First time in J, what to expect?

[kaktusdigital]

Hi All,

With the points slowly piling, if all goes well I'll be experiencing J with my wife for the very first time ! The hope is MEL-CDG-MEL (code share Etihad) at some point next year. It might be quite a common affair for seasoned travelers but for me it will be quite the thrill. Not sure when the next time I'll be able to experience this will be so I wanted make sure I take it all in. Any tips or things I should do or look out for in general?

Thank you in advance!

 

[kevinkhchan]

I'm not quite able to provide any tips as I have only just racked up one PE and two J trips this year (just completed one on a VA International Short Haul today).

All I can say is that it has been a great experience for me thus far. I doubt I will ever tire of it.

My personal experience has been to plan ahead. For example, finding out which lounges are better options (if there are more than one) and where these lounges are located. I had wasted some time in SIN looking for the lounge on my way to PEN... in contrast today I was able to mosey along to SilverKris lounge in PER with my VA J boarding pass to DPS and gain access.

I spent some time researching the Book the Cook options for my SQ flights and had wonderful meals. Not sure what is available for Etihad.

The AFF elites here will undoubtedly be able to provide valuable advice.

Most of my fun has been had planning my J trips. My SO was upset that I was focussing on our trip to HEL in March next year instead of the one we are currently taking to DPS.

 

[EUROPA]

Hi All,

With the points slowly piling, if all goes well I'll be experiencing J with my wife for the very first time ! The hope is MEL-CDG-MEL (code share Etihad) at some point next year. It might be quite a common affair for seasoned travelers but for me it will be quite the thrill. Not sure when the next time I'll be able to experience this will be so I wanted make sure I take it all in. Any tips or things I should do or look out for in general?

Thank you in advance!

Will both tickets be on points or will you purchase one and redeem one? If one of your tickets is purchased then you are eligible for a free nights stay in AUH and EY chauffeur (some limitations on this)

https://www.etihad.com/en-au/plan-and-book/book-stopovers/premium-stopovers/
https://www.etihad.com/en-au/experience-etihad/etihad-chauffeur/

CDG is one of the best destinations in Europe for EY so I would pick this. From MEL try and get 777 all the way to CDG and avoid A346 if possible.

 

[smit0847]

CDG is one of the best destinations in Europe for EY

What do you mean by this?

 

[kaktusdigital]

Will both tickets be on points or will you purchase one and redeem one? If one of your tickets is purchased then you are eligible for a free nights stay in AUH and EY chauffeur (some limitations on this)



CDG is one of the best destinations in Europe for EY so I would pick this. From MEL try and get 777 all the way to CDG and avoid A346 if possible.

At this point probably points all the way, if we don't quite hit our mark it'll be Y there and J back. I've noticed that 1 way prices always seem to be quite a bit more expensive. Is it the outgoing Vs incoming taxes that dictate the split in the costs?
Looks like both 77W right now. What a shame they don't have bar like the A380's!

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hi All,

With the points slowly piling, if all goes well I'll be experiencing J with my wife for the very first time ! The hope is MEL-CDG-MEL (code share Etihad) at some point next year. It might be quite a common affair for seasoned travelers but for me it will be quite the thrill. Not sure when the next time I'll be able to experience this will be so I wanted make sure I take it all in. Any tips or things I should do or look out for in general?

Thank you in advance!

Ah. Fond memories. One's first J (and F) flights are a wonderful experiences, but caution is required.

I well remember in the 90's staying over in London after a German business trip and greeting MrsTMA at Heathrow after she flew over so we could spend Xmas in England. Given she was traveling by herself we treated her to J (on KLM) and the first words she said on meeting were "I'm never travelling in the back again!"

She never has...

 

[EUROPA]

What do you mean by this?

New EY Lounge
2 flights per day to/from AUH (currently 1 777, 1 A346)
Easy connections to pretty much anywhere else in Europe
Low taxes (compare to LHR!!)
Good availability for reward tickets compared to other European destinations
Priority customs/security
EY Chauffeur available
Good connection and stopover times when connecting through AUH to SYD

 

[kaktusdigital]

Ah. Fond memories. One's first J (and F) flights are a wonderful experiences, but caution is required.

I well remember in the 90's staying over in London after a German business trip and greeting MrsTMA at Heathrow after she flew over so we could spend Xmas in England. Given she was traveling by herself we treated her to J (on KLM) and the first words she said on meeting were "I'm never travelling in the back again!"

She never has...

yeah that's what i'm afraid of. Once we experience it we'll be hooked. A question though.. all things being equal.. would you happily pay cash to travel in J instead of Y? On average we're talking sometimes 3 X the cost.

 

[smit0847]

yeah that's what i'm afraid of. Once we experience it we'll be hooked. A question though.. all things being equal.. would you happily pay cash to travel in J instead of Y? On average we're talking sometimes 3 X the cost.

I would never pay the asking price for J. I dont think its worth it. Some people do though

 

[coriander]

the first words she said on meeting were "I'm never travelling in the back again!"
She never has...

+1.

A few years ago, her employer flew Mrs C to JFK on QF J. Totally ruined her, and then she corrupted me by forcing me to fly J. We're going to USA next year J but with points-upgrade to F booked.

I'm worried I'll corrupt Mrs C even more...........

 

[kaktusdigital]

+1.

A few years ago, he employer flew Mrs C to JFK on QF J. Totally ruined her, and then she corrupted me by forcing me to fly J. We're going to USA next year J but with points-upgrade to F booked.

I'm worried I'll corrupt Mrs C even more...........

well look on the bright side, after F you've only got the residence on EY to 'aspire' to

Speaking of F. Does anyone know what the points required are for F on EY (in velocity points) I also assume you'll need to call up and book as the search engine doesn't show it.

 

[EUROPA]

well look on the bright side, after F you've only got the residence on EY to 'aspire' to

Speaking of F. Does anyone know what the points required are for F on EY (in velocity points) I also assume you'll need to call up and book as the search engine doesn't show it.

1.5*J points if I remember. Yes, you need to call to book.

 

[TheRealTMA]

yeah that's what i'm afraid of. Once we experience it we'll be hooked. A question though.. all things being equal.. would you happily pay cash to travel in J instead of Y? On average we're talking sometimes 3 X the cost.

Yep, all the time. Never flying whY again. Most unfortunate way to travel on long hall. It used to be ok but these days life is too short and whY is much worse than it used to be.

Actually, now she doesn't like getting on the plane and turning right...

 

[TheRealTMA]

+1.

A few years ago, her employer flew Mrs C to JFK on QF J. Totally ruined her, and then she corrupted me by forcing me to fly J. We're going to USA next year J but with points-upgrade to F booked.

I'm worried I'll corrupt Mrs C even more...........

Remember the old adage "If you don't fly First, your children will."

 

[djchuckles]

187,500 for F SYD to LHR.

I live in Brisbane but am flying SYD to LHR so I can go on the A380 I have F outbound (777 first leg and A380 second) then J return (all A380)

Very excited - i've never flown F and minimal J flights (all points upgrades)