Free WiFi for Guest Platinum, 75% off for Guest Gold?
Nov 14, 2019, 11:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,833
Free WiFi for Guest Platinum, 75% off for Guest Gold?
Free WiFi for Guest Platinum and 75% off for Guest Golds were flagged as some of the benefits in the EY Guest refresh, at https://www.etihadguest.com/en/our-p...-benefits.html
However, it appears to be not quite as simple as, for example, a Platinum continually refreshing his or her 300MB/US$30 package, or a Gold paying only 25% of US$30 for a series of 300MB packages.
I raised the criteria with an EY press spokesman, asking if this might be limited to just one package (eg 1 x 300MB package) before paying full bottle.
His reply: "The discounts are available for all 3 packages in 1 session which is 1 x 50MB, 1 x 150MB & 1 x 300MB. After the discount has been applied to all 3 packages in one flight, standard charges will apply."
My reply: "Thanks, so as a Platinum I could get a freebie for 50MB, 150MB and 300MB (one of each) and then it’d be time to pull out the credit card..?"
His reply: "Your question on wifi- your understanding is correct. One free on each of the options, then you can pull out the credit card or use miles to redeem for additional data."
Now I'm sorta taking that at face-value, but this indicates a Platinum could stack each package and get a total of 500MB free. Would seem rather curious if that were the case so I'd suggest starting the freebie sessions at 300MB!
A bit more on this at https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...requent-flyers
Also, the return of chauffeur drive for miles-based redemption bookings is limited to a one-way trip: from the press release just issued:
However, it appears to be not quite as simple as, for example, a Platinum continually refreshing his or her 300MB/US$30 package, or a Gold paying only 25% of US$30 for a series of 300MB packages.
I raised the criteria with an EY press spokesman, asking if this might be limited to just one package (eg 1 x 300MB package) before paying full bottle.
His reply: "The discounts are available for all 3 packages in 1 session which is 1 x 50MB, 1 x 150MB & 1 x 300MB. After the discount has been applied to all 3 packages in one flight, standard charges will apply."
My reply: "Thanks, so as a Platinum I could get a freebie for 50MB, 150MB and 300MB (one of each) and then it’d be time to pull out the credit card..?"
His reply: "Your question on wifi- your understanding is correct. One free on each of the options, then you can pull out the credit card or use miles to redeem for additional data."
Now I'm sorta taking that at face-value, but this indicates a Platinum could stack each package and get a total of 500MB free. Would seem rather curious if that were the case so I'd suggest starting the freebie sessions at 300MB!
A bit more on this at https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...requent-flyers
Also, the return of chauffeur drive for miles-based redemption bookings is limited to a one-way trip: from the press release just issued:
Guests with Gold and above tier status will be offered a complimentary one-way chauffeur service to or from Abu Dhabi International Airport, when travelling in Business and First on miles redemption tickets.
Nov 15, 2019, 8:15 am
#3
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Dubai and Brisbane
Programs: EY Gold
Posts: 67
Free/discounted 500 MB may not be much but the improvements to the programme show that at least the race to the bottom in Etihad seems to be over and with the Midfield Terminal opening soon Etihad can once again become a real alternative to Emirates and Qatar Airways.
Nov 15, 2019, 8:55 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 404
per management, base case for opening of the midfield terminal is H2 2020
Nov 15, 2019, 9:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,264
...do remember chauffeur cars were taken away from premium redemption bookings a few years ago, all EY are doing here is re-introducing that benefit & effectively only 50% of the previous benefit...unless using a hack (two one-ways)@:-) The wi-fi benefit is new I believe so some kudos there..
Nov 16, 2019, 1:20 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 404
...do remember chauffeur cars were taken away from premium redemption bookings a few years ago, all EY are doing here is re-introducing that benefit & effectively only 50% of the previous benefit...unless using a hack (two one-ways)@:-) The wi-fi benefit is new I believe so some kudos there..
Dec 10, 2019, 12:10 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum; Accor Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,356
WHOOOP ! Happy to say that WiFi was FINALLY free on my LHR-AUH A380 flight this past Sunday !!! I could choose any packaga at $0 cost and then when it ran out take one of the others for the same extortionate fee of NOTHING !
Dec 10, 2019, 12:11 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Etihad Guest Platinum; Accor Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,356
Sorry for the shouting but I've waited forever for this Platinum perk that should have been there from day 1.0
