovers for 5,000 points.

Great Etihad Business Class Redemptions

Etihad Airways Airbus A380 Business Class Cabin Mood Lighting — Try flying business class on Etihad’s Airbus A380. Image Credit: Greg Stone

For business class redemptions on Etihad, both Air Canada Aeroplan and American Airlines AAdvantage have better rates than Etihad Guest. This is because Aeroplan and AAdvantage do not have dynamic pricing on Etihad flights.

Carrier-imposed surcharges are also considerably less on Aeroplan and AAdvantage partner bookings when compared to Etihad Guest.

The best frequent flyer program will also depend on what exact route you’re flying, which is why we’ve built this table that walks you through how much each of the 3 frequent flyer programs charges for some popular Etihad flights:

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Route (One-Way)	Etihad Miles Cost (Starting Price)	Aeroplan Points Cost	American AAdvantage Miles Cost
Chicago (ORD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	110,000 miles + taxes and fees	85,000 points + taxes and fees	70,000 miles + taxes and fees
London (LHR) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	70,000 miles + taxes and fees	45,000 points + taxes and fees	42,500 miles + taxes and fees
New York (JFK) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	110,000 miles + taxes and fees	85,000 points + taxes and fees	70,000 miles + taxes and fees
Sydney (SYD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	120,000 miles + taxes and fees	100,000 points + taxes and fees	80,000 miles + taxes and fees
Tokyo (NRT) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	100,000 miles + taxes and fees	80,000 points + taxes and fees	40,000 miles + taxes and fees
Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	120,000 miles + taxes and fees	85,000 points + taxes and fees	70,000 miles + taxes and fees
Zurich (ZRH) – Abu Dhabi (AUH)	60,000 miles + taxes and fees	45,000 points + taxes and fees	42,500 miles + taxes and fees

How To Earn Enough Miles for Etihad Business Class

Here are the transferable currencies you can use for Etihad business class:

Amex Membership Rewards points transfer almost instantly to Air Canada Aeroplan and Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio.
Bilt Rewards points transfer almost instantly to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio.
Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer almost instantly to Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
Citi ThankYou Points transfer almost instantly to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio.
Capital One miles transfer in around 36 hours to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio and Air Canada Aeroplan almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.
Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage (2 days), Air Canada Aeroplan (5 days), and Etihad Guest (3 days) at a 3:1 ratio.

Miles Plus Cash

If you are short on Etihad Guest miles, the program allows members to purchase Etihad Guest miles. You can buy up to 100,000 miles every year, or 150,000 miles if you’re an Etihad Guest Platinum member.

When Should You Search for Award Space?

Etihad business class inventory is generally easy to find as Etihad releases a good amount of award space. Although the edge goes to those booking far in advance, it’s generally pretty easy to find availability close to departure.

Award space can open up more than 300 days prior to departure. It also becomes more readily available in the last couple of weeks before departure.

For this reason, it’s best to check Etihad’s site regularly if you don’t see space during your first search.

What Do You Get With Etihad Business Class?

Let’s look a little deeper at the great aspects of Etihad business class.

Etihad Premium Lounge

Etihad U.S. Premium Lounge, Abu Dhabi — When flying out of cities worldwide, you can enjoy lounge access. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

In Abu Dhabi (AUH), you will have access to Etihad’s new lounges at its brand-new terminal.

Etihad also provides a first and business class lounge in London (LHR) and has partnerships with lounges worldwide to make your trip more enjoyable.

Business Class Catering

From the meals in the business class lounge to the meals you’ll enjoy on your flight, you will always be well-fed when flying business class.

As with Etihad’s first class, business class passengers can also get on-demand dining service. Just check out the menu, decide what you want to eat, and let your flight attendant know what you’d like and when you’d like to have it.

Final Thoughts

Etihad always earns high praise, and its business class experience is one of the reasons why. If you’re looking for an awesome business class product, Etihad provides just that. Best of all, there are multiple programs you can use to book an Etihad business class award.

There are several ways to earn the points necessary to book this ticket, making the experience accessible to just about anyone. The next time you’re flying through the Middle East, give Etihad a try — you won’t regret it!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express^® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express^® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Etihad

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to sign up for an Etihad Guest account?

Yes, it is free to sign up for an Etihad Guest loyalty account. You can create a free account on Etihad’s website.

How many miles does American Airlines charge for Etihad business class?

American Airlines has a standard partner award chart. American AAdvantage charges 70,000 miles for business class flights between the U.S. and the Middle East.

What do I get when flying Etihad business class?

Etihad’s business class product provides a great lie-flat seat with direct aisle access. You can also enjoy its dine-on-demand service.

Is Etihad business class any good?

Absolutely! Etihad business class is especially good on the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A350 aircraft, thanks to the Business Studio product.

What is the best way to book Etihad business class?

The best programs to use to book Etihad business class awards are Air Canada Aeroplan, American Airlines AAdvantage, and Etihad Guest.

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About Ehsan Haque

Ehsan is an avid traveler who has traveled to 100 countries, diligently using points and miles to fund his journeys. Currently, he holds 32 active credit cards and earns over a million points and miles annually, primarily using them for luxury hotels and long-haul premium cabins.

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