A deep dive on mixed-cabin awards with Mark Nasr
Mar 3, 2022, 11:33 am
#62
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Not so great if you live in YYJ. Or even YOW, where a YUL connection is common.
If only there were a way to say "I want 80% of the trip to be in the top cabin" ...
Mar 3, 2022, 2:25 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Very true, but Rome was not built in a day! I just hated those kind of searches where you searched for a business ticket and ended up with 67 flights at 5 to 10% J.
Mar 4, 2022, 8:26 am
#64
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,924
That was the previous option wasn't it? Under the old option, the J class on a TPAC was usually the connection flight, while the long haul was in Y. It is why I would refer to the previous format as misrepresentation, deceitful, dishonest etc. I welcome the change. At least now I can clearly and quickly see when there are no TPAC J options. The new format allows me to consider a greater range of fixes such as paying for a segment to connect to a hub if the J option is unavailable. The new format will eliminate a lot of the ill will / negative sentiment that attached to the scenario described in comment above. As soon as the EVA, ANA and Swiss inventory is available again, I'll be in my golden period of redemptions where I can redeem on the better quality *A carriers.
Mar 4, 2022, 9:56 am
#65
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BOS / BWI
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott, HHonors, Avis et al.
Posts: 237
I have an Aeroplan First class lowest award on EY for IAD-AUH-DEL. (Lowest First award was for 130k miles, flexible first award was for 146k miles, but both with the 2nd segment in economy). Couple of strange things:
1.IAD-AUH supposed to be in First, but the email confirmation shows Business (O). Is it actually first? Never mind, confirmed on Etihad website that it is indeed First.
2. AUH-DEL seated in Economy (N), but if I search that segment separately, I can see lowest business award available for that segment. Edit: I called Aeroplan, they said they need to be able to find availability for the whole trip together, cannot delete the 2nd segment and update it due to this being "married". I guess I am out of luck as the search only returns First+Econ if together, and if I search multi-city, I get Econ+Business for the same flights
Any ideas?
Thanks for any tips.
1.
2. AUH-DEL seated in Economy (N), but if I search that segment separately, I can see lowest business award available for that segment. Edit: I called Aeroplan, they said they need to be able to find availability for the whole trip together, cannot delete the 2nd segment and update it due to this being "married". I guess I am out of luck as the search only returns First+Econ if together, and if I search multi-city, I get Econ+Business for the same flights
Any ideas?Thanks for any tips.
A (hopefully not dumb) question -- If I search separately, I can get AUH-DEL in Business for 25k miles. If I were to buy that separately for the additional 25k miles, will I be able to fly that segment in Business? i.e. I will have two tickets for that flight (one in Economy and one in Business). First of all, is this legal under the airline COC and valid? And if so, would I be able to explain this at check in and not cause issues with my through checked luggage from IAD to DEL?
Last edited by c2d; Mar 4, 2022 at 10:04 am Reason: clarify question
Mar 4, 2022, 10:14 am
#66
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
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Posts: 16,779
A (hopefully not dumb) question -- If I search separately, I can get AUH-DEL in Business for 25k miles. If I were to buy that separately for the additional 25k miles, will I be able to fly that segment in Business? i.e. I will have two tickets for that flight (one in Economy and one in Business). Would I be able to explain this at check in and not cause issues with my through checked luggage from IAD to DEL?
The question would be whether you could delete the AUH-DEL segment that you already have, then add on the AUH-DEL segment in J, paying for it separately as a new bound. If IAD-AUH and AUH-DEL were married when you booked them, I don't know whether you can just drop the AUH-DEL segment, but it might be worth asking.
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Or you could phone in and say there was no availability in J on AUH-DEL when you booked this, but now you see space open (ignoring everything to do with married segments), and just ask whether they can change that one segment.
The answer might ultimately be no, but the duplicate booking thing is definitely not the answer.
You might also want to consult the thread on complex bookings, where someone may already have discussed something like this.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Mar 4, 2022 at 10:19 am
Mar 4, 2022, 12:43 pm
#67
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BOS / BWI
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott, HHonors, Avis et al.
Posts: 237
AC's tariff prohibits booking multiple reservations for the same route on the same day, and since they're the ticketing carrier, they will likely cancel one of your bookings if you make duplicate bookings like that (see this thread for more).
The question would be whether you could delete the AUH-DEL segment that you already have, then add on the AUH-DEL segment in J, paying for it separately as a new bound. If IAD-AUH and AUH-DEL were married when you booked them, I don't know whether you can just drop the AUH-DEL segment, but it might be worth asking.
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Or you could phone in and say there was no availability in J on AUH-DEL when you booked this, but now you see space open (ignoring everything to do with married segments), and just ask whether they can change that one segment.
The answer might ultimately be no, but the duplicate booking thing is definitely not the answer.
You might also want to consult the thread on complex bookings, where someone may already have discussed something like this.
The question would be whether you could delete the AUH-DEL segment that you already have, then add on the AUH-DEL segment in J, paying for it separately as a new bound. If IAD-AUH and AUH-DEL were married when you booked them, I don't know whether you can just drop the AUH-DEL segment, but it might be worth asking.
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Or you could phone in and say there was no availability in J on AUH-DEL when you booked this, but now you see space open (ignoring everything to do with married segments), and just ask whether they can change that one segment.
The answer might ultimately be no, but the duplicate booking thing is definitely not the answer.
You might also want to consult the thread on complex bookings, where someone may already have discussed something like this.
Mar 4, 2022, 12:47 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,191
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Mar 9, 2022, 8:24 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BOS / BWI
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott, HHonors, Avis et al.
Posts: 237
AC's tariff prohibits booking multiple reservations for the same route on the same day, and since they're the ticketing carrier, they will likely cancel one of your bookings if you make duplicate bookings like that (see this thread for more).
The question would be whether you could delete the AUH-DEL segment that you already have, then add on the AUH-DEL segment in J, paying for it separately as a new bound. If IAD-AUH and AUH-DEL were married when you booked them, I don't know whether you can just drop the AUH-DEL segment, but it might be worth asking.
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Or you could phone in and say there was no availability in J on AUH-DEL when you booked this, but now you see space open (ignoring everything to do with married segments), and just ask whether they can change that one segment.
The answer might ultimately be no, but the duplicate booking thing is definitely not the answer.
You might also want to consult the thread on complex bookings, where someone may already have discussed something like this.
The question would be whether you could delete the AUH-DEL segment that you already have, then add on the AUH-DEL segment in J, paying for it separately as a new bound. If IAD-AUH and AUH-DEL were married when you booked them, I don't know whether you can just drop the AUH-DEL segment, but it might be worth asking.
To maximize your chances of success, I would not explain everything to the agent. I would simply call and ask whether I could delete the AUH-DEL segment from the PNR. If they say no, end the call there. You can HUCA and see if someone else will do it. If and when they do delete it, tell them you want to make another change and add the AUH-DEL leg in J as a new bound.
Or you could phone in and say there was no availability in J on AUH-DEL when you booked this, but now you see space open (ignoring everything to do with married segments), and just ask whether they can change that one segment.
The answer might ultimately be no, but the duplicate booking thing is definitely not the answer.
You might also want to consult the thread on complex bookings, where someone may already have discussed something like this.
I really appreciate this sort of coaching from experienced flyers on the forum. Most of us, when faced with "sorry no", can't tell if we're trying to do something we shouldn't/can't or if the issue is on the other end of the phone. Your (collective) sagely advice is very helpful! Just this week canadiancow helped me get an eUp confirmed when HUCA was getting me nowhere.
I haven't been successful with changing my multi cabin booking so far, I still have a few days to try. Btw, I did want to note here something unexpected that I found out -- for such multi cabin bookings, apparently Etihad won't let you use the First class lounge or even the Business class lounge in AUH if your onward is in Economy. And there is no Priority Pass lounge in AUH terminal 3, so looks like I am out of luck once I land in AUH
Mar 16, 2022, 8:21 am
#70
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BOS / BWI
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott, HHonors, Avis et al.
Posts: 237
Yes, I echo vancouver25k's sentiments. Thanks for sharing your experience here.
I haven't been successful with changing my multi cabin booking so far, I still have a few days to try. Btw, I did want to note here something unexpected that I found out -- for such multi cabin bookings, apparently Etihad won't let you use the First class lounge or even the Business class lounge in AUH if your onward is in Economy. And there is no Priority Pass lounge in AUH terminal 3, so looks like I am out of luck once I land in AUH
I haven't been successful with changing my multi cabin booking so far, I still have a few days to try. Btw, I did want to note here something unexpected that I found out -- for such multi cabin bookings, apparently Etihad won't let you use the First class lounge or even the Business class lounge in AUH if your onward is in Economy. And there is no Priority Pass lounge in AUH terminal 3, so looks like I am out of luck once I land in AUH
Interesting discovery— I am currently writing this from the AUH Etihad business lounge. They could upgrade me to J for the AUH-DEL leg here at the lounge for ~USD300. I thought it was not possible to upgrade award tickets with cash, but pleasantly surprised that I could and that wasn’t for too much. The lounge agent said they couldn’t do this at other airports maybe, and I wasn’t offered this option at IAD check in. Something to keep in mind.
Apr 29, 2022, 5:37 pm
#71
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 544
update: I never could get the AUH-DEL separated and J award space wasn’t showing up for that segment separately anyway for the last few days.
Interesting discovery— I am currently writing this from the AUH Etihad business lounge. They could upgrade me to J for the AUH-DEL leg here at the lounge for ~USD300. I thought it was not possible to upgrade award tickets with cash, but pleasantly surprised that I could and that wasn’t for too much. The lounge agent said they couldn’t do this at other airports maybe, and I wasn’t offered this option at IAD check in. Something to keep in mind.
Interesting discovery— I am currently writing this from the AUH Etihad business lounge. They could upgrade me to J for the AUH-DEL leg here at the lounge for ~USD300. I thought it was not possible to upgrade award tickets with cash, but pleasantly surprised that I could and that wasn’t for too much. The lounge agent said they couldn’t do this at other airports maybe, and I wasn’t offered this option at IAD check in. Something to keep in mind.
Apr 29, 2022, 5:49 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: ORK/YYC
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 122
update: I never could get the AUH-DEL separated and J award space wasn’t showing up for that segment separately anyway for the last few days.
Interesting discovery— I am currently writing this from the AUH Etihad business lounge. They could upgrade me to J for the AUH-DEL leg here at the lounge for ~USD300. I thought it was not possible to upgrade award tickets with cash, but pleasantly surprised that I could and that wasn’t for too much. The lounge agent said they couldn’t do this at other airports maybe, and I wasn’t offered this option at IAD check in. Something to keep in mind.
Interesting discovery— I am currently writing this from the AUH Etihad business lounge. They could upgrade me to J for the AUH-DEL leg here at the lounge for ~USD300. I thought it was not possible to upgrade award tickets with cash, but pleasantly surprised that I could and that wasn’t for too much. The lounge agent said they couldn’t do this at other airports maybe, and I wasn’t offered this option at IAD check in. Something to keep in mind.
Apr 29, 2022, 5:56 pm
#73
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YUL
Programs: AC E75, WS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, GHA Plat, UA Silver, SQ Silver
Posts: 215
I am reading recent reports that AI J is better than UK J in International routes after Tata takeover. (factoring experience not just based on hard product)
Apr 30, 2022, 10:51 am
#74
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: ORK/YYC
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 122
in hind sight I should have paid the 65k points fare as opposed to the 35k fare if I wanted to fly business with them tbh. but you are right.
Jun 5, 2022, 10:26 am
#75
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: MCO
Posts: 3,030
AC rebooked me from business to economy. Am I out of luck?
Flying FCO-YUL-MCO tomorrow on an award. The FCO-YUL segment is correct and I am booked into "Business (I)". I booked before the change to dynamic award pricing and the YUL-MCO segment was booked as "Business (X)" and I got a seat assignment in Y due to no availability in J. I understood this to mean that when checking in, I would get the J seat if there was one available. There was a schedule change and now it says I am booked as "Economy (X)". Does this mean I have lost the ability to get the J seat upon check in?
Last edited by vinnmann; Jun 5, 2022 at 10:54 am