First timer on Etihad for VA Gold

[Happy Dude]

On Wednesday, I'm flying EY CBR - BNE - AUH - CDG vv but via MEL on the way back. I only got the ticket this evening and it's Economy (K) which earns at discount Y. I've not flown EY before nor long haul as a VA gold.

I may transfer some AmEx points to Etihad Guest (of which I'm not a member yet) to perhaps upgrade on the return leg, unless K fares can't be upgraded (?). Is it a stacked lottery like QF?

Also, is the trek to Al Reem worth it in a 2.5hr layover? I have Priority Pass too if that throws up any better options but I don't think any are in T3.

Tips on squeezing the most out of VA gold in long haul Y also appreciated.

 

[Jack_OC]

On Wednesday, I'm flying EY CBR - BNE - AUH - CDG vv but via MEL on the way back. I only got the ticket this evening and it's Economy (K) which earns at discount Y. I've not flown EY before nor long haul as a VA gold.

I may transfer some AmEx points to Etihad Guest (of which I'm not a member yet) to perhaps upgrade on the return leg, unless K fares can't be upgraded (?). Is it a stacked lottery like QF?

Also, is the trek to Al Reem worth it in a 2.5hr layover? I have Priority Pass too if that throws up any better options but I don't think any are in T3.

Tips on squeezing the most out of VA gold in long haul Y also appreciated.

EY upgrades are approved instantly if successful - no QF-esque lottery.

It's a few years since I've been in the Al Reem lounge, but when I was there it was decent enough. I've seen people bag it on this forum - perhaps understandable compared to the actual EY lounges in AUH, but in more general terms it was by no means at the lower end of the range of lounges I've experienced. It had nice food and good service - e.g. staff proactively coming around and offering more drinks etc. It also had perfectly good showers. No idea if any of this has changed since I was there though.

By the way, AUH can be very congested, so getting around can take longer than you might expect - even if your connecting flight is departing from the gate next door to the one you are getting off, you usually have to walk around in a big circle to go through security etc. It does depend on time of day and so on, but you might not have a whole lot of lounge time.

 

[Happy Dude]

EY upgrades are approved instantly if successful - no QF-esque lottery.

It's a few years since I've been in the Al Reem lounge, but when I was there it was decent enough. I've seen people bag it on this forum - perhaps understandable compared to the actual EY lounges in AUH, but in more general terms it was by no means at the lower end of the range of lounges I've experienced. It had nice food and good service - e.g. staff proactively coming around and offering more drinks etc. It also had perfectly good showers. No idea if any of this has changed since I was there though.

By the way, AUH can be very congested, so getting around can take longer than you might expect - even if your connecting flight is departing from the gate next door to the one you are getting off, you usually have to walk around in a big circle to go through security etc. It does depend on time of day and so on, but you might not have a whole lot of lounge time.

Thanks Jack3193. Sounds worthwhile, if only to stretch the legs.....

 

[Happy Dude]

Just a post-script to this....

My AUH inbound flights (BNE-AUH and CDG-AUH) landed at the gate next to the Al Reem lounge, which was decent enough but over-crowded both times, but there was a screening point immediately after disembarkation. It was stinking hot and took 30mins to get through it each time. The unpleasantness of all that was matched by the staff. They made some people take off shoes and of course there's nowhere to put them back on again.

Incredibly, there was a bag check point at the AUH-MEL departure gate - more queuing! - where drinks bought at the shops just metres away were confiscated.

I was not overly impressed with the Etihad Y product (cabin was full on all segments so others disagree or their pricing must be right) so, coupled with the awful airport, I don't think I'd darken their doorstep if I was paying (my client organised travel in this instance). I did appreciate the priority services, onboard VA gold acknowledgment and early meal choice though - although the latter two was only on the AUH-MEL leg.

 

[Denali]

Just a post-script to this....

My AUH inbound flights (BNE-AUH and CDG-AUH) landed at the gate next to the Al Reem lounge, which was decent enough but over-crowded both times, but there was a screening point immediately after disembarkation. It was stinking hot and took 30mins to get through it each time. The unpleasantness of all that was matched by the staff. They made some people take off shoes and of course there's nowhere to put them back on again.

Incredibly, there was a bag check point at the AUH-MEL departure gate - more queuing! - where drinks bought at the shops just metres away were confiscated.

Must admit, I was surprised when I read you considered a trip to Al Reem on a 2.5hr layover, I doubt Im going to get to the lounge for our 2.5hr layover!

We are actually thinking of using Pearl Assist for the transit to get through the crowd a bit faster - for the novelty factor and Ive read such bad things about the transit and we should get to the front of the queues. Thankfully we have J so at least when we get to our seat, I can get a cold drink.

Thanks for the update, much appreciated.

 

[jbman]

I have to agree. Getting off the plane to be bussed to the terminal to line up in a disorganised fashion after a long trip is painful. AUH is a terrible stop over. Having gold and being able to visit the lounge is nice since the flights I have taken the lounge is just after the security check point.

The smoking room attached to the lounge is unpleasant as everytime someone goes through the door the smoke enters the lounge.

 

[Happy Dude]

Must admit, I was surprised when I read you considered a trip to Al Reem on a 2.5hr layover, I doubt Im going to get to the lounge for our 2.5hr layover!

We are actually thinking of using Pearl Assist for the transit to get through the crowd a bit faster - for the novelty factor and Ive read such bad things about the transit and we should get to the front of the queues. Thankfully we have J so at least when we get to our seat, I can get a cold drink.

Thanks for the update, much appreciated.

I think there's a separate lane for F & J pax.

 

[im.daniel]

I think there's a separate lane for F & J pax.

Not once have I seen it work (peak/non-peak hour transit). It's a free for all.

 

[dec540]

Just a post-script to this....

My AUH inbound flights (BNE-AUH and CDG-AUH) landed at the gate next to the Al Reem lounge, which was decent enough but over-crowded both times, but there was a screening point immediately after disembarkation. It was stinking hot and took 30mins to get through it each time. The unpleasantness of all that was matched by the staff. They made some people take off shoes and of course there's nowhere to put them back on again.

Incredibly, there was a bag check point at the AUH-MEL departure gate - more queuing! - where drinks bought at the shops just metres away were confiscated.

I was not overly impressed with the Etihad Y product (cabin was full on all segments so others disagree or their pricing must be right) so, coupled with the awful airport, I don't think I'd darken their doorstep if I was paying (my client organised travel in this instance). I did appreciate the priority services, onboard VA gold acknowledgment and early meal choice though - although the latter two was only on the AUH-MEL leg.

For what it's worth that's the same situation in Singapore, so you get it regardless of which VA partner you fly to Europe..