From 23 June 2026, you’ll no longer be able to transfer Amex Membership Rewards Points into Etihad Guest. Although it’s sad to lose a transfer partner, Etihad’s loyalty program is now just so much less appealing than it used to be, anyway.
Although you can no longer redeem Velocity Points for Etihad Airways flights, there are still plenty of ways to book Etihad award seats through other frequent flyer programs.
Buying Etihad Guest miles during a promotion can unlock cheap flights when redeeming on Etihad’s partner airlines including Garuda and China Eastern.
Etihad Guest has launched a new status match for Australian residents. Velocity Gold & Platinum members can get Etihad Gold status for up to 18 months.
Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia will end their frequent flyer partnership in June 2025 leaving Qatar Airways as Virgin’s sole Middle Eastern partner airline.