Changes to Etihad guest
Jun 3, 2015, 7:47 am
#17
Company Representative, Etihad
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,819
Hi all,
we understand this can be rather unsettling news for some of you, especially in the case described by @EFATO, for example.
We would like to stress that these changes reflect our additional investments in our Premium services such as priority check-in, chauffeur service and lounge access. Maybe this helps a bit to understand why these changes are made, although we are can understand your disappointment, too.
*JP
we understand this can be rather unsettling news for some of you, especially in the case described by @EFATO, for example.
We would like to stress that these changes reflect our additional investments in our Premium services such as priority check-in, chauffeur service and lounge access. Maybe this helps a bit to understand why these changes are made, although we are can understand your disappointment, too.
*JP
Jun 3, 2015, 7:48 am
#18
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 6
50% increase on a guestseat AUH-UK in J. Guess i'm done with EY. Heartbreaking, I loved flying with them.
Why not just be honest? Instead of, 'we started EY guest in 2006" "We want it to remain competitive and sustainable", why not just say "the other airlines have made their FFPs more difficult and more expensive, that made us look too cheap, oh and we've got Nicole Kidman to pay, so we need the cash.."
Why not just be honest? Instead of, 'we started EY guest in 2006" "We want it to remain competitive and sustainable", why not just say "the other airlines have made their FFPs more difficult and more expensive, that made us look too cheap, oh and we've got Nicole Kidman to pay, so we need the cash.."
Jun 3, 2015, 7:53 am
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,818
Redeeming AA miles for EY flights, prior to these changes was a smart move. Doing so afterwards is a no-brainer, assuming you have AA miles of course.
AA didn't charge EY's fuel surcharge, but likely that they will levy the carrier surcharge, in which case the cash outlay will be more even with AA.
If AA does pass them on, then the DUB-AUH-MLE-AUH for 2 in biz which I booked earlier in the year will rise from the £81 I was charged, to £480. (3 sectors x 2 pax, $100 a sector)
LHR-AUH in F is rising from 55.2K miles to 87.7K miles (nearly 60%), 1-way
Advise anyone who is considering a redemption on EY to bite the bullet now. The T&C say that if you need to change the flight after the 8th of July, the old charging scale will apply.
AA didn't charge EY's fuel surcharge, but likely that they will levy the carrier surcharge, in which case the cash outlay will be more even with AA.
If AA does pass them on, then the DUB-AUH-MLE-AUH for 2 in biz which I booked earlier in the year will rise from the £81 I was charged, to £480. (3 sectors x 2 pax, $100 a sector)
LHR-AUH in F is rising from 55.2K miles to 87.7K miles (nearly 60%), 1-way
Advise anyone who is considering a redemption on EY to bite the bullet now. The T&C say that if you need to change the flight after the 8th of July, the old charging scale will apply.
Jun 3, 2015, 7:59 am
#21
Company Representative, Etihad
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,819
We can confirm that the changes will only affect Etihad Airways' operated and marketed flights. Tickets marketed and operated by our partner airlines will not be affected. Hope this helps! *JP
Jun 3, 2015, 8:05 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,818
1) Are there any changes to fees or mileage requirements, for booking AA flights using EY miles.
2) Are you aware if for example AA, will charge the $50, $100, $150 carrier charge, when booking EY flights using AA miles ?
Jun 3, 2015, 8:07 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PNH and HBA
Programs: QR-G/OWS, QF-G, VA-G, NZ-S
Posts: 141
Existing mileage required for guest seat one way business AUH MCT is 6,450 miles. From 8 July it will be 12,900 miles. Well done Etihad Guest. That's a 100% increase. That's great news for all your loyal guests who have been with you for many many years. You certainly know how to reward your guests and go that extra mile to ensure their continued loyalty.
Another example, guest seat one way business AUH BKK. Currently 39,874 miles. After 8 July will be 59,811 miles. That's a 50% increase. Once again, I thank you guys most profusely. You certainly know how to make your once loyal guests look around for alternative carriers. Keep up the good work!
Another example, guest seat one way business AUH BKK. Currently 39,874 miles. After 8 July will be 59,811 miles. That's a 50% increase. Once again, I thank you guys most profusely. You certainly know how to make your once loyal guests look around for alternative carriers. Keep up the good work!
Jun 3, 2015, 8:10 am
#24
Company Representative, Etihad
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,819
Thanks for your question. Sure, let's clarify:
If the flight you are booking is marketed and operated by AA, there will be neither mileage requirements nor fees nor carrier charges.
Hope this is what you had in mind when asking?
*JP
Jun 3, 2015, 8:13 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: homeless
Programs: QF Plat, KL Plat, TK Gold, WY Gold, Bonvoy Tit
Posts: 581
1 Etihad Airways 220 flights 25,9 %
2 easyJet 91 flights 10,7 %
3 Lufthansa 80 flights 9,4 %
4 Gulf Air 50 flights 5,9 %
5 Ryanair 39 flights 4,6 %
6 Oman Air 39 flights 4,6 %
7 Qatar Airways 24 flights 2,8 %
8 SWISS 24 flights 2,8 %
9 British Airways 16 flights 1,9 %
10 Aer Lingus 15 flights 1,8 %
I am Platinum on EY and Gold on Star Alliance. Note that when I'm in Europe I am not loyal to anyone - I buy the cheapest fare available (easyJet, Lufthansa, Ryanair, etc.). However, when I fly GCC or long haul, I clearly choose Etihad much more frequently than Gulf, Oman or Qatar - because of the FFP.
FFP has to offer a certain level of privileges to work, which I don't get out of LH, for example. On LH I get lounge, which is generally rubbish (it's much more pleasant to sit in the public area at MUC than it is to sit in the lounge, for example), and there are no upgrades. Result? The FFP program doesn't really work to attract my business - as you see from the numbers above, I tend to fly more easyJet than LH, even though I'm Star Alliance Gold.
For GCC, I fly Gulf Air almost as much as I fly EY - because I have Gold there too and their tickets are cheaper.
Of course the people making decisions at Etihad Guest must know this, but it does pay to spell it out again on here. The less benefits you give an FFP elite member (and by that I mean people that are really doing all the flying, not the occasional person that takes a trip once a year and redeems 2,000 points for something in the reward shop), the more reasons you give your best customers to shop around.
As I see it now, if I can't upgrade any more, all that my Platinum status and loyalty is worth to EY is lounge. At that rate there is no point in keeping all my flying with EY - better to split it out 50/50 on EY/EK for example, keep Gold on both programmes, and then cherry-pick the lowest fares.
All I've ever wanted out of an FFP is to be put in a better room at the airport when I'm waiting and put in a better seat on the plane when it is empty. EY has been pretty good at that, which is why I've taken 220 flights with them. Take those opportunities away, as you continue to do (no more First Class lounge, no more upgrades on competitive fare buckets), and I'll go away. Pretty simple.
Jun 3, 2015, 8:21 am
#26
Company Representative, Etihad
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,819
We are sorry to hear that EFATO. We would still be happy to see you again in the future and hope you have enjoyed our services so far. We can ensure you we don't strive to be as good, but better in our services to you every time you fly with us.
As the changes are merely reflective of that, we hope we can still welcome you on board again soon and show you what it's like to fly reimagined. *JP
As the changes are merely reflective of that, we hope we can still welcome you on board again soon and show you what it's like to fly reimagined. *JP
Jun 3, 2015, 8:41 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,792
We would like to stress that these changes reflect our additional investments in our Premium services such as priority check-in, chauffeur service and lounge access. Maybe this helps a bit to understand why these changes are made, although we are can understand your disappointment, too.
There was no change recently as regards Priority Check-in (still requires a Business or First class ticket; or, if in economy, a certain (unchanged) status level). Ditto for lounge access.
And as regards chauffeur service, you've restricted the classes of booking that are eligible.
Jun 3, 2015, 8:55 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,277
Sadly, we will get no real, incisive or meaningful responses from Etihad Help on these changes. Thats just a fact. The changes are what they are - nothing will change as a result of whats posted here by FT-ers, sadly. We will all have to decide if its worth carrying on with the programme. For me it is - because even after the devaluation (which IS unwelcome 
) its the best programme for my needs & Mrs NoY’s needs. YMMV.
) its the best programme for my needs & Mrs NoY’s needs. YMMV.
Last edited by NoY; Jun 3, 2015 at 9:06 am
Jun 3, 2015, 9:05 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,792
(@ NoY) I'm afraid you'll be proved correct.
The Etihad Premium Channel was recently even unable to correctly identify the expiry date of my status, when questioned recently. In the end, they simply stopped responding to my queries.
(I hate to say it, but my impression of Etihad has been severely dented recently - not by the flying experience, but by the frustration of dealing with their customer service).
The Etihad Premium Channel was recently even unable to correctly identify the expiry date of my status, when questioned recently. In the end, they simply stopped responding to my queries.
(I hate to say it, but my impression of Etihad has been severely dented recently - not by the flying experience, but by the frustration of dealing with their customer service).