Crediting points and status from Etihad

[serfty]

Hadn’t thought of that! But surely if you have booked tix and added FF number before potential plug pull, they would still have to honour? Or is that very naive?

Generally, if such happens between booking and travel you would be out of luck.

 

[ozstamps]

'surely if you have booked tix and added FF number before potential plug pull, they would still have to honour?'

Not at all sure.

Say any of us bought tickets for April direct off Etihad, and they soon announce the deal is off from March 31, I can bet Etihad will not waive any cancel fees, NOR will Velocity offer any SC if flights are taken etc.

 

[Blinky]

I went through a travel agent for our Business flights in March next year, gave her both my and my wife’s VA number and both show up on the Etihad website.

But thanks for the heads up over this. I will check again closer to departure to make sure all is okay. I’m also counting on SCs and eligible sectors in particular. It worked fine the last two times we flew Etihad.

 

[SCM]

Remotely tempted to buy from Etihad biz tickets to Europe for early 2025 but of course am concerned that Qatar's current moves might see Etihad out the door re SC earns etc for Velocity members.

Any guesses on when they will finally pull the plug on that?

I think with that kind of thinking you are just going to miss out, and it will become a bit of a negative loop of many people do this - it will hurt this partnership.

I have been flying EY this year, and am also booking for Q1 next year already.

 

[ozstamps]

I’m also counting on SCs and eligible sectors in particular. It worked fine the last two times we flew Etihad.

I seem to recall that SECTORS for Velocity status do not count on Etihad flights?

I am never short on those as only 8 needed each year, but do check if they are important to you.

 

[andye]

I seem to recall that SECTORS for Velocity status do not county on Etihad flights? I am never short on those as only 8 needed, but do check if they are important to you.

Yes need a VA flight number to count as ES

 

[ozstamps]

As I recalled, and as Etihad flights are near impossible to book on the Virgin website as they autopopulate with SQ and Qatar flights, good luck getting a Virgin flight number!

 

[Blinky]

I seem to recall that SECTORS for Velocity status do not count on Etihad flights?

I am never short on those as only 8 needed each year, but do check if they are important to you.

Thank you. Not great news, but as you say, 8 sectors isn’t hard to achieve.

 

[ozstamps]

I think with that kind of thinking you are just going to miss out, and it will become a bit of a negative loop of many people do this - it will hurt this partnership.

I have been flying EY this year, and am also booking for Q1 next year already.

The Etihad 'parternership' is pretty much dead.

It is not being 'negative' - it is simple REALITY that QATAR is the new kid on the block

If you are booking Etihad for 2025 and fully expect to get all benefits that now exist, you are a brave man after today's email blast -

Jayney emailed today, saying Virgin is aiming on getting approved 25% Qatar ownership, AND adding this VERY interesting tidbit -

Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha from mid-2025, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network1. These extra flights will be operated under wet-lease by Qatar Airways and will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers.

 

[SCM]

The Etihad 'parternership' is pretty much dead.

It is not being 'negative' - it is simple REALITY that QATAR is the new kid on the block

If you are booking Etihad for 2025 and fully expect to get all benefits that now exist, you are a brave man after today's email blast -

Jayney emailed today, saying Virgin is aiming on getting approved 25% Qatar ownership, AND adding this VERY interesting tidbit -

Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to Doha from mid-2025, connecting seamlessly into Qatar Airways’ global network1. These extra flights will be operated under wet-lease by Qatar Airways and will open up more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Australian travellers.

That's fine, but I expect to fly to Europe at least 3 times before "mid-2025" - and I highly doubt they will remove Etihad until then at the least.

 

[Blinky]

I’m flying out in March next year on Etihad. I might look at changing to Qatar. I know it will cost, but the main reason I chose Etihad was the VA partnership.