Etihad removes lounge access, seat selection from Business "Value" fares

[Thibault]

From March 4 onwards - new bookings on cheapest Business Fare Value will no longer include Lounge access and EY will charge for seat selection and the fare is not refundable.

https://www.etihadhub.com/en-ae/news/branded-fare-attribute-differentiation

https://www.etihadhub.com/content/dam/eag/etihadairways/etihadhub/assets/documents/faq/branded_fares_phase_2_faqs_v2_25.02.2025.pdf

Outstation chauffeur service is being introduced and wifi access for upper-fare brands.

 

[zainman]

Bring back redemptions on partners more than 30 days out!

 

[SYD]

At least QR “lite” fares get a lounge with OW/VA status.

Presumably EY elites will still get something? Who else? Obviously not VA peeps anymore!

 

[clifford]

Presumably EY elites will still get something? Who else? Obviously not VA peeps anymore!

It was nice while it lasted. Being upgraded from J to F on a flight AUH-GVA was very nice, but that's all in the past now.

I may not fly EY ever again (not that they're a bad airline). No incentives now, and their FFP is carp.

 

[SYD]

It was nice while it lasted. Being upgraded from J to F on a flight AUH-GVA was very nice, but that's all in the past now.

I may not fly EY ever again (not that they're a bad airline). No incentives now, and their FFP is carp.

Yes, I enjoyed a J to F upgrade CDG-AUH. Possibly one of the best flights ever.

I would like to check out the new airport - finally - but can’t see it happening now.

 

[WilsonM]

At least QR “lite” fares get a lounge with OW/VA status.

Presumably EY elites will still get something? Who else? Obviously not VA peeps anymore!

QR seem to have quietly re-added lounge access on their Classic fares (at least the ones I've searched for). The only thing they don't provide is free seat selection.

 

[SYD]

QR seem to have quietly re-added lounge access on their Classic fares (at least the ones I've searched for). The only thing they don't provide is free seat selection.

Really?

Must look myself. We had a P Class CGK-DOH-MUC just before Christmas. I’d forgotten it was P and did the walk of shame to the nearest Platinum lounge…. Fortunately it was C or whatever regular on the way home.

 

[madrooster]

QR seem to have quietly re-added lounge access on their Classic fares (at least the ones I've searched for). The only thing they don't provide is free seat selection.

Classic fares (R class) have always had lounge access. It's the lite fares (P class) that do not have lounge access.

 

[SYD]

Classic fares (R class) have always had lounge access. It's the lite fares (P class) that do not have lounge access.

Not all routes “offer” P class - so that could cause confusion.