Aer Lingus and Etihad

[Jack_OC]

I asked Aer Lingus through Facebook and they referred me to Etiahd. I asked Etihad through Facebook and they referred me to their website. This time I managed to find this page http://www.etihad.com/en/about-us/our-partners/aer-lingus/ which seems to suggest you do earn Miles. Looks like a done deal to me... Might have to ask AmEx for a credit limit increase so I can get pay for it and get some extra Miles through them!

I'm guessing you're referring to this bit: "Members of the Etihad Guest loyalty programme are able to earn miles on Aer Lingus codeshare flights, the benefits of which are detailed more extensively on our Etihad Guest website"?

It's still not clear to me if "Aer Lingus codeshare flights" means Aer Lingus operated flights with an EY code, or Etihad operated flights with an EI code (or both).

I also find it a bit concerning that neither airline will confirm if you would earn miles of not! I think the onus should be on EY to confirm that, since you're asking about their loyalty program and therefore their rules.

Anyway, if you go for it, please report back about success or otherwise!

 

[IrishPete]

I chickened out of paying over 6k, and hung out for the Economy prices with Etihad to drop, which they did. 1900 for Sydney to Dublin in July returning in August. The return leg is via Perth, but still reasonably quick.

(Of course I actually live much nearer Canberra but a) the fares don't come close b) driving to Sydney airport is about as quick as going through Canberra airport because of slow connections and limited choices - despite the lack of a curfew there are no flights to Canberra from Melbourne or Syd late in the evening c) Canberra airport parking would cost me $350 for the month, compared to around $200 in Sydney. d) And FOG - once my return flight to Canberra (from Sydney, on my way back from Ireland) was cancelled due to fog, and they tried to put us on a coach. I rented a car instead. As I drove home through dazzling sunshine, I heard the Manager of Canberra Airport interviewed on ABC Canberra saying that the problem fog had been in Sydney not Canberra.

I booked through Travel.com.au (the same fare wasn't available with Etihad or American Express), so am hoping I will still receive the upgrade auction offer. I have enough points to upgrade the Abu Dhabi to Dublin leg in both directions.

The Aer Lingus Business Class fares are still available, throughout the year.