American Airlines and U.A.E. national airline Etihad Airways expand frequent flyer agreement

American Airlines and United Arab Emirates' national airline Etihad Airways have expanded their frequent flyer agreement allowing airline passengers to redeem miles on each other's networks.

Effective Tuesday, members of American's AAdvantage program and Etihad Airways' Etihad Guest frequent flyer program will be able to redeem miles on eligible flights from both carriers, according to a statement issued by American Airlines.

The move would give American Airlines' customers more options for travel to the Middle East, while increasing the destinations directly served by Etihad Airways, said officials from both companies.

In August 2009, both airlines formed a codeshare agreement -- an arrangement to share flights -- that involves a network of more than 50 destinations around the world, according to the statement.