5 Best Etihad Flights To Book With Etihad Guest Miles [Transfer from American Express^® Membership Rewards Points]

Etihad Guest recently made updates to its loyalty program to reduce the price of award tickets — with a particular emphasis on some of the airline’s busiest routes.

Let’s look at some sweet spot redemptions you might wish to explore with the best Etihad routes to book.

American Express Membership Rewards^® Points* and Etihad Guest Points Transfer — Details

Etihad Guest employs a distance-based award chart to calculate the minimum number of Miles you’ll need to redeem for a flight based on the distance of the route. Here’s an overview of the chart when redeeming Miles on Etihad’s flights:

As Etihad has recently announced loyalty program changes, including the reduction in the Miles necessary on several routes.

Fortunately, eligible American Express Card members can transfer American Express Membership Rewards^® points to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio. Here are a few of our favorite Amex consumer cards:

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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!

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

American Express^® Gold Card

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!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

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

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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5 Award Flights To Book With Etihad Guest

1. First Class From Abu Dhabi to London (and Vice Versa) for 140,000 Miles

Etihad Airways operates its jumbo Airbus A380 aircraft with its luxurious first class suite known as “The Apartment” on the Abu Dhabi (AUH) to London (LHR) route. Traveling in style on this 7-hour flight and enjoying an onboard shower, caviar, and a fully flat bed would cost you 140,000 Miles.

It’s worth mentioning that this route costs 120,000 Miles one-way, according to Etihad’s distance-based award table. However, it is operated by the airline’s Boeing 787-9, which does not include Etihad’s renowned The Apartment First Class suite.

As a result, you’ll want to pay a few extra Miles and book the Airbus A380 at a rate of 140,000 Miles, including $395 in taxes. The one-way first-class ticket between the 2 cities would typically run you around $5,000 on average.

Based on our estimation of Etihad Guest Miles, you would achieve a great redemption value of 4 cents per Membership Rewards^® points by redeeming Miles via Etihad Guest for this bucket-list-worthy flight.

2. Business Class From Abu Dhabi to Istanbul (and Vice Versa) for 35,000 Miles

Despite the significant changes made to the Etihad Guest program over time, it continues to offer solid value, particularly when booking Etihad business class.

Etihad’s flights between its Abu Dhabi and Istanbul hub are serviced by an Airbus A321 and Boeing 787-9. The Boeing 787-9 features a luxurious business class offering direct aisle access, lie-flat seats, and on-demand dining, allowing passengers to select from the menu and dine at their convenience.

You can book this 5-hour journey between the 2 cities in style for 35,000 Miles and $34 in taxes.

With the flight costing nearly $2,500, you’re effectively netting an impressive 6.8 cents per Membership Rewards^® points on your redemption with our valuation of Etihad Guest Miles.

3. New York to Abu Dhabi in First Class for 200,000 Miles

Do you think 13 hours on an airplane is painfully long? It might be in the back of the bus, but we can almost guarantee it won’t feel that way when flying in Etihad first class from New York to Abu Dhabi.

The direct journey from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) is 6,892 Miles long, so you’ll need to redeem 200,000 Miles to fly The Apartment from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi.

With cash rates for this flight soaring over $13,000, using your Etihad Guest Miles to enjoy luxury in the sky for 13 hours is a great option.

4. Muscat, Oman, in Business Class for As Little as 12,000 Miles

One place that doesn’t have direct flights from the U.S. is Oman. You can fly to the Middle East and get to Muscat from nearby major cities, such as Abu Dhabi.

Etihad business class is one of the best ways to get to Muscat, Oman (MCT). For the short 1-hour trip, award rates start at 15,000 Miles in business class and $181 in taxes.

Although the flight to Oman is quick, you’ll reach your destination comfortably with Etihad’s A320 business class. As such, you’d nab close to 4 cents per Membership Rewards^® point on your award compared to $775 cash rates (estimated from our valuations of Etihad Guest Miles).

5. Chicago to Cairo for 150,000 Miles One-Way in Business Class

Booking award flights with Etihad Guest directly offers a great benefit — the Etihad free stopover program in Abu Dhabi. This program provides passengers up to 2 complimentary hotel nights before continuing to their final destination, courtesy of Etihad Airways.

That means if you find award space, you can travel from Chicago to Abu Dhabi, visit the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, explore the city for a few days, and then take off to witness the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo if you wish, all for 150,000 Miles in business class.

Final Thoughts

The Etihad Guest loyalty program has experienced various updates over time, yet there remains significant value in using Etihad Guest Miles for travel on the airline. Even better, eligible card members can transfer Membership Rewards^® points to the Etihad Guest program.

*Membership Rewards^® Program

Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards^® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.

The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.