Jan 14, 2016, 5:43 am
Last edit by: medellinfein
Booking Award Seats on EY / Etihad Airways Using AA / AAdvantage Miles
Also see: Earning AA Miles EQM / EQD / EQS on EY / Etihad (master thread)
This thread is about how to book Etihad / EY award seats using AA AAdvantage miles, and sharing success stories. This wiki is new, so anyone with 90/90 who wishes to add helpful information is, of course, urged to do so.
NOTE:AA has removed most EY and QR award access from aa.com due to a glitch booking these:
Please see the archived threads for previous experiences:
Also see: Earning AA Miles EQM / EQD / EQS on EY / Etihad (master thread)
This thread is about how to book Etihad / EY award seats using AA AAdvantage miles, and sharing success stories. This wiki is new, so anyone with 90/90 who wishes to add helpful information is, of course, urged to do so.
NOTE:AA has removed most EY and QR award access from aa.com due to a glitch booking these:
From One Mile at a Time (link)
Bottom Line
For the time being you’ll have to call American if you want to ticket AAdvantage awards on Etihad & Qatar that aren’t for travel to & from the US or Canada. It makes sense that American took these awards “offline,” and now it also makes sense why so many passengers have been having issues with checked bags on awards.
Bottom Line
For the time being you’ll have to call American if you want to ticket AAdvantage awards on Etihad & Qatar that aren’t for travel to & from the US or Canada. It makes sense that American took these awards “offline,” and now it also makes sense why so many passengers have been having issues with checked bags on awards.
- You can now search or book awards for travel on EY (Etihad) on www.aa.com.
- You can search award availability on EY's website. Look only for seats on flights operated by Etihad Airways that are labeled as "GuestSeats". You can also search on ExpertFlyer
- Note: You may see more availability if you search on EY's website using itineraries that do not originate in the US. In other words, to potentially see more availability on a USA-XYZ segment, search for XYZ-USA-XYZ. Expertflyer does not report this additional availability (if any), and US-based agents probably will not be able to see or book it (but see further below for Fiji).
- To expand on this point a bit, it seems that even if you only want to fly USA-AUH (or to other foreign destinations, since they route through AUH), due to an EY website quirk you need to search AUH-USA-AUH in order to find available USA-AUH routes.
- You no longer have to call AA to book them. You may need to request the AA agent to look up the inventory one segment at a time in order to find the inventory in their system. OR:
- It is often or even typically the case that for first and business class awards US agents cannot see the award space that you see on Etihad's site. Your best bet, then, is to call AA Australia (+61 2-9101-1948 ) then press 3 - or the New Zealand number (+64 09-308-4014) (actually South African contractor Mindpearl in Fiji) or Singapore (+65 6349-8444) as an alternative - what you need is the specific call center which is actually in Suva, Fiji (I believe it's our old South African agency friend Mindpearl) or, according to recent reports, in Trinidad (since there have been some reports that the Fiji center has closed). You can put the EY segments on hold so you can flesh out the award afterward and/or pay the fees in USD through the US call center, or simply buy it through non-US call center if you think you won't be making subsequent routing changes (such as adding AA connecting flights within the USA) that would incur fees. (NOTE: calls may get picked up by the local Brisbane office, or rerouted to Trinidad or the USA. As noted, there are reports that the Fiji call center has closed, but people have still been able to book some of the time, particularly if they reach the Trinidad center since that seems to be the call center that yields the greatest success in late 2017 and 2018 - with the big caveat that there are at least as many failures as successes in calling there, including repeatedly. To increase the chances of success, you may have to call several times, since for some reason a given customer service representative at a given time won't see availability even if it shows at the EY site, but another CSR at the same center may be able to do so even a few minutes later. It's conceivable that this difference is due to some CSRs knowing how to search for award availability better than others do, but that's simply a matter of speculation at this point.)
- Note: EY award holds only last 72 hours...irrespective of what AA reservation hold email states
- Booking connections via AUH / Abu Dabhi using one award is now allowed.
- Get both AA and EY reservation codes/numbers: Upon booking with AA, make sure to get the EY reservation number as well as that of AA from the AA CSR, as without the EY number it will be difficult or impossible to deal with EY, such as for checking or managing your reservation online. And of course, if there is another airline involved in the reservation as well (such as BA), get its reservation number.
- A handy EY route map is here: http://flights.etihad.com/routemap.
- The applicable AAdvantage miles award chart is the oneworld and partner airlines award chart.
- Award routing rules are in the wikipost of this thread.
- If you find EY inventory from your continent but not your city of choice, as usual you can include any other AAdvantage award airlines in order to complete the itinerary. E.g. LHR-xAUH-DEL-xAUH-CDG on EY connecting to CDG-LHR on BA.
- WARNING: While this trick is great for new bookings (especially if you have patience to get lucky for call to be routed to Fiji office), modifying booking on partner airlines is always risky especially when an overseas center is involved, Your original seats are immediately released and while new reservation is supposedly confirmed, it may actually not the case until ticket desk actually issues ticket after approval of the partner liaison. Weekend/Holidays/Time-Difference can delay issuance of ticket and if something goes wrong, there is always risk of being SOL. (Mistakes by agents are rare but not unheard of).
- SEAT ASSIGNMENTS: You cannot choose seats until after ticketing. Even then, the regular web site will not allow seat assignments to be made for AAdvantage award bookings. The mobile site (which can be reached with either a mobile or a desktop browser) may work in some cases. Calling EY to make seat assignments always works, as long as you can give them the EY record locator, and as long as AA has issued the ticket (which can take a few days, you will get e-mail). Call 1-877-690-0767, press 1 for English, then 2 for First/Business, then 2 for existing bookings, then they will tell you the call is ending - but it's not: they have added "press 1 to speak to an agent", so finally, press 1 to continue the call. After this, you should have someone on the line quickly to help you. They will ask you a series of questions such as "What class are you traveling in?" and "Where are you going?" Alternatively, you can choose your seats on the Etihad website and app by using the EY record locator to find your award itinerary.
- Availability: EY award availability using AA miles can be fairly good, including in business and first class - IF you get past the big, aforementioned challenge of actually booking award seats that the EY site shows as available but that AA agents have trouble finding. But it ebbs and flows quite a bit in at least two respects (in addition to the general rule that the further in advance you seek availability, the better, as well as reports that availability is easier to find from one to three weeks before a flight): 1) availability showing at the EY site and 2) even if availability shows at the EY site, the ability of non-US call centers (especially the "least bad" ones for finding availability, which might have been Fiji and might now be Trinidad) to find that availability. So if the EY site is not showing availability for a given day or week, and if you have flexibility, check other dates. And if availability seems to be particularly constrained across many dates, particularly if you are searching many months in advance, check again periodically to see if this has changed (or arrange an alert via ExpertFlyer, if it provides such a service for EY flights).
- "Baby-sit" your tickets: Though this advice could apply to many award bookings, EY's systems can be glitchy and the airline apparently is going through some financial challenges. So it makes sense to check online or via phone occasionally with EY to make sure everything remains in order, particularly if there have been even minor changes in things like your flight times. And if there seem to be problems, including with checking in online or other procedures, the EY forum here at FT can be a source of useful advice about whether or not those problems are worth worrying about.
- Itinerary: You can use https://www.virtuallythere.com/new/login.html to enter your EY record locator and last name to 1)display your complete itinerary 2)save a pdf 3)add to outlook/ical 4)view ticket # and different times the ticket has been reissued
- AA lounge access: If you book a premium cabin itinerary on EY with domestic connections on AA, you will not be able to access the Admiral's Club during your domestic layovers because EY is not a member of OW.
Please see the archived threads for previous experiences:
- How to: Use AA Miles to Book Award on Etihad / EY (Archive - 2015 and earlier)
- Success stories booking awards on Etihad using AA miles (Archive - 2015 and earlier)
- Booking AA Award travel on Etihad / EY - [2015-17 ARCHIVE]
Booking AA Award travel on Etihad / EY (master thread July 2017 onwards)
Mar 15, 2019, 7:48 pm
#871
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Mar 15, 2019, 8:50 pm
#872
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MIA
Posts: 498
Only when searching the EY website I had to use the reverse routing. When on the phone with the agents I gave them the exact flights I wanted that showed the reverse routing availability
Mar 17, 2019, 3:35 pm
#873
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Florida
Programs: UA Gold (1MM), Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 302
Is JFK-AUH-SYD booked as a single or multiple reservations? I was under the impression that routing from US to Australia via AUH was not allowed. Is the mileage requirement the sum of JFK-AUH and AUH-SYD awards?
Mar 17, 2019, 5:28 pm
#874
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MIA
Posts: 498
It allowed on one ticket, just prices 2 awards. 115,500 miles for JFK-AUH and 100,000 for AUH to SYD. Still is a much better option then paying AA 420,000 miles for business class from JFK-LAX-SYD
Mar 19, 2019, 6:15 am
#876
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,913
What has happened to business awards from the US? It used to be super plentiful. Has EY for the most part that I can see has really changed things. I was looking in May and June and see next to nothing from USA-AUH on the Etihad Guest website. I figured those would be pretty low times too as its so warm in the Middle East.
Mar 19, 2019, 7:47 am
#877
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 539
What has happened to business awards from the US? It used to be super plentiful. Has EY for the most part that I can see has really changed things. I was looking in May and June and see next to nothing from USA-AUH on the Etihad Guest website. I figured those would be pretty low times too as its so warm in the Middle East.
Mar 19, 2019, 12:45 pm
#879
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Mar 19, 2019, 3:54 pm
#880
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
They are different products, both great but in different ways. EY F on the 777 has more standard seats that recline into beds, with sliding doors for privacy. People who travel together may prefer the 777 because the two center seats allow for interaction while seated, and with the doors closed the two are in a private space. People who need to sleep with their head slightly elevated may prefer the 777 because the seats are standard adjustable ones where you can make the head be at any desired angle. The EY F seats on the A380 are known as the Apartments, and are a unique F product. Each Apartment has the space of two standard F seats, with a fixed flat bed and a recliner seat (it only reclines a certain amount since it isn't the bed). There is a bit of floor space, a door that closes for privacy, a small fridge drawer to keep water cold, a vanity closet with amenities and a mirror, and a thin wardrobe closet for hanging your clothes when you change into PJs. The TV swings out so it can be viewed from the recliner chair and from the bed. The A380 is equipped with a small kitchen instead of a standard galley, with fresh ingredients and a chef who can customize one's food (F on the 777 also has a chef but his abilities are more limited). There are two lavatories for the F passengers, one of which has a shower that can be reserved for use during the flight. If two people are traveling together, there are a few paired Apartments where a panel can be opened between the head area of the beds, allowing for some talking and even kissing, but there is no ability to interact while seated, only while laying in bed.
Mar 19, 2019, 4:15 pm
#881
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Here are reports with pics on each product.
• 777 Etihad First Class LAX to Abu Dhabi | SFO777
• 380 Etihad First Class Apartment to JFK | SFO777
• 777 Etihad First Class LAX to Abu Dhabi | SFO777
• 380 Etihad First Class Apartment to JFK | SFO777
Mar 20, 2019, 7:36 am
#882
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
They are different products, both great but in different ways. EY F on the 777 has more standard seats that recline into beds, with sliding doors for privacy. People who travel together may prefer the 777 because the two center seats allow for interaction while seated, and with the doors closed the two are in a private space. People who need to sleep with their head slightly elevated may prefer the 777 because the seats are standard adjustable ones where you can make the head be at any desired angle. The EY F seats on the A380 are known as the Apartments, and are a unique F product. Each Apartment has the space of two standard F seats, with a fixed flat bed and a recliner seat (it only reclines a certain amount since it isn't the bed). There is a bit of floor space, a door that closes for privacy, a small fridge drawer to keep water cold, a vanity closet with amenities and a mirror, and a thin wardrobe closet for hanging your clothes when you change into PJs. The TV swings out so it can be viewed from the recliner chair and from the bed. The A380 is equipped with a small kitchen instead of a standard galley, with fresh ingredients and a chef who can customize one's food (F on the 777 also has a chef but his abilities are more limited). There are two lavatories for the F passengers, one of which has a shower that can be reserved for use during the flight. If two people are traveling together, there are a few paired Apartments where a panel can be opened between the head area of the beds, allowing for some talking and even kissing, but there is no ability to interact while seated, only while laying in bed.
Emirates is head and shoulders better than Etihad both A380 and 777
On Etihad:
The A380 is definitely preferable for the most part. The main downside versus the 777 is my wife and I couldn't share the experience for the most part as noted above. We did share our meal by them setting up table in my apartment and we sat one on the chair and one on the bench. That was a nice experience. But, I still prefer the side by side dining of the 777 and the EY A380/777.
Mar 20, 2019, 7:53 am
#883
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,598
Mar 20, 2019, 8:07 am
#884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
In January 2019 this year we flew Emirates A380 (SFO-DXB) and 777 (DXB-MLE) and Etihad 777 (MLE-AUH) and A380 (AUH-JFK).
Emirates is head and shoulders better than Etihad both A380 and 777
On Etihad:
The A380 is definitely preferable for the most part. The main downside versus the 777 is my wife and I couldn't share the experience for the most part as noted above. We did share our meal by them setting up table in my apartment and we sat one on the chair and one on the bench. That was a nice experience. But, I still prefer the side by side dining of the 777 and the EY A380/777.
Emirates is head and shoulders better than Etihad both A380 and 777
On Etihad:
The A380 is definitely preferable for the most part. The main downside versus the 777 is my wife and I couldn't share the experience for the most part as noted above. We did share our meal by them setting up table in my apartment and we sat one on the chair and one on the bench. That was a nice experience. But, I still prefer the side by side dining of the 777 and the EY A380/777.
Mar 20, 2019, 8:43 am
#885
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Nonsense. The Etihad Apartment suite is much nicer and far more spacious than the cramped Emirates A380 suite. I'll give EK the nod on the on board showers and no PreClearance BS at DXB, but for most of the flight it's not even close. Plus, you can't book EK with AA miles.