Deal alert: Widespread Etihad business-class award space bookable through Aeroplan
Etihad business class is a comfortable way to fly. Whether you want to visit Etihad's hub (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) or connect to another destination, you may have been waiting for award availability to appear for an upcoming trip.
If so, this might be your lucky day if you were hoping to originate in the U.S. and book more than one seat. There are multiple business-class seats on many dates for Chicago, Washington and New York, as first reported on Rapid Travel Chai. Here's what you need to know.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for more TPG news and deals delivered each morning to your inbox.
The deal
Airline: Etihad.
Routes: Chicago, New York and Washington to/from Abu Dhabi and various connecting destinations.
Cost: From 85,000 Aeroplan points plus 48 Canadian dollars (about $37) per person one-way for business class.
Dates: September 2022 through July 2023 (not on every date; spotty throughout).
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
Related: The best way to book Etihad award flights with transferable points
Sample itineraries
Chicago to Abu Dhabi one-way in October 2022
New York to Abu Dhabi one-way in February 2023
Washington to Abu Dhabi one-way in April 2023
Washington to Male, Maldives, one-way in April 2023
Washington to Johannesburg one-way in April 2023
Earning Aeroplan points
There are many ways to earn Aeroplan points. One of the quickest methods is to transfer points to Aeroplan from the following programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards points: Transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
- Bilt Rewards points: Transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
- Capital One miles: Transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards points: Transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
- Marriott Bonvoy points: Transfer at a 3:1 ratio.
Be sure to consider the expected transfer times, though. Transfers from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Capital One are generally instant, while transfers from Marriott Bonvoy usually take four days.
Purchasing Aeroplan points is also an option, especially if you don't have enough transferable rewards.
Related: The best ways to maximize Air Canada’s Aeroplan program
Maximize your purchase
Air Canada lets you add one stopover per one-way flight for 5,000 Aeroplan points. However, you'll need to call Air Canada to book if you want to add a stopover; check out our guide to adding a stopover to your Aeroplan award ticket for more information.
Savvy travelers may also remember that you can book Etihad award flights through American Airlines AAdvantage (usually at lower rates than with Aeroplan). Air Canada's Aeroplan seems to be getting more award availability from Etihad than AAdvantage. Even so, if you already have AAdvantage miles and find an Etihad award bookable through Aeroplan, it's worth calling American to see if they see the same award availability.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $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.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $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.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees