How to redeem Etihad Guest miles for Virgin Australia flights

[DJ737]

Yep 24/7, never had a problem booking any EY award with the Manchester office.

 

[RAM]

Is the Manchester office 24/7? I think as well last time I spoke to a lady in that office they said they can transfer you over to the Manchester office.

I've got them a few times as I often call in the afternoon to late evening. Totally agree - Manchester staff know what they are doing and quick with it from my experience on 3 to 4 different matters.

Very helpful with a J Europe redemption.

 

[exceladdict]

I've got them a few times as I often call in the afternoon to late evening. Totally agree - Manchester staff know what they are doing and quick with it from my experience on 3 to 4 different matters.

Very helpful with a J Europe redemption.

Any chance anyone knows a direct line?

 

[RAM]

Any chance anyone knows a direct line?

Unfortunately no.

Just late afternoon/early evening Sydney time worked for me every time.

 

[Ultan Lankford]

Managed to book a mix of Y and J class seats. No issue, although the call did time about an hour overall, their process is quite slow.

 

[alexy23]

Had an issue booking these:

SYD-MKY is 23,500 J class with VA. It's quoted 13,800 with EY. However when I went to book it over the phone she told me that she would need to charge me 2x13,800 as it's two segments (SYD-BNE-MKY). I then said VA NEVER fly direct SYD-MKY it's always via BNE. She said she would check with Virgin on this one but she said the rule is (except for AA) that they always charge segments seperately. I could fly SYD-CNS for 13,800 so it seems right that SYD-MKY would be 13,800.

Has anyone had problems like this?

 

[Mattg]

Had an issue booking these:

SYD-MKY is 23,500 J class with VA. It's quoted 13,800 with EY. However when I went to book it over the phone she told me that she would need to charge me 2x13,800 as it's two segments (SYD-BNE-MKY). I then said VA NEVER fly direct SYD-MKY it's always via BNE. She said she would check with Virgin on this one but she said the rule is (except for AA) that they always charge segments seperately. I could fly SYD-CNS for 13,800 so it seems right that SYD-MKY would be 13,800.

Has anyone had problems like this?

The agent is correct in that Virgin flights are charged as individual segments. If there is no direct flight available then yes, you need to pay for 2 flights (at 13,800 points each).

 

[alexy23]

The agent is correct in that Virgin flights are charged as individual segments. If there is no direct flight available then yes, you need to pay for 2 flights (at 13,800 points each).

Why is it that I can book flights with virgin then at 23,500 (one segment)? If this is the case SYD-CNS seems like it's a better option.

 

[Mattg]

Why is it that I can book flights with virgin then at 23,500 (one segment)? If this is the case SYD-CNS seems like it's a better option.

With Velocity, the price is based on the total distance travelled. Etihad uses a point-to-point system which prices each individual flight separately. It's just one of the (annoying) quirks of Etihad Guest.

Yes, SYD-CNS would indeed be a better Etihad Guest redemption.

 

[Mattg]

Anyone know what the deal is with redeeming Etihad miles for Virgin flights showing as "operated by Virgin Australia Intl for VA SE Asia"?

I was just told by an Etihad agent that it's not possible at all to redeem on these flights as they are considered codeshare flights by Etihad's system. Is this right? Seems pretty bad if so, as all VA flights to New Zealand, Fiji etc. are listed as such.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Thanks for all the info. I'm now considering trying BNE-POM (for Kokoda) as the J redemption would represent pretty good value. It shows on their table as doable, yet the flights are also Virgin Australia Int. (at least they were last time I flew them). The conflicting reports are all very odd as I seem to recall one of the reasons for VA deciding upon Sabre was for seamless integration with EY. Mind you, VA also appear to have bought a bargain basement version of Sabre, so the problem may be with VA rather than EY.

 

[scwappy]

Anyone know what the deal is with redeeming Etihad miles for Virgin flights showing as "operated by Virgin Australia Intl for VA SE Asia"?

I was just told by an Etihad agent that it's not possible at all to redeem on these flights as they are considered codeshare flights by Etihad's system. Is this right? Seems pretty bad if so, as all VA flights to New Zealand, Fiji etc. are listed as such.

I have heard conflicting views on this. The best bet from what I have heard is to ring when then Manchester call centre is open, so probably around 9am UK time. I would be very interested in how you get on.

 

[alexy23]

I've been planning a trip to NZ - so I'd too be interested on this.

 

[Ultan Lankford]

So, just finished a SYD->MEL->PER->SYD redemption wiht the first two legs being in J class. The Syd-Mel J class is standard enough, but the J class to Perth was arguably the best airline experience I have ever had.

This is great value if you can get it.

On a side note, do these flights carry any earning power in terms of points or credit?

 

[alexy23]

How do you select seats in VA J class when booked through Etihad? Virgin Website doesn't let me, Etihad Website doesn't let me.

On another note just made an awesome redemption SYD-CNS (13,800 EY points in J per pax) ... VA wanted 35,500 VA points per pax.

 

[Mattg]

How do you select seats in VA J class when booked through Etihad? Virgin Website doesn't let me, Etihad Website doesn't let me.

On another note just made an awesome redemption SYD-CNS (13,800 EY points in J per pax) ... VA wanted 35,500 VA points per pax.

You can select seats by calling Virgin Australia.

 

[Oxy]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience dealing with Etihad regarding the outdated points table they user for VA?
I just got off the phone to Etihad Manchester this morning (after 0 minute wait) and was told that because my route isn't listed on the redemption chart they would have to get approval from head office, and calculate the points required etc. I am to expect a call back sometime ...not holding my breath

With all VA's changes lately, this could be an issue, especially if wanting to redeem MEL-HKG for example.

 

[Mattg]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience dealing with Etihad regarding the outdated points table they user for VA?
I just got off the phone to Etihad Manchester this morning (after 0 minute wait) and was told that because my route isn't listed on the redemption chart they would have to get approval from head office, and calculate the points required etc. I am to expect a call back sometime ...not holding my breath

With all VA's changes lately, this could be an issue, especially if wanting to redeem MEL-HKG for example.

I suspect that you will be unable to redeem points for any route not listed on the current award chart. EY's systems/processes don't really allow for agent discretion, so I'd say you will just need to wait for the chart to be updated. Let's hope this happens soon, and that EY don't take the opportunity to increase award rates at the same time.

I hope you do get a call back, but I wouldn't be holding my breath. I was promised a call back within 30 minutes for a recent issue I had with booking an award - 3 weeks later and I'm still waiting.

 

[bam71]

Seems you can now purchase EY miles directly, 100K per year, 60K per transaction!

https://storefront.points.com/etihad-guest/en-US/buy

 

[ozjuice]

Seems you can now purchase EY miles directly, 100K per year, 60K per transaction!

https://storefront.points.com/etihad-guest/en-US/buy

That seems very steep.....