American Express launched a couple of new transfer bonuses today to Etihad and Aeromexico, both of which add 20% to your accounts with the respective programs.
The Deal
- Get a 20% bonus when transferring American Express Membership Rewards to the following programs:
- Aeromexico Rewards
- Etihad Guest
Key Terms
- Expires April 30, 2025.
Quick Thoughts
Aeromexico
If you’re not familiar with Aeromexico’s relationship with Membership Rewards, it might initially look like there’s a 92% transfer bonus because 1,000 Membership Rewards becomes 1,920 Aeromexico Rewards points. However, the transfer ratio is normally 1,000:1,600 which is why the 20% bonus makes it 1,920 points for every 1,000 Membership Rewards you transfer.
While award flights booked with Aeromexico points aren’t normally particularly competitive, this 20% transfer bonus could make them worth another look, especially if you want to fly on Delta.
Etihad
Best Uses for Etihad
- Business class to South America on AA from 30-50K each way. Etihad's award chart for American Airlines flights is very competitive, starting at 30K miles each way (includes Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, Belize, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, and Venezuela).
- Business class to Europe from 80K each way. Etihad Guest offers good value for flying on American Airlines, Brussels Airlines, or Royal Air Maroc between the US and Europe. Pricing starts at 80K each way in business class on Brussels Airlines or to Casablanca on Royal Air Maroc (connections to Europe will add additional miles and fuel surcharges around $170 each way) or in business class on American Airlines (no fuel surcharges).
Things to Know
- Etihad has a punitive cancellation policy for all award bookings whereby you’ll lose a significant chunk of miles for cancelling your flight. If you cancel more than 21 days in advance, you’ll lose 25% of the miles used. If you cancel between 7 and 21 days in advance, you’ll lose 50% of the miles used. If you cancel within 7 days but at least 24 hours in advance, you’ll lose 75% of the miles used. Within 24 hours of departure, you’ll lose 100% of the miles used.
- Etihad also has a brutal expiration policy: miles will are valid for a period of 18 months, and that can only be extended if you take a flight with Etihad or a partner airline and credit it to Etihad Guest.
- Book Etihad, AA, Air Canada or Virgin Australia awards online. All others must be booked by calling Etihad Guest at 1-877-690-0767.
- Etihad phone agents have historically had trouble booking partner awards, though the new call center in Serbia appears to be quite competent. If your agent appears to be having trouble, you might want to HUCA (hang up, call again).
- Transfer from: Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Citi Thank You Marriott Bonvoy
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Doesn’t Ethiad also book to jetBlue for Paris to NYC? Or is that not a good use for biz class?
It does, but those cancellation fees scare most people.
This an April Fool’s joke?
Did you try checking amex.com? It is confirmed on there.