Bilt Rewards continues to expand its list of transfer partners this year. In the past six months, the program has welcomed Southwest Rapid Rewards, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Now, Bilt Rewards has added another exciting partner: Etihad Guest.
Members can now transfer Bilt Points to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio in increments of 1,000 points.
Should you consider transferring your Bilt points to Etihad Guest?
Transfer Bilt Points to Etihad Guest
Etihad Guest collaborates with various airlines across multiple alliances, making it a valuable yet often overlooked loyalty program. The addition of this new transfer option enhances your ability to earn rewards. You can also transfer points from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, and Citi ThankYou Rewards to Etihad Guest.
Etihad Guest features many partners, with key airlines including American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, and KLM. The program employs a one-way, distance-based award chart for each partner airline, but it generally streamlines awards across partners.
For instance, a one-way first-class flight on American Airlines from New York to Los Angeles could cost you 67,000 miles plus $61.
Alternatively, you could fly one-way in economy class on Scandinavian Airlines from New York to Copenhagen for 45,000 miles plus $29.
The options are vast. For inspiration or to assess whether it’s worth transferring to Etihad Guest, explore their partners and award charts or visit Seats.aero to see recent award bookings by other users.
Before making a transfer, consider other Bilt transfer partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, and Atmos Rewards that might offer better options for your desired award. Ensure the award is bookable through Etihad Guest for your preferred date and flight, as transfers are final and cannot be reversed.
Additionally, be aware of Etihad Guest’s restrictive cancellation policies, which vary according to the fare type and cancellation timing. Generally, expect a 25% mileage penalty for cancellations made more than 21 days before departure. Cancelling closer to the flight can incur penalties of 50% or 75%, and cancelling within 24 hours usually offers no refund. This is a significant consideration before transferring points to Etihad Guest.
