Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and US carrier Southwest Airlines will link their loyalty programs from spring 2027, allowing members to earn and redeem rewards on each other’s flights, Etihad said on Friday, October 16.
Members of Etihad Guest will be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on eligible Southwest flights. They will be able to redeem those miles for reward travel across Southwest’s network in the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Members of Southwest’s Rapid Rewards program will be able to earn points on eligible Etihad flights and redeem them across the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s network. Etihad named Krabi, Zanzibar and Hanoi among its newer destinations.
The airlines did not disclose financial terms, earning rates or redemption rules. Etihad said further details would be published on its website after the partnership launches next year.
Mark Potter, managing director of Etihad Guest, called the agreement “an exciting addition to our growing portfolio of loyalty partners and Etihad’s presence across North America.”
Nandika Suri, vice president of Rapid Rewards at Southwest Airlines, said the partnership would “create exciting opportunities to earn and redeem points across Etihad’s global network beginning in Spring 2027.”
Etihad flies direct to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City and Washington in the United States, and to Toronto in Canada. Direct flights to Calgary are due to start on October 25, the airline said.
Passengers flying to the United States through Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport can clear US immigration and customs before departure at a US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility. Etihad says it is the only such facility in the region.
Etihad described Southwest as the leading carrier for nonstop domestic travel in the United States.
Members of American Airlines’ AAdvantage program can already earn and redeem miles on Etihad flights, travel website LoyaltyLobby noted in its report on the partnership.
