Etihad First class to Paris for $1k more than business.

malmacdowall · Jun 13, 2011

Off to a regular yearly meeting in Paris (I know, but someone has to do it )
The first 4 years were in Economy, last year was mixed economy and business.
This time i was looking for a business class deal all the way... My preference is a DJ related airline that awards SC and points. So VAustralia or Etihad.
Etihad business flights come in around $8k

I found this link on best flights for mixed business and first class.. Mixed fare is a
From $8800.
http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap...s-details/uk-and-europe/etihad-airways/109077

No luck booking this direct with Etihad and wasn't sure about booking direct with best flights....

So called the local flight centre who worked really hard for me but couldn't match the airfare BUT did get me a fully First class airfare for around $9k..... Mmmmmm very tempting to spend the extra $1k and experience first class over and back.... Nice....

Will see and hopefully book this week....

Misha · Jun 13, 2011

Malcolm - you are far too kind. Should've waited till you booked it before sharing on the interweb: it may be sold before you get a chance to get your seat :shock:

Noob · Jun 14, 2011

Etihad has suites in first.....

malmacdowall · Jun 14, 2011

Noob said:
Etihad has suites in first.....

That's the gamble... Some aircraft have the suites whilst others still have the old first class seats...
On my last EY trip to AUH, the aircraft had the suites, so here's hoping I get the right aircraft .....

I am sure first would be nice either way.... After all, it is still first class.....

Deleted member 29185 · Jun 14, 2011

Hell of a fare to Paris though

.

Never been F, probably never will at those prices so may I ask, is it really worth it?

malmacdowall · Jun 15, 2011

swanning_it said:
Hell of a fare to Paris though .

Never been F, probably never will at those prices so may I ask, is it really worth it?

Will be travelling business anyway and the ticket would be $8k to $8.5k, so for an extra $500 to $1000....
for 40 hours approx travel (Over and back) and use of the F lounge and an experience.... for $12 to $25 / hr of travel... yep... its worth the try for me....

connieguy · Jun 15, 2011

malmacdowall said:
Will be travelling business anyway and the ticket would be $8k to $8.5k, so for an extra $500 to $1000....
for 40 hours approx travel (Over and back) and use of the F lounge and an experience.... for $12 to $25 / hr of travel... yep... its worth the try for me....

Enjoy and let us know your experience. I have only traveled F once on a QF opup which was from a -Y fare I upgraded with points to J.

Gotta say the QF F Lounge in Mel & Syd is fantastic.

samh004 · Jun 15, 2011

swanning_it said:
Hell of a fare to Paris though .

Never been F, probably never will at those prices so may I ask, is it really worth it?

It's more than an experience, or just comfort related, and when you compare the J and F prices in this case, of F with Etihad and F with Qantas prices, it's a steal.

malmacdowall · Jun 21, 2011

Airfare booked... Looking forward to the flights and experience.....

tinkybelle · Jul 8, 2011

so how was the flight?

malmacdowall · Jul 8, 2011

Flight is at the end of sept...... Still counting the days.... In the meantime I'm off to Fiji with the Family this weekend for 9 days of fun and sun......

malmacdowall · Sep 25, 2011

Flight departs this Friday...... I am excited that it is finally here and looking forward to it.

I have contacted Etihad and booked the Chauffeur pickup and drop off.
So apparently the chauffeur service will all to confine the pickup time. Its only 5 days away and I haven't heard from them yet.... I figure if I don't hear anything by Thursday then I should followup.....

RB · Sep 26, 2011

malmacdowall said:
Flight departs this Friday...... I am excited that it is finally here and looking forward to it.

I have contacted Etihad and booked the Chauffeur pickup and drop off.
So apparently the chauffeur service will all to confine the pickup time. Its only 5 days away and I haven't heard from them yet.... I figure if I don't hear anything by Thursday then I should followup.....

We were only in J coming into Syd in June. When we tried to confirm we were just reassured there would be nothing wrong-I posted this as the end of my trip report
"The limo driver (booked at time of buying the ticket) was waiting & led us to a near new Caprice. Our driver indicated he got work from Etihad when the contracted firm could not fulfil all requests. Over 40 yrs with a hire car meant our driver was a good conversationalist and less than an hour after landing we were dropped at our friends place at Caringbah- a very rapid transfer."

cityflyer369 · Sep 28, 2011

malmacdowall said:
Will be travelling business anyway and the ticket would be $8k to $8.5k, so for an extra $500 to $1000....
for 40 hours approx travel (Over and back) and use of the F lounge and an experience.... for $12 to $25 / hr of travel... yep... its worth the try for me....

Note that the AUH F lounge is free for Platinum members travelling alone, no matter which cabin class you fly in. (There is another thread about this.)
I wish you a great trip. I think I would have done the same (albeit would not do it on a regular basis). But would be cool to try it out once.

malmacdowall · Sep 28, 2011

The chauffeur service called and booked me in for a pickup on Friday pm..... Looking forward to the whole experience...... I don't plan to do it regularly but once off should be fun...

malmacdowall · Sep 30, 2011

Picked up by the chauffeur in a BMW 750 .... Heaps of leg room... Like taking an armchair to the airport..... Led in door lighting , tv screen .... Luxury .... A great start ....

malmacdowall · Sep 30, 2011

NZ lounge access... Not bad but I did think that perhaps it's time VA and Etihad had an F lounge..... Average food selection ... Help yourself spirits .... G&T time...

malmacdowall · Sep 30, 2011

Boarding the A340-500 in Melb. Welcomed at the door and shown to my seat. G&T organized (see a theme?)

William the food and beverage manager dropped by and introduced himself. Sitting in 1F....

As I was hoping it's the aircraft with the F suites....