Good J prices: EY MNL-Europe rtn

[Ric]

okay, my time to pose a question if I may. I booked EY when they were on special ex Germany, routing FRA-AUH-KUL and back for less than 1,800 Euro at the time. Outbound in late May, arriving KUL at 8.05, inbound mid-September, departing KUL at 9.45. This makes for two trips to Europe and to get back to and out of SYD, I picked up PR Business for $1,300 return.

PR has now cancelled the last flight of the day in September and instead of arriving at KUL at 11.45pm the day before the EY flights to FRA, they rebooked me to arrive in KUL half an hour after that flight departs. Obviously separate tickets and looking back, maybe I should have left more than ten hours but this is too late now.

I got in touch with PR to ask whether they will cover my hotel for the night, as the schedule change resulted in an overnight stay in MNL. One question would be if I would have to pay that travel/ departure tax if I enter the country and stay close to the airport, rather than just transiting?

The other option is to change my EY flights - they change flight times by ten minutes every few weeks so I can rebook to the evening flight ex KUL without penalty. But again this would require an overnight stay in MNL and I am unsure about the tax.

The other option is to cancel the second flight (SYD-MNL-KUL) and rebook on the cheap Air Asia/ MH direct flight, to give me an overnight stay in KUL before the EY departure at 9.45am. I hope this makes sense, apologies for the long message.

AFAIK, The Travel tax applies to Filipinos only.

 

[CMA222]

AFAIK, The Travel tax applies to Filipinos only.

Correct.

 

[clifford]

I think the 777’s have a tired cabin and I personally try to avoid them but some people don’t mind them

I don't mind them. They're 1-2-1 and not uncomfortable and beat the 787 layout where you have forward/rearward facing seats, and everyone is looking at everyone else. Also better than most 2-2-2 layouts.

But YMMV...

 

[SeanExile]

Thanks for the heads up on the EY offers from MNL. Booked them to Europe and managed to plans for a stopover on the return. Fantastic value for money and I look forward to the lounge in Abu Dhabi.

Now to an interesting question - what to do with the mileage accrual from this ticket?
I'm a oneworld lad, main account is with QR. I have never bothered with EY before nor do I have anything with Virgin Australia. Any good suggestions?

EY offers free usage of chat programs to those who are members of their FF programs, hence I enrolled, but that doesn't mean I need to credit my miles there.

 

[SYD]

Thanks for the heads up on the EY offers from MNL. Booked them to Europe and managed to plans for a stopover on the return. Fantastic value for money and I look forward to the lounge in Abu Dhabi.

Now to an interesting question - what to do with the mileage accrual from this ticket?
I'm a oneworld lad, main account is with QR. I have never bothered with EY before nor do I have anything with Virgin Australia. Any good suggestions?

EY offers free usage of chat programs to those who are members of their FF programs, hence I enrolled, but that doesn't mean I need to credit my miles there.

VA is possibly the best bet - points and SCs?

Where to Credit | Where to Credit Etihad Flights in J Booking Class

Find the best frequent flyer program for Etihad flights in booking class J!

www.wheretocredit.com

If you make a habit of it, VA WP gets EY F lounge access in AUH.

 

[andye]

Thanks for the heads up on the EY offers from MNL. Booked them to Europe and managed to plans for a stopover on the return. Fantastic value for money and I look forward to the lounge in Abu Dhabi.

Now to an interesting question - what to do with the mileage accrual from this ticket?
I'm a oneworld lad, main account is with QR. I have never bothered with EY before nor do I have anything with Virgin Australia. Any good suggestions?

EY offers free usage of chat programs to those who are members of their FF programs, hence I enrolled, but that doesn't mean I need to credit my miles there.

I'd go with VA myself but if you have to go for a OW option AA. I can't find any good reason to credit to EY

I wad surprised to see LY as a partner

 

[Peter78]

On seperate tickets I’d be very surprised if PR would want to have anything to do with your scenario and it sounds harsh but I seriously doubt they will care about your situation as to them you simply have a return fare booked and that’s all. I’d suselect you will need to provide your own hotel and also pay any relevant taxes as you will need to enter the Philippines.
What are the fare rules on your PR tickets?
Will they allow you you to rebook, reschedule or even cancel without penalty?
Personally I’d be happy with a night in Manila and would wear the costs but everyone has different priorities, budgets or time schedules

I can now answer my own question, as I just got back earlier this week. As this is mostly around PR, there are two parts to this:

1. sectors just flown, KUL-MNL-SYD. PR cancelled their own KUL-MNL flight about a month ago and wanted to rebook me to KUL-MNL-BNE-SYD, with the last sector on JQ. I pushed back and they accepted a 1hr 5mins connection at MNL, using MH804 and PR211. Having never transited through MNL, I realise now this was a bit naive but a PR staff member was waiting for me at the gate and assisted me. My bag didn't make it and will be delivered today, no charges for this change and everything done via WhatsApp chat.
2. sectors to be flown in September, SYD-MNL-KUL. Etihad allowed me to change flights free of charge due to a schedule change so I now arrive at KUL about ten hours before EY departs to AUH and then FRA. This means an overnight at MNL between arriving from SYD and leaving for KUL but so be it, I remember seeing a list of recommended hotels close to MNL somewhere on the forum previously. And I will use the time in Kuala Lumpur to meet up with a friend so no problem.

A few words on my one and only PR experience, flight 211 on Tuesday night: extremely friendly service, great food and, best of all, the speed of service was amazing. Admittedly, I ate quickly to maximise my rest but my tray was collected 52 minutes after take off, and I had starter and main! I woke up 55 minutes prior to landing and was still offered full breakfast. Comfortable seat/ bed, too, overall compares very favourably to QF87 earlier this month, in all aspects. The flight arrived an hour early as well, the only non-premium aspect is arriving at a bus gate but this is likely not PR's fault. And at $1,300 for Business, KUL-SYD-KUL, a bargain. Now let's see how Wamos Air compares, PR has wet leased them for the Sydney rotations, including for September.

 

[wohoo]

Currently in the etihad lounge in AUHenjoying watching the sunrise. Thanks to this thread. Changing airports from niny aqunio T1 to T3 was fine. There is a free bus service on the right hand side near where all the atms are. No need to use a grab and pay 290 php cash to change airports. Customs and security looked chaotic at t3, but was fairly fast to get in the airport itself.
Make sure you pre print your tickets to explain to customs why you are only in phillipines for a few hours to transit.

 

[k_sheep]

VA is possibly the best bet - points and SCs?

Where to Credit | Where to Credit Etihad Flights in J Booking Class

Find the best frequent flyer program for Etihad flights in booking class J!

www.wheretocredit.com

If you make a habit of it, VA WP gets EY F lounge access in AUH.

Ohh just booked flights from CGK to Europe ... didn't realise you could earn SC on VA.

Hmmmmm probably makes my decision easier for where to credit - was eyeing off AA and AC where I have some warehoused. I'll be back up to gold (accidentally got it the last 2 years, never really flying VA by choice but often out of necessity) with a single trip thanks to family pooling (once I do 2 VA dom flights I guess).

 

[SYD]

Ohh just booked flights from CGK to Europe ... didn't realise you could earn SC on VA.

Hmmmmm probably makes my decision easier for where to credit - was eyeing off AA and AC where I have some warehoused. I'll be back up to gold (accidentally got it the last 2 years, never really flying VA by choice but often out of necessity) with a single trip thanks to family pooling (once I do 2 VA dom flights I guess).

Four elegible sectors to attain/retain VA SG but worth it if you’ve otherwise got the SCs.

8x sectors for VA WP is a bit a drag for those more focused on international longhaul - unless you book one of the partners with VA codes (but that doesn’t include these fares…)

 

[k_sheep]

Four elegible sectors to attain/retain VA SG but worth it if you’ve otherwise got the SCs.

8x sectors for VA WP is a bit a drag for those more focused on international longhaul - unless you book one of the partners with VA codes (but that doesn’t include these fares…)

Ah I must already have 2 then, it's showing 2 required. Pretty sure I'll knock that off easily enough. Flying from MCY with no lounge, it's pretty easy to go VA instead of QF!

 

[Scarlett]

Finally got around to using these fares for Mrs and Mstr Scarlett to fly J to Europe: MNL-AUH-FCO-LIS (EY/EY/TP) and then returning LIS-LHR-AUH-MNL (TP/EY/EY).

Ultimate destination in Europe (sort of) is Madeira and the Azores.

Mstr Scarlett chose the return via LHR (rather than similarly priced and timed options via BCN, MAD and AMS) as the LHR-AUH leg is on the A380.

Because of the dates we wanted to fly (limited by Spring school holidays timings) and the deliberate choice of connections, it was just short of $3K per pax. Could have gone to IST, CAI, or even DUB for a few hundred less per person, but making the most of the time available was the priority, plus the connections to them get to the Atlantic islands would’ve likely eaten up the cost saving.

These flights (EY crediting to VFF), along with a 3xSC booking on VA up to CNS in a couple of weeks, covers most of the WP requal for Mrs Scarlett.

I’m not travelling with them on those flights as I have a different cunning plan, which I’m debating opening a trip report thread on.

 

[Blinky]

Booked MEL-LHR J in March 2025 with my wife and return VIE-MEL in May. Only one sector on an A380, which is a pity. J class in EY is up with the best in my opinion (SQ is the other contender). I will have WP by then so can get into AUH F Lounge.
The flights will attract enough SCs to maintain WP, and I intend to complete the required sectors later next year to keep it longer.
The last time we flew to Europe with EY we were able to upgrade to F for almost nothing. Fingers crossed for the same outcome. I realise F will not be available on all sectors.
We weren’t looking to find bargain fares, but $7000 each at that time of the year seemed pretty good to me.

 

[WGBoy]

Looks like a tired cabin

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My trip (MNL-AUH-GVA) is coming up in the next 2 weeks and have got couple of questions for the community.

1. My current booking has got Etihad guest number. I didn't have VFF while booking the tickets last October. I joined Flybuys & VFF recently and looks like I can transfer my flybuys & Amex MR points to VFF.

Can I add my VFF number to the ticket while checkin so that the miles & SC's are credited to VFF?. Will I still get access to Business Lounge in AUH?

Posts #69 to 72 says I can. Just wanted to know the nitty gritty of adding it.

2. Since I can access various lounges using my Amex Plat while travelling, what other benefits VFF gets me, if I reach gold apart from 4 domestic reward tickets.

3. If I can still earn points & SC's via partner airlines, do I still have to do 4 eligible flights in VA to retain gold?

 

[andye]

My trip (MNL-AUH-GVA) is coming up in the next 2 weeks and have got couple of questions for the community.

1. My current booking has got Etihad guest number. I didn't have VFF while booking the tickets last October. I joined Flybuys & VFF recently and looks like I can transfer my flybuys & Amex MR points to VFF.

Can I add my VFF number to the ticket while checkin so that the miles & SC's are credited to VFF?. Will I still get access to Business Lounge in AUH?

Posts #69 to 72 says I can. Just wanted to know the nitty gritty of adding it.

2. Since I can access various lounges using my Amex Plat while travelling, what other benefits VFF gets me, if I reach gold apart from 4 domestic reward tickets.

3. If I can still earn points & SC's via partner airlines, do I still have to do 4 eligible flights in VA to retain gold?

1. You can ask at checkin to change the FF number. It may be possible to change it on Etihad Manage My Booking too

2. VA Gold will give you lounge access, priority check in and boarding, extra baggage on VA flights. It will give you access to some lounges on partner flights and sometimes priority/baggage. It varies by airline and be prepared that sometimes partners dont know the VA entitlements.

Gold Membership

Enjoy gold membership benefits as soon as your status credit reaches to 400. benefits includes priority phone service, upgrademe points, advance seat selection, priority wait list and also enjoy priority check-in, virgin Australia lounge, complementary baggage allowance and rewards benefits with...

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

Sometimes the airline lounges are better than the ones that come with Amex/Priority Pass

3. No, you won't hit Gold until you have done 4 revenue VA-coded flights with a 500 SC running total

 

[Duffa]

I have just done all of this, a month ago. Not without problems.....

Can I add my VFF number to the ticket while checkin so that the miles & SC's are credited to VFF?. Will I still get access to Business Lounge in AUH?

I suggest that you call Etihad ASAP and ask them to add your VFF number. Also ask them to remove your Etihad number. Then confirm online in the "manage my booking" section. Then, AT CHECK-IN, confirm that your VFF number is on the boarding pass BEFORE you walk away. This last step was the key point, which I missed.
I was so wrapped up in the J check-in, "look at me, I'm flying up the front" emotion that I failed to confirm before heading off to the lounge. It cost me VFF Platinum !!


Oh, and the 777-300 ER is perfectly fine. It's a flat bed with all the Etihad J trimmings.
In fact, I'm also kicking myself that after a late substitution from the 787, I didn't notice that it was one of their rare 777's with 1st class. (Apparently, you can tell from the J seat layout).
We could have upgraded to F for a few thousand Etihad points. The two pax who walked up to F on our flight looked like AFFers. Smart guys!
The other 6 seats remained empty for the entire flight. Sad face emoji

 

[WGBoy]

I have just done all of this, a month ago. Not without problems.....

I suggest that you call Etihad ASAP and ask them to add your VFF number. Also ask them to remove your Etihad number. Then confirm online in the "manage my booking" section. Then, AT CHECK-IN, confirm that your VFF number is on the boarding pass BEFORE you walk away. This last step was the key point, which I missed.
I was so wrapped up in the J check-in, "look at me, I'm flying up the front" emotion that I failed to confirm before heading off to the lounge. It cost me VFF Platinum !!



Oh, and the 777-300 ER is perfectly fine. It's a flat bed with all the Etihad J trimmings.
In fact, I'm also kicking myself that after a late substitution from the 787, I didn't notice that it was one of their rare 777's with 1st class. (Apparently, you can tell from the J seat layout).
We could have upgraded to F for a few thousand Etihad points. The two pax who walked up to F on our flight looked like AFFers. Smart guys!
The other 6 seats remained empty for the entire flight. Sad face emoji

Thanks a lot @Duffa. Called Etihad customer service and updated with my VFF number. I can see the VFF number in the new e-ticket I printed.

 

[Duffa]

Thanks a lot @Duffa. Called Etihad customer service and updated with my VFF number. I can see the VFF number in the new e-ticket I printed.

Excellent. Promise me, you will check your "hard-printed" boarding pass, which they issue at the Etihad check-in desk, before you head to the lounge!!!!

 

[WGBoy]

Excellent. Promise me, you will check your "hard-printed" boarding pass, which they issue at the Etihad check-in desk, before you head to the lounge!!!!

I promise, I will

 

[Blinky]

Thanks a lot @Duffa. Called Etihad customer service and updated with my VFF number. I can see the VFF number in the new e-ticket I printed.

I had my Velocity number on my booking, but not my wife’s. My travel agent had it altered okay.