Flyasiana

I did not have to help them. I told them the dates and they were able to search on their system without any issues.
However, what Eithad sees is different from award availability on UA search engine. I tried changing the dates to a few days earlier but nothing on Eithads end while UA is showing space.

steveholt

Maybe a dumb question, but how do we know if we've gotten through to the Manchester office? The number gives me the initial greeting from the Manchester office, but then the phrasing immediately afterwards is exactly the same as the U.S. phone number. I did get somebody with an English accent, but I suppose that could be in Abu Dhabi as well...

dustbuster

I usually just ask where they're from.

steveholt

Well, that seems simple enough! FWIW, I made five calls trying to book a JFK-BRU-LHR itinerary:

1) English gentleman, told me there was no availability
2) Abu Dhabi call center, hung up
3) Abu Dhabi call center, hung up
4) Same English gentleman as call 1
5) English lady, said there was no availability but offered to waitlist me and request the space from SN without me even having to ask

My PNR now shows one leg confirmed (BRU-LHR), one leg waitlisted (JFK-BRU), and two legs unconfirmed (LHR-BRU-JFK).

coraco

I'm looking to go RT JFK->DLA. I am hesitant to transfer my amex MR before knowing if this will work.

I've tried calling -- they are unable to see award flights as posted above. They can't put me on a waitlist without my miles (understandably).

Any thoughts about whether it's worth risking the miles or not? I'm unlikely to fly etihad any time soon otherwise...

dustbuster

Well, Etihad has tons of partners beyond SN, and some of them have good redemption values too... just remember that miles expire after 2 years and can't be extended.

sfera

If EY doesnt have a published rate for a route such as BRU-ATH, is there any way to book that route using miles? How would I get the cost? Or is this not possible

dustbuster

I was looking at a similar situation with a different Etihad partner, and was told that I could not book the redemption if the rate was not published. But I suspect that like with many things Etihad, this could be YMMV.

zzrayzz

I just want to share my datapoints on this

I used UA to search for award space. It seems pretty accurate to what Etihad sees for SN.

I inquired about 2 J seats since I see it on UA but Etihad reps (called USA & LON offices) many times but they just do not see the same J space as UA.

But seems like the Y space on UA is the same as what Etihad sees.

Sadly, I booked the Y space since I didnt want to lose those seats and didnt feel like paying $1600/pp RT for June flights. Cant beat 22k/pp for a rt to europe during peak season.

Any idea if I can "upgrade" to J seats from my Y seats if they become available on Etihad's end? I still see the J space available on UA (this is a month later!!)

David-A

Anyone had any success booking Toronto?
(or washington - that is also not on the table but would be a data point).

mlqsko

$1600 for economy? With the regular (not mistake fares) prices lately, you'd be spending too much if you pay more than $1200 for BUSINESS rt. Revenue ticket!

ss2000

Successfully booked JFK - BRU J for only 36K miles and around $94.76.

Richard Berg

How did you search for award space?

David-A

Just bumping this question:

snic

I just successfully booked three business class award tickets JFK-BRU for next summer - all three passengers travelling together.

The process was relatively painless. First, I called Etihad to check for availability and was told that tickets were available. Then, I transfered Thank You points from Citi, which took 8 days. Finally, after double checking for availability on united's website, I called the Etihad Guest US line (877-690-0767), and was immediately connected with a knowledgeable, competent and even enthusiastic agent. I told him what I wanted to book, including dates, and after a few minutes of searching he told me that one direction was available, but for the other I'd have to adjust my schedule by a couple of days earlier or later. I picked an available date, and after 10 minutes and less than 110,000 miles (and $279 in taxes), I have three tickets.

In all, I'm very pleased - SN availability seems to be very good for next summer (probably because of the recent attacks), the price of these tickets is phenomenally good, and the booking process was smooth (aside from the rather annoying 8 day Citi-EY transfer time).