Booked with Etihad, have Silver Etihad Guest and Gold AA, what do I use?
Nov 21, 2014, 1:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 7
Booked with Etihad, have Silver Etihad Guest and Gold AA, what do I use?
I booked with Etihad on the following itinerary:
BKK-AUH-CDG-JFK
The first two segments are operated by Etihad, the CDG-JFK is operated by AA. I'm an Etihad Silver and an AAdvantage Gold. My first interest would be any chance of upgrades. Do I have a better chance by entering one program or the other in my profile? Should I just let them know at check-in that I'm both and see if they can process an upgrade there? What's the best course of action here?
Regarding accrual, I guess I'd mostly prefer to accrue AA miles rather than Eithad miles, as I'm not flying frequently through the Middle East, but if I put my AA account down as my preferred program, then does that mean I lose any Etihad Silver benefits, like lounge access, baggage? I've never had to play multiple statuses against each other in this way, and am never sure how this works! Thanks for your help!
-Stephen
BKK-AUH-CDG-JFK
The first two segments are operated by Etihad, the CDG-JFK is operated by AA. I'm an Etihad Silver and an AAdvantage Gold. My first interest would be any chance of upgrades. Do I have a better chance by entering one program or the other in my profile? Should I just let them know at check-in that I'm both and see if they can process an upgrade there? What's the best course of action here?
Regarding accrual, I guess I'd mostly prefer to accrue AA miles rather than Eithad miles, as I'm not flying frequently through the Middle East, but if I put my AA account down as my preferred program, then does that mean I lose any Etihad Silver benefits, like lounge access, baggage? I've never had to play multiple statuses against each other in this way, and am never sure how this works! Thanks for your help!
-Stephen
Nov 21, 2014, 1:43 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,722
Etihad auctions off seats in the higher cabins - they don't just give them away, they use them to try to draw extra revenue from people in lower cabins - so they are therefore unlikely to offer free upgrades to anyone, let alone someone with Silver status (if op-ups are necessary, one presumes the Gold Elite and Gold status members would be accommodated before Silvers).
Certain status privileges, such as lounge access, are granted on the basis of being able to show your card. They do not require that your FFP number is in the booking, or even that any number is in the booking. Earn the miles wherever you like, and carry the cards to obtain your status privileges along the way.
Certain status privileges, such as lounge access, are granted on the basis of being able to show your card. They do not require that your FFP number is in the booking, or even that any number is in the booking. Earn the miles wherever you like, and carry the cards to obtain your status privileges along the way.