Etihad Airways Etihad Guest - Success stories of award booking on Etihad using AA miles

I called American for DEL --> ORD and back for award flight on Etihad and there was none available for the whole month of May.

Anyone have had success booking (maybe for other months also)? dates and miles used please?

I called American for DEL --> ORD and back for award flight on Etihad and there was none available for the whole month of May.

Anyone have had success booking (maybe for other months also)? dates and miles used please?

Im booked KTM-AUH-JFK in F for mid May, the booking took place 10 days prior to depareture, the trick is to keep on calling AA.

Is calling AA the only way to find award availability?

Im booked KTM-AUH-JFK in F for mid May, the booking took place 10 days prior to depareture, the trick is to keep on calling AA.

How many miles and $ you had to pay?

I just flew ETIHAD business class from Washington DC to DELHI in late April. I Booked this one way fare on the phone with AA in February. The cost was 67,500 AA miles and $30. They included the ticket from DC to New York JFK in first class complimentary. The business class product was very nice. I would suggest getting the middle seats so you can make a nice double wide bed.

The Abu Dabhi lounge for ETIHAD is great. They will iron your clothes while you shower after the free massage. The food in the lounge is awesome: Sushi, Indian food, Arabic food, tons of beverages.

The business class seats had massager in them.

And great thing about AA was that I had to change my date of travel and there was no fee since their policy allows free changes if route is same.

I hope this helps you!

I called AA last week looking for a one way award from California to Delhi. I had two options. I could have flown out of SFO on 5/22 but I didn't want to go that soon. The other available flight was out of Austin on 6/11 so I took that one. Gives me a reason to go to Austin and see my sister.

I will be flying AUS-ORD on AA metal first class and then ORD-AUH-DEL on EY metal in business class. 67,500 miles and $30, what a deal.

I called American for DEL --> ORD and back for award flight on Etihad and there was none available for the whole month of May.

Anyone have had success booking (maybe for other months also)? dates and miles used please?

Etihad allocates a small number of seats, and if they are sold out, they are sold out. On any airline, you cannot expect to get award seats in May for travel in May; that is completely unreasonable. Of course, some people will post that they got something at short notice, but some people also win the lottery. It does not mean you will.

To improve your chances, you have to book 11 months in advance, when AA booking opens. Even then there is no guarantee because EY's booking opens a couple of weeks earlier than AA does. Also, for example in J, EY allocates 2 seats per flight, so only 2 seats on ORD-AUH and JFK-AUH (widebodies) but also 2 seats on AUH-{ten cities in India} (narrowbodies). So if one couple books ORD-AUH-BLR, you're out of luck for ORD-AUH-{anywhere else} on that date since ORD-AUH is sold out.

Of course, EY might open up more award seats later, but to find out, you have to check constantly on EY's web site (with an EY FF program membership).

Expertflyer does not show EY awards; KVS does but it does not check and notify you automatically.

If you have some flexibility on departure and destination cities there are actually a fair amount of seats available on EY in May according the the KVS Tool (that's how I found my award ticket).

For example on May 20 DEL-AUH-JFK is available (EY211, EY101) as is HYD-JFK (EY275,EY101). Both in J. (as of 5/12/12).


Domestic tickets in India are not too expensive so maybe looking at BOM or HYD as alternative departure cities would yield some flights, and instead of ORD look at JFK as an option if that's an option for you.

What is KVS tools?
People are using AA miles to book EA, right? Is that only for business class only? or can we use in economy class also? Is there any milage chart shows how many miles needed for different destinations?

Thanks for looking into it.

If you have some flexibility on departure and destination cities there are actually a fair amount of seats available on EY in May according the the KVS Tool (that's how I found my award ticket).
Enjoy your EY Award!

What is KVS tools?
Please see the KVS Availability Tool - AA & AADV (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/722125-kvs-availability-tool-aa-aadv-archived-link.html) Thread in the AA Forum.

People are using AA miles to book EA, right? Is that only for business class only? or can we use in economy class also? Is there any milage chart shows how many miles needed for different destinations?

Awards are available in all 3 Cabins -- please refer to the Award Chart at http://www.AA.com/i18n/disclaimers/aadvantageAllPartnerChart.jsp

EY from AUH to ORD only has J and Y classes while the AUH to JFK is a three class service. If you are okay with flying economy then there are some seats available in May as well, only first class was very difficult to find on short notice.

Just as a point of reference - got LHR/KHI in December, which I understand is a busy season. 2 x Business Class awards (60k miles + tax) , +/- 1 day from the requested days. Need a third seat, so bought the last ticket still works out to be around $1200 per seat in business - what a deal!

We booked 2 x F tix SYD-AUH-CAI with a downgrade to J for the second sector on Christmas Eve last year.

How can you see the award seats available on the EY website? I've signed up with their FF program but the best I can do to possibly see if seats are available is do a dummy booking but when it comes to the "Choose seats" button, no matter what dates I put in, there are no seats showing available. There's a red message saying I don't have enough miles. I'm guessing since it took me to the page, that seats are available?

I booked MLE-AUH in J for 2 in October on one award, and then another award the next day AUH-JFK-RDU in F/Y. I deliberately did two awards so they are separate PNRs to allow me to make use of the car to both drop us off at overnight hotel in Abu Dhabi and pick us up the next day. I may even add an extra night in AUH.

For some odd reason when I look on ExpertFlyer F cabin is showing empty, but when I go to manage my booking on EtihadAirways.com it shows the cabin full and I cannot select seats. I guess I will have to call Etihad to select

For some odd reason when I look on ExpertFlyer F cabin is showing empty, but when I go to manage my booking on EtihadAirways.com it shows the cabin full and I cannot select seats. I guess I will have to call Etihad to select

Since expert flyer does not show award availability using miles on EY, there must be some issue there.

For some odd reason when I look on ExpertFlyer F cabin is showing empty, but when I go to manage my booking on EtihadAirways.com it shows the cabin full and I cannot select seats. I guess I will have to call Etihad to select

You might be confusing the Occupied seat icon with the Available seat icon. If you want us to look, either email us or PM me the flight details.

You might be confusing the Occupied seat icon with the Available seat icon. If you want us to look, either email us or PM me the flight details.

Hey I might be getting old but not senile lol

Now 1 seat is showing occupied. Auh-JFK on 10/24/12

To be clear I think the error is on the EY site showing all seats occupied. Flight is F9 so clearly not all sears can be taken unless they oversell a 12 seat cabin by 9 or more seats

@pcharles - award availability has got nothing to do with ability to lookup availability and seat maps on expertflyer

If you want to see availability for EY, create an Etihad Guest membership and search availability on their website. I have found that the availability on their website is typically mirrored for AA award reservations.

EY seem to block most of their seats (certainly in Biz and especially First) from viewing on line at time of booking. Weird but true - at least every time I look. Thus their recently enhanced upgrade of the site which it is says includes ability to change seats is effectively useless for me. For example yesterday I booked two award seats in F AUH-LHR-AUH for November - no problem with award availability and yet all seats occupied on both flights! Thus a call to them will be needed to get seats allocated as they clearly have most of not all still available. Perhaps they do it to create a false sense of urgency in those of us who set up dummy bookings to check seat availability?

About to embark on BEY-MLE tomorrow on a combo of RJ and EY. For 25k, a bargain in business... Albeit regional business class

This past march I booked 4 tickets via AA using miles - business class, ord-auh direct and first auh-jfk and then caught a connecting aa flight lga-ord. Booked 90 days out.

This past march I booked 4 tickets via AA using miles - business class, ord-auh direct and first auh-jfk and then caught a connecting aa flight lga-ord. Booked 90 days out.

you managed four business class ord-auh on the same flight?

you managed four business class ord-auh on the same flight?

My apologies for not being more specific - 3 award tickets on one flight and 1 on the flight the next day. To be honest, I never tried booking all 4 together as 1 of the people had to fly out the following day due to work so I'm not sure how common getting 4 is. All 4 did fly in first from AUH-JFK together on the same day/flight.

Just put on hold a flight from ORD-AUH-DEL and back in 2 weeks time Sep 6-17 using my AA miles in coach. No biz class available. Not my ideal dates but im hoping I can tighten it in before departure. 90k miles and USD $167 including a 75 early award processing fee.

Scored two business. JFK-AUH-ORD in late fall. We're very excited to try business on this airline. Used AA miles

At a quick glance I couldn't find anything telling me which fare buckets were award seats - but Virgin Australia and KVS showed that there was some quantity of award seats available - called AA, gave them the date and the flight and it was confirmed within 2 minutes.

Very impressed!

Was able to get two RT F seats with AA award: SEA/JFK/AUH/CAI for June. 90k each way pp. Had to call Etihad for seat assignments but that went smoothly and we got the seats we wanted. AUH/CAI is in business as no F available.

Just secured 2 seats in business ORD-AUH and AUH-IAD-ORD & another 2 ORD-LGA/JFK-AUH and AUH-ORD. 67,500 per person, each way for end of March.

Just booked a one-way AUH-LHR for 40k in F in April.

Found availability on Etihad's site, whatever appears at the reduced mileage availability is what the EXP desk could access.

I was able to book three tickets return Abu Dhabi to Sydney return in First class. Very pleased!

A question if anyone knows the answer - could i book all the way Abu Dhabi to Auckland using the same award i.e. First on Ethiad to Syd, then Business on Air NZ/Qantas to Akl? And would it be Air NZ or Qantas? I tried figuring this out with American on the phone - but couldn't get an even slightly coherent answer

Thanks if anyone knows

The only way this would remotely be possible is with a DJ codeshare, but unless it comes up in KVS or Experyflyer as one booking (ie. EYxxx->EYxxxx) then AA can't ticket it on the same award. However as EY don't fly between Australia and NZ I doubt it's possible to ticket it on the same award.

AA redemptions between Australia and NZ are pretty cheap and plentiful though, it's only 10k points each way for economy and 17.5k points for business.

I should mention though that with AA points it would be a QF flight so you wouldn't be able to check your luggage through with EY, you would need to clear customs, collect your bag and check it back in again.

Thanks for the response. I hadn't realised Aus and NZ were treated this way. Qantas works well for me as I have Cathay status - can use the Sydney First lounge, must be the best lounge on Earth

Very happy also with the availability of first class AUH to SYD as well

Just for reference, what are the fare codes for Etihad awards in First, Business and Coach?

Just for reference, what are the fare codes for Etihad awards in First, Business and Coach?

First - O
Business - I
Coach - N

Easily snatched a F seat LHR-AUH for this August and am AUH-SYD in F always in August. The second flight continues then to ADL on QF J.

Awesome!

Booked CDG-AUH in First, by calling AA for later this month, without any problems.

If I can get the two free sedan transfers and 1 hr massage!Just need to know how to book the transfers and massages!

If I can get the two free sedan transfers and 1 hr massage!Just need to know how to book the transfers and massages!

You will require the EY reference (different to AA). Often this is in very small print in the confirmation, if not just call AA and ask. Then log into EY's website Book Chauffer page at http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/_layouts/etihad/obe/limolanding.aspx

It also pays to log into Manage Booking and upload your contact details, select seats and your passport info http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/_layouts/etihad/obe/RetrieveBooking.aspx

I don't believe you can prebook a massage but we have never had issues getting them in the F Lounge.

Managed to book a J award SIN-BNE(EY)-MEL(QF). EY agents managed to reserve me a limo on the day of departure.

I can only ever see two seats in F or J on the European routes. Can anyone confirm is they are likely to open up one more seat if it take those two?

I can only ever see two seats in F or J on the European routes. Can anyone confirm is they are likely to open up one more seat if it take those two?

Unfortunately, I didn't have any luck last month on my AUH-FRA flight, but it's possible another seat opens up closer-in. I checked KVS every day until the day of departure and another F or J seat never became available. I never have been able to find more than 2 F/J on any EY flight other than the ones to Australia.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any luck last month on my AUH-FRA flight, but it's possible another seat opens up closer-in. I checked KVS every day until the day of departure and another F or J seat never became available. I never have been able to find more than 2 F/J on any EY flight other than the ones to Australia.

A pity. I have got 3 F's numerous times. This seems to be a development in the last 6 months or so. Oh well. :(

A pity. I have got 3 F's numerous times. This seems to be a development in the last 6 months or so. Oh well. :(

Yes I have noticed this too. Quite possibly a result of the increase in F redemptions with AA partnership. When the partnership started it was not uncommon to see the entire F cabin available for redemption. Now I never see more than 2. For a family of four, we'd have to do 2F and 2J to have any chance of getting us all on the same trip

Yes I have noticed this too. Quite possibly a result of the increase in F redemptions with AA partnership. When the partnership started it was not uncommon to see the entire F cabin available for redemption. Now I never see more than 2. For a family of four, we'd have to do 2F and 2J to have any chance of getting us all on the same trip

I really feel its unfair of a Airline to only allocate 2 seats for redemption. I only ever use my miles for holidays and that is with family. With a young one I can hardly put him in Business on his own.

I really feel its unfair of a Airline to only allocate 2 seats for redemption. I only ever use my miles for holidays and that is with family. With a young one I can hardly put him in Business on his own.

I agree with the frustration. Though sometimes with as few as 6 seats in an F cabin (like CX), it's understandable

I agree with the frustration. Though sometimes with as few as 6 seats in an F cabin (like CX), it's understandable

Completely. But in business they should have more seats?

Completely. But in business they should have more seats?

Very true. Would not be unreasonable to open up 4 in J particularly given they must often fly half empty. I have seen a few flights where J opens up in the seven days before departure, but that doesn't work for me when going with family. Vacations center around school breaks and in the summer around swim meets. Not much flexibility!

Very true. Would not be unreasonable to open up 4 in J particularly given they must often fly half empty. I have seen a few flights where J opens up in the seven days before departure, but that doesn't work for me when going with family. Vacations center around school breaks and in the summer around swim meets. Not much flexibility!

Its only the High YQ carriers that have availability for those with families.

Its only the High YQ carriers that have availability for those with families.

IIRC, there is none or a small amount of taxes and fees on MH and they have VERY good availability. I've seen 4-5 J seats available for award on the same flight.

IIRC, there is none or a small amount of taxes and fees on MH and they have VERY good availability. I've seen 4-5 J seats available for award on the same flight.

But their route network will only more or less take you to Australia or far East. I was looking at India.

Has anyone used NH or AA to book EY awards 320+ days out? NH agents see much more award space 250-300 days out and absolutely zero 325-330 days out.

Last year, I was able to book EY ORD-AUH-DEL and return 331 days in advance, in J, with AAdvantage miles, over the peak travel period in the second half of Dec 2012. For Dec 2013, however, there is absolutely nothing for ORD-AUH and back.

I was able to get 1 seat in J YYZ-AUH-KHI abot 6 weeks in advance. Very easy booking process and only $60 of tax!

Just booked a flight SYD - AUH 1st class, very happy as its a long flight on a nice product. Question for any SYD experts: will this ticket allow me to use the Qantas loounge at SYD i.e. it is all one terminal I think, so given its an AA code share, is this sufficient?

Just booked a flight SYD - AUH 1st class, very happy as its a long flight on a nice product. Question for any SYD experts: will this ticket allow me to use the Qantas loounge at SYD i.e. it is all one terminal I think, so given its an AA code share, is this sufficient?

You seem to be thinking about One World status based lounge access. For that, your departing flight need to be marketed as well as operated by a OW carrier, so won't work in your case. However, as an Etihad First Class passenger you should have access to Air New Zealand lounge: http://www.etihadairways.com/sites/etihad/au/en/experienceetihad/attheairport/pages/worldlounges.aspx.

Thanks, I thought as a code share AA flight it might work, but the Air NZ lounge in SYD is quite okay IIRC so perfectly acceptable

Last year, I was able to book EY ORD-AUH-DEL and return 331 days in advance, in J, with AAdvantage miles, over the peak travel period in the second half of Dec 2012. For Dec 2013, however, there is absolutely nothing for ORD-AUH and back.

This is the time period I'm looking at too. AA and ANA both tell me that all USA-AUH availability falls off a cliff after Nov 30 to absolute zero. Interestingly there IS AUH-USA space for about a week into December.

I'm guessssssing that EY releases space to partners after several weeks in order to give their own members first pick. Not unreasonable, but I wish I knew the way it's released so I can plan... I also can't seem to figure out why the wide open space extends into December for AUH-USA, but only until Nov 30 for the other direction...

I'm guesssssing that EY releases space to partners after several weeks in order to give their own members first pick. Actually I joined and kept checking on EY's web page as well. Nothing.

Actually I joined and kept checking on EY's web page as well. Nothing.

Interesting... JFK and IAD are showing good Dec availability on EY's site, but ANA and AA can't see any of it. Figured ORD would be the same way...

UPDATE after further research: Now Dec is blacked out entirely (or maybe I was crazy before?) for USA-AUH. AUH-USA is open through mid-Dec. AUH-ICN (random Asia choice) is wide open through January '14 and AUH-SYD is a no-go for most of Dec, but open for Jan '14.

Interesting... JFK and IAD are showing good Dec availability on EY's site, but ANA and AA can't see any of it. Figured ORD would be the same way...

UPDATE after further research: Now Dec is blacked out entirely (or maybe I was crazy before?) for USA-AUH. AUH-USA is open through mid-Dec. AUH-ICN (random Asia choice) is wide open through January '14 and AUH-SYD is a no-go for most of Dec, but open for Jan '14.

Love FT!! I am trying to use AA miles for 2 Biz Class for either 1)USA-AUH in early-mid Dec OR AUH-USA in end of Dec or early to mid Jan- but just called AA and they said 100% no availability. Where did you see the availability you mentioned above> thank you in advance!

Love FT!! I am trying to use AA miles for 2 Biz Class for either 1)USA-AUH in early-mid Dec OR AUH-USA in end of Dec or early to mid Jan- but just called AA and they said 100% no availability. Where did you see the availability you mentioned above> thank you in advance!

Believe it may have been a glitch or I was just wrong. It's still 100% no go on USA routes. AUH-USA is still showing space 10-12 days into Dec depending on the exact route.

I'll be checking daily for EY space, but I've already booked via LHR on AA/BA F, which I'm OK with. I still have the 320k ANA miles I thought I was going to need, but whatever -- that's 14+ round trips to [most of] the Caribbean in coach and I don't believe they charge YQ on US/UA redemptions.

Recently snagged two Business Class seats NRT-AUH-NBO and return, outbound in June, inbound in July. When I was asking about availability, it appeared that 5-6 days each week I asked about had seats available.

I just snagged two F seats from JFK-AUH continuing on in J to MLE in November.

I got to Biz IAD-AUH for end of Oct. Looks like there are a lot of availability end of Oct or early Nov. I joined the Etihad guest program and searched for their lowest freuqent flyer fare AUH-US and US-AUH and found a few dates for Biz for 2 tickets. Good luck FT'ers!

Any success stories of getting 3 in J for USA(IAD or JFK or ORD)-AUH on the same flight. Any USA-AUH flight I check there are only max 5Y and 2J available. Did anybody see more J seats being released once 2seats in J are booked. I don't see any F available.
I am looking for 3 in J for wife and 2 kids (aged 13, 10). I can put older kid in Y hoping another J opens before departure in July. All 3 want to sit together. So if 3rd J doesn't happen, we have to give up J to somebody and move to Y. I am assuming this would be OK with the FA.

Is the chauffeur service provided for award bookings?

Is the chauffeur service provided for award bookings?

Shhhhhhh ;)

Any success stories of getting 3 in J for USA(IAD or JFK or ORD)-AUH on the same flight. Any USA-AUH flight I check there are only max 5Y and 2J available. Did anybody see more J seats being released once 2seats in J are booked. I don't see any F available.
I am looking for 3 in J for wife and 2 kids (aged 13, 10). I can put older kid in Y hoping another J opens before departure in July. All 3 want to sit together. So if 3rd J doesn't happen, we have to give up J to somebody and move to Y. I am assuming this would be OK with the FA.

Nope. I am just like you and need 3 seats to travel. Have tried getting EY on 15-20 occasions since the tie up and never succeeded once in J. Flew F quite a few times ^ as they allocate up to 4 there.

They only allocate 2 to J and are not like other airlines that open up more seats closer to the departure gate. Some people have reported success but I have not so far and have tried checking even till a few hours before departure.

Is the chauffeur service provided for award bookings?This has been discussed before. I got the EY record locator from AA, then went to the web site and used the EY locator to book the chauffeur. No problem at all. Others have been refused over the phone.

I put on hold 3 coach ticket on EY from COK-IAD USING MY AA MILES.

Now, When you book and get a EY PNR , How do you get the real etickets ?

Nope. I am just like you and need 3 seats to travel. Have tried getting EY on 15-20 occasions since the tie up and never succeeded once in J. Flew F quite a few times ^ as they allocate up to 4 there.

They only allocate 2 to J and are not like other airlines that open up more seats closer to the departure gate. Some people have reported success but I have not so far and have tried checking even till a few hours before departure.

actually now I only ever see 2 in F as well :(

2xF and 2xJ is our only option to all fly together

actually now I only ever see 2 in F as well :(

2xF and 2xJ is our only option to all fly together

Yeah I noticed that too recently.

actually now I only ever see 2 in F as well :(

2xF and 2xJ is our only option to all fly together

For June and July, there is no F availability at all from IAD/JFK/ORD. Starting Aug 1st, it is good again, 2F daily.

successfully obtained 2 x J award tix from DUB to AUH for October
Had originally held 2 x award tix DUB/LHR/DXB, but of course BA taxes/fuel etc brought extra to US$900.00 +, now I am only paying about $150.00

For June and July, there is no F availability at all from IAD/JFK/ORD. Starting Aug 1st, it is good again, 2F daily.

They seem to do that seasonally. Dec 1 to Jan 14 is a total black out ex-USA to AUH, but then opens wide up after Jan 14... Of course that's right when I need to travel, so I've made other accommodations... just wish I knew they were going to black that time out before I transferred 320k MR to ANA speculatively...

Just booked BOM-AUH-ORD-AUH-BLR on EY J using AA miles.. middle of april to end of april travel.. having trouble booking seats though..

Can't book chauffeur online. Should I call? Or is there a no-call rule?

Can't book chauffeur online. Should I call? Or is there a no-call rule?

Are you using a EY PNR? What error are you getting?

Just thought I'd add another data point - booked two CDG-AUH-MLE tickets in first to Abu Dhabi and business to Male on November 24.

Are you using a EY PNR? What error are you getting?

Yeah. Unfortunately we were unable to determine your eligibility to book an Etihad Chauffeur. Please contact the Chauffeur Contact Centre on +971(0)2 599-0000 so we can proceed with your chauffeur booking.

Yeah.

I would call it in then. Others have done so in the past when they have faced errors on the website.

Just thought I'd add another data point - booked two CDG-AUH-MLE tickets in first to Abu Dhabi and business to Male on November 24.

Same, booked 2 CDG-AUH-MLE return 3 weeks out for mid-March.

On the outbound one of us is flying out J-J while the other is flying out F-Y as the CDG-AUH was only showing 1F and AUH-MLE was only showing 1J seat. Inboud we're both in Y (no J available) then F, unfortunately with a long stopover as the first connecting flight showed no space in F. Will keep checking though to see if higher class and better timings open up.

The one interesting point was that the inbound AUH-CDG we wanted was showing 2J seats as "guest seat" or whatever the lowest category redemption is named on the EY site, yet when I called AA they could not see any seats. Other than that glitch, agent could see all "guest seats" I could see.

I managed to access the chauffeur booking page on the EY site, though when booking it says chauffeur is "UC due to lack of ticket". Called the Paris service center and the guy said he couldn't book either, blaming it on the IT upgrade. Said he would call the limo company directly to confirm. I'll call back a few days before flying if no news from them.

Just booked two seats in Business using AA miles for SYD-AUH-MLE for 45K each. I was quite please with this value.

Have booked (2) F seats for August 2013 roundtrip IAD-AUH.

I checked on Etihad using the Etihad RecLoc given to me by AA and "class" shows Diamond First on both legs.
Are we eligible for limo xfer in AUH to our hotel?

We will spend 2 nights in Abu Dhabi then continue our vacation to SEZ, then MRU/

Have booked (2) F seats for August 2013 roundtrip IAD-AUH.

I checked on Etihad using the Etihad RecLoc given to me by AA and "class" shows Diamond First on both legs.
Are we eligible for limo xfer in AUH to our hotel?

We will spend 2 nights in Abu Dhabi then continue our vacation to SEZ, then MRU/

Congrats! I have two seats in biz from IAD in late Oct. Would love if you post a trip report after your flight. In any event- yes you should get a free limo transfer to your hotel- actually anywhere in the UAE. According to EY's website so limo is available in DC- but since the first flight is not until March 31st hopefully they will add this service before your flight. They have limos in Chicago and JFK!

We will spend 2 nights in Abu Dhabi then continue our vacation to SEZ, then MRU/

Of course that is on two tickets right? Since AA only allows 24hrs in AUH.

Recently I am not able to see award seats on Etihad's site. I remember being able to check once I logged in to their guest site. How is everyone figuring out the availability?

Congrats! I have two seats in biz from IAD in late Oct. Would love if you post a trip report after your flight. In any event- yes you should get a free limo transfer to your hotel- actually anywhere in the UAE. According to EY's website so limo is available in DC- but since the first flight is not until March 31st hopefully they will add this service before your flight. They have limos in Chicago and JFK!

gogate99:
Thank you - will book the limo online.
Will post pics post-trip; it's our first ever Etihad flight (on F!), so looking forward to the the experience.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistik321
We will spend 2 nights in Abu Dhabi then continue our vacation to SEZ, then MRU/

Originally Posted by onlysuites:
Of course that is on two tickets right? Since AA only allows 24hrs in AUH.

---------------------------------
hi onlysuites:
Yes, we booked separate flights AUH-SEZ.
The brief 2 nights in Abu Dhabi will allow us to try the new St Regis (target opening April 2013 :-)

btw, after Seychelles stay, we fly SEZ-MRU for Mauritius stay.
Then we fly MRU-DXB for a couple of days in Dubai.

But we fly back to the US via Etihad's AUH-IAD flight.
Initially we planned a car transfer from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to catch the Etihad flight at 10AM, or arrive the day before and overnight in Abu Dhabi.
Could we utilize the Etihad limo transfer instead, since the provision does say "anywhere in the UAE", on the day of flight? Dubai to Abu Dhabi is only 80km.

yes you can use the car service to pick you up in Dubai

Could we utilize the Etihad limo transfer instead, since the provision does say "anywhere in the UAE", on the day of flight? Dubai to Abu Dhabi is only 80km.

Done it a few times and it doesn't take more then 45 minutes to get to the center of Dubai (evening time). Since you leave the airport and get onto the expressway straightaway. I have never done this trip during rush hours as I normally get into/leave AUH just after midnight.

Flew in J from JFK-AUH and the car drove us from airport to Dubai. No problem and booked via Etihad website.

Booked 2 J for 14th dec & 1 J for 10th dec using AA miles. Strange, KVS showed CS9 yesterday for these dates but gone today..

When I search using etihadguest I get the following options:
Guest seat
Business saver
Business value
Business freedom


Which do I have to look out for to book with AA?

When I search using etihadguest I get the following options:
Guest seat
Business saver
Business value
Business freedom


Which do I have to look out for to book with AA?

guest seat

Got 2 J and 2 F for August '13. DEL-AUH-IAD.
What are the chances of 2 more F opening up?

Got 2 J and 2 F for August '13. DEL-AUH-IAD.
What are the chances of 2 more F opening up?

No chance whatsoever :)

No chance whatsoever :)

Then I guess someone in J will be taking care of my toddlers :D. Or some lucky couple will get surprise upgrade ^.

Got 2 J and 2 F for August '13. DEL-AUH-IAD.
What are the chances of 2 more F opening up?

No chance. I have tried and failed 7-8 times now. EY will not upgrade a reward booking too. So if the toddlers are stuck in J they will make one of you sit with them or send one upfront.

No chance. I have tried and failed 7-8 times now. EY will not upgrade a reward booking too. So if the toddlers are stuck in J they will make one of you sit with them or send one upfront.

They should not have any problem with me giving up our first class to couple of other business passengers. With only 2 J and 2 F availability, not sure if I have any other option.

They should not have any problem with me giving up our first class to couple of other business passengers. With only 2 J and 2 F availability, not sure if I have any other option.

That happened to me once. I got upgraded to Business from WT+ on BA leaving my wife and kid in WT+ as we were on different PNR's. Had no choice but to offer the seat to the person sitting next to my wife. The look on his face was priceless.

A few months back I was able to successfully book with AA miles 2-J JNB-AUH, overnight in AUH then 2-F AUH-CDG for travel in September.

Discovered that the AUH-CDG flight was now an AF codeshare during that time period with no F, just J. Called and wanted to get the difference between F and J refunded to me and was told since it is now an AF codeshare I would have to cancel and rebook another flight.

Long story short I am now on a flight leaving ~2:00AM instead of roughly seven hours later. Still was able to get F but glad I checked when I did.

This has me nervous about future changes to not only this trip but I am a week shy of booking CDG-AUH-MLE trip for two as well.

A few months back I was able to successfully book with AA miles 2-J JNB-AUH, overnight in AUH then 2-F AUH-CDG for travel in September.


Did you pay JNB-CDG amount of miles or JNB-AUH plus AUH-CDG?

Did you pay JNB-CDG amount of miles or JNB-AUH plus AUH-CDG?

The latter. JNB-AUH plus AUH-CDG. Cost me more miles, but avoided taxes and experience vs BA.

Hi. I'm new to the Etihad forums.

A friend booked on Etihad using AA miles. AA 'mistakenly' cancelled the award booking and after calling AA they have corrected the 'mistake' and sent the info over to Etihad BUT Etihad has not reissued the ticket. It has been 3 weeks and AA says there's nothing more they can do. The flight is in 1 week now.

Do we have an official Etihad rep here that I can reach out to for help?

Or any other suggestions?

Thanks. ^

Hi. I'm new to the Etihad forums.

A friend booked on Etihad using AA miles. AA 'mistakenly' cancelled the award booking and after calling AA they have corrected the 'mistake' and sent the info over to Etihad BUT Etihad has not reissued the ticket. It has been 3 weeks and AA says there's nothing more they can do. The flight is in 1 week now.

Do we have an official Etihad rep here that I can reach out to for help?

Or any other suggestions?

Thanks. ^

How may people have you spoke with at AA? Are you sure they are giving you the right information?

Its a AA award so has to be reissued by AA. EY has nothing to do with the ticketing side of it.

Yes definitely call back to AA.

Also ask them for the EY ticket locator #. This will be different from the AA issued locator #. You will then be able to look on the EY site to help detect if anything is wrong with booking now or in the future.

How may people have you spoke with at AA? Are you sure they are giving you the right information?

Its a AA award so has to be reissued by AA. EY has nothing to do with the ticketing side of it.

The friend has called AA multiple times over the course of 3 weeks, each time escalating the call to a supervisor. This last time (2 days ago) the supervisor promised she will call back today with an update and when she called today, there wasn't any "update".

The AA supervisor says they spoke to their EY liaison who is THE person that talks to EY and that "all AA can do is continue to send EY messages and "wait for an answer".

How can they not reach out to a real person at EY? And would EY really ignore AA 'messages' for 3 weeks? I'm having a difficult time grasping their reasoning.

All this seems like very weak excuses and just ways to pass the blame onto EY.

The friend has called AA multiple times over the course of 3 weeks, each time escalating the call to a supervisor. This last time (2 days ago) the supervisor promised she will call back today with an update and when she called today, there wasn't any "update".

The AA supervisor says they spoke to their EY liaison who is THE person that talks to EY and that "all AA can do is continue to send EY messages and "wait for an answer".

How can they not reach out to a real person at EY? And would EY really ignore AA 'messages' for 3 weeks? I'm having a difficult time grasping their reasoning.

All this seems like very weak excuses and just ways to pass the blame onto EY.

From what you are saying I think what has happened is that AA cancelled your award and the seat has gone from the award class. So they are now requesting EY to release another seat? When you check online does it say waitlisted?

There is no other reason why AA would be waiting for EY to issue a ticket. Its a AA ticket so needs to be issued by AA. EY couldn't reissue it anyway.

Hah.

Upon calling EY it seems like all segments are Confirmed with seat assignments. Looks like a huge systems miscommunication unless it just recently got fixed. First time EY was called on this issue. I suppose all is well.

Thanks again for the advice all. ^

Hah.

Upon calling EY it seems like all segments are Confirmed with seat assignments. Looks like a huge systems miscommunication unless it just recently got fixed. First time EY was called on this issue. I suppose all is well.

Thanks again for the advice all. ^

I've had this happen. AA agent spelt one pax's name wrong, and when I tried to correct it prior to ticketing it got cancelled. I was assured this wouldn't happen BUT despite several protections, AA failed to protect it long enough.

After waiting 3 weeks for AA and EY to rerelease the award through the liaison we gave up and booked new dates. EY has no interest in rereleasing award seats to AA.

Just booked 2 First seats IAD-AUH connecting to JNB in October. Lots of F avails to/from IAD until December and then after January 15th.

Was the IAD-AUH-JNB 100k ?

Was the IAD-AUH-JNB 100k ?

No, it was 135K total and all of $5 in fees.
DEN-DFW-IAD-AUH was 90K (F). AUH-JNB was 45K (J).
Two agents told me EY is not included in the 100K Africa award level.
Any one have any other experience?

No, it was 135K total.
DEN-DFW-IAD-AUH was 90K (F). AUH-JNB was 45K (J).
Two agents told me EY is not included in the 100K Africa award level.
Any one have any other experience?

No it would definitely be two award tickets. AA does not allow travel via India/Middle East zone between North America and Africa. And you can't use their "OneWorld" awards as Etihad is just a partner not a OW member.

No, it was 135K total.
DEN-DFW-IAD-AUH was 90K (F). AUH-JNB was 45K (J).
Two agents told me EY is not included in the 100K Africa award level.
Any one have any other experience?

Okay, you flew J Middle East to Africa. The aa chart says 'NA' for first from Middle East to Africa. Anyone know why? No carriers with F on this routing?

2 J seats IAD-AUD-BOM 10/19 - 11/08 booked mid-February. At least wto agents I spoke with were only able to pull up this carrier/routing when specifically told to do so.

2 F seats MLE-AUH-JFK in December 90k each (MLE-AUH is J class)

I originally had a LGA-ATL flight held on the res. The first agent told me the total would be 90k. When I booked it this was not allowed so I dropped it. I was fully expecting this as has been widely reported on FT.

Just thought I'd add another data point - booked two CDG-AUH-MLE tickets in first to Abu Dhabi and business to Male on November 24.

Just booked the same for Feb next near. What a deal at 160K total for two. CDG-AUH-MLE-AUH-CDG. Taxes came out to ~$280.

I just booked LAX-JFK-AUH-KTM and return. Everything is in first except AUH-KTM is in economy until a better seat is available and KTM-AUH is in business because it's a two class aircraft. The LAX-JFK and JFK-LAX segments are on AA; the rest is in Etihad; I booked it all with AA miles.

I was very grateful to AA for finding this routing for me. It's always difficult to get to Katmandu in October and November and I was trying to do it on Cathay Pacific and wasn't having much luck.

I just booked LAX-JFK-AUH-KTM and return. Everything is in first except AUH-KTM is in economy until a better seat is available and KTM-AUH is in business because it's a two class aircraft. The LAX-JFK and JFK-LAX segments are on AA; the rest is in Etihad; I booked it all with AA miles.

I was very grateful to AA for finding this routing for me. It's always difficult to get to Katmandu in October and November and I was trying to do it on Cathay Pacific and wasn't having much luck.

how many miles did it cost you?

how many miles did it cost you?


90,000 each way. I'm tempted to say that it's a once in a lifetime trip, but I've already said that about a couple of other trips.

I have a confirmed reservation for 2, JFK-AUH on EY using an American Airlines award (First Class) in late February 2014. Neither EY nor AA seems to be able to assign me a seat. Is it because it's too soon or ??

I have an EY locater, found the reservation on the EY website, but couldn't find a link to "choose seats." The EY rep said AA has to do it; the AA rep said they couldn't do it. :confused:

Note: I have moved this to another thread that seems more on point.

I have a confirmed reservation for 2, JFK-AUH on EY using an American Airlines award (First Class) in late February 2014. Neither EY nor AA seems to be able to assign me a seat. Is it because it's too soon or ??

I have an EY locater, found the reservation on the EY website, but couldn't find a link to "choose seats." The EY rep said AA has to do it; the AA rep said they couldn't do it. :confused:

Note: I have moved this to another thread that seems more on point.

I would call EY back as they have always assigned me the seats.

I have an EY locater, found the reservation on the EY website, but couldn't find a link to "choose seats." The EY rep said AA has to do it; the AA rep said they couldn't do it.

I would call EY back as they have always assigned me the seats.

You can't change/seats on EY.com... only by calling EY. You will need to be patient. Like EK, telephone CS is not one of their strengths.

You can't change/seats on EY.com... only by calling EY. You will need to be patient. Like EK, telephone CS is not one of their strengths.

Thanks! Do you know if we sit in 2D and 2G (on Flight 0100 - new 777W) if we'll be able to see and talk to each other?

Thanks! Do you know if we sit in 2D and 2G (on Flight 0100 - new 777W) if we'll be able to see and talk to each other?

We sat in those seats on the A346 which is same layout and yes they are absolutely perfect for two travelling together.

We sat in those seats on the A346 which is same layout and yes they are absolutely perfect for two travelling together.

Thanks!

Quick question for fellow FTers:

I am trying to book a one-way economy ticket for my brother. AUH-YYZ and then possibly YYZ-YVR. AUH-YYZ would be ideal to avoid potential transit visa issues. Is this even possible? How many miles I am looking at for this? This will be my first AA redemption, and I am new to this distance based award system. Any info/advice is appreciated.

Success; and it was easy with a little preplanning. By checking Etihad's website and knowing what to look for, I was able to get first class LHR-AUH-LHR in June for 80,000 miles and about $180.00 in fees. Considering BA wanted over $700.00 in fees for their inferior first class, I'm thrilled.

Now all I have to do is get a window seat assigned for the flights, and sort out the chauffeur service and I'll be all set. ^

Quick question for fellow FTers:

I am trying to book a one-way economy ticket for my brother. AUH-YYZ and then possibly YYZ-YVR. AUH-YYZ would be ideal to avoid potential transit visa issues. Is this even possible? How many miles I am looking at for this? This will be my first AA redemption, and I am new to this distance based award system. Any info/advice is appreciated.


It's 45,000 for AUH-YYZ one way. The awards are not distance based but rather by region. Availability should be OK off peak but will be rough for peak times. For thursday's flight (AUH YYZ) there is both J and Y availability.

Also, if you have the miles, I would splurge and go for business. It's 22,500 miles more (67.5k) one way but is at least twice as better.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/aadvantageAllPartnerChart.jsp

Now I think WS is also an AA partner so you may be able to get YYZ-YVR on the same ticket on WS - but I am not sure if you can redeem miles on WS or if you can mix airlines on one ticket so I will let someone else chime in!

Enjoy!

I just flew ETIHAD business class from Washington DC to DELHI in late April. I Booked this one way fare on the phone with AA in February. The cost was 67,500 AA miles and $30. They included the ticket from DC to New York JFK in first class complimentary. The business class product was very nice. I would suggest getting the middle seats so you can make a nice double wide bed.

The Abu Dabhi lounge for ETIHAD is great. They will iron your clothes while you shower after the free massage. The food in the lounge is awesome: Sushi, Indian food, Arabic food, tons of beverages.

The business class seats had massager in them.

And great thing about AA was that I had to change my date of travel and there was no fee since their policy allows free changes if route is same.

I hope this helps you!

How did you managed to get a complimentary ticket from DC-JFK, care to share?

Thanks,

How did you managed to get a complimentary ticket from DC-JFK, care to share?

Thanks,

If I understand the question correctly this is standard for booking award tickets. You can designate your departure city of XYZ and your destination city of 123 via hub or gate way city. For what it is worth I recently did this- PDX-AUH via IAD. The tix was 67,500 miles and covered everything in First class (domestic) and biz class on EY.

You can also stay for more than 24 hours in your North American gateway city as per AA's T&Cs....

Hope this helps good luck!

If I understand the question correctly this is standard for booking award tickets. You can designate your departure city of XYZ and your destination city of 123 via hub or gate way city. For what it is worth I recently did this- PDX-AUH via IAD. The tix was 67,500 miles and covered everything in First class (domestic) and biz class on EY.

You can also stay for more than 24 hours in your North American gateway city as per AA's T&Cs....

Hope this helps good luck!


Thank you very much for the info. I am trying to book a rewards ticket from BOS-AUH but nothing available. I found 1 seat open up but it from JFK-AUH, so if the tix covered BOS-JFK-AUH that would be great.

Thank you very much for the info. I am trying to book a rewards ticket from BOS-AUH but nothing available. I found 1 seat open up but it from JFK-AUH, so if the tix covered BOS-JFK-AUH that would be great.

Of course. EY flies out of ORD, JFK and as of March 31st IAD. You can become a member of EY's freq. flier program and then search for their award availability on their website. Anything that has the very lowest redemption should match up with AA's availability. You have to search day by day route by route- but if you find a route that works on EY i would call AA - ASAP and ask if they can get you from BOS to which ever city EY is flying out of. Good luck!

Thank you very much for the info. I am trying to book a rewards ticket from BOS-AUH but nothing available. I found 1 seat open up but it from JFK-AUH, so if the tix covered BOS-JFK-AUH that would be great.

Yep, we're flying JFK/AUH/CAI and the Transcon flights, SEA/JFK were "thrown in" by AA. Those two RT F tix would cost us around $2,000 apiece if we had to buy them.

Thank you for all your help. I was able to book 2 biz class tickets from ORD-AUH with a complimentary flight from BOS-ORD :)

Thank you for all your help. I was able to book 2 biz class tickets from ORD-AUH with a complimentary flight from BOS-ORD :)

Awesome congrats and way to work the points!!^^

JFK-AUH is NOW wide open in F & J for January 2014. Not sure about IAD or ORD.

JFK-AUH is NOW wide open in F & J for January 2014. Not sure about IAD or ORD.

Yep - noticed that last night and finally grabbed the JFK-AUH leg I have been looking for over the past couple of months. Wonder why they held off releasing that space like that - there was wide open availability before and after.

Awesome congrats and way to work the points!!^^

Couldn't pull it off without the tips and advises from you guys :D

JFK-AUH is NOW wide open in F & J for January 2014. Not sure about IAD or ORD.

Thanks for the heads up flyer121. December is now wide open as well.
Just booked two JFK-AUH-MLE First/Business seats for late December. :)

deleted.

Yep - noticed that last night and finally grabbed the JFK-AUH leg I have been looking for over the past couple of months. Wonder why they held off releasing that space like that - there was wide open availability before and after.

ditto for IAD in Jan... just about jumped out of my chair when I saw it opened up

EDIT: Any idea if EY will start offering chauffeur services to DC soon?

ditto for IAD in Jan... just about jumped out of my chair when I saw it opened up

EDIT: Any idea if EY will start offering chauffeur services to DC soon?

They offer limo service for IAD. It is on their website. I called the main contact us number and they said i would get a confirm within 2 days but never did. I will call back closer to my flight. Good luck!

I was just able (May 6th) to get a IAD-AUH in Business and on to Pakistan, and return AUH-JFK in First booked for late June/early July. Just one seat. I am very happy...


Thanks for the heads up flyer121. December is now wide open as well.
Just booked two JFK-AUH-MLE First/Business seats for late December. :)