Etihad and Southwest unveil loyalty partnership for 2027

Etihad Guest, the award-winning loyalty programme of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, and Rapid Rewards, the loyalty programme of Southwest Airlines, the leading carrier for nonstop domestic travel in the US, have announced a new partnership that will allow members to earn and redeem rewards across both airlines’ networks.

Starting in spring 2027, Etihad Guest members will be able to earn Etihad Guest Miles on eligible Southwest Airlines flights and redeem them for reward travel across Southwest’s network, which spans the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Similarly, Rapid Rewards members will be able to earn points on eligible Etihad Airways flights and redeem them for travel across the airline’s expanding global network, including new destinations such as Krabi, Zanzibar and Hanoi.

“We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Southwest Airlines and Rapid Rewards, an exciting addition to our growing portfolio of loyalty partners and Etihad’s presence across North America. We look forward to welcoming Rapid Rewards members onboard Etihad soon, to explore our growing global network and experience our signature hospitality, while offering Etihad Guest members greater access to destinations across the United States, Central America and the Caribbean. This partnership brings together two programmes with a shared focus on rewarding loyalty and giving members greater choice wherever their journeys take them,” said Mark Potter, Managing Director, Etihad Guest.

“Our international loyalty partnership with Etihad Guest will give Rapid Rewards members even more value from their membership and create exciting opportunities to earn and redeem points across Etihad’s global network beginning in Spring 2027. We’re pleased to connect our Members with more destinations and rewarding travel experiences, while welcoming Etihad Guest members to enjoy the Southwest Airlines network providing access to dozens of destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean,” said Nandika Suri, Vice President Rapid Rewards, Southwest Airlines.

Etihad Guest Miles can be redeemed for flights, cabin upgrades, hotel stays worldwide, holidays and a wide range of products available through the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. Rapid Rewards, meanwhile, offers members a simple and flexible way to earn and use points. Members can earn points on all fares and redeem them for any available seat on Southwest-operated flights, with no blackout dates and no expiry on points.

Etihad operates direct flights to Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York City and Washington in the United States, as well as Toronto in Canada. The airline is set to launch direct flights to Calgary on 25 October. Passengers travelling to the US via Zayed International Airport can also benefit from Abu Dhabi’s US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the only one of its kind in the region. The facility allows passengers to complete US immigration and customs checks before departure, enabling them to arrive in the United States as domestic travellers and save time on arrival.

Etihad said further details about the partnership will be available on its website, etihad.com, following its launch next year.