How to redeem Etihad Guest miles for Virgin Australia flights

[Spizz]

That seems very steep.....

With the current exchange rate it is cheaper to buy them via Amex at $25 AUD per 1000 points than via direct with Etihad. Then factor in a 25% bonus on Amex transfers when they occur and it makes more cents to purchase them with Amex. YMMV.

 

[ozjuice]

With the current exchange rate it is cheaper to buy them via Amex at $25 AUD per 1000 points than via direct with Etihad. Then factor in a 25% bonus on Amex transfers when they occur and it makes more cents to purchase them with Amex. YMMV.

Can you buy via Amex? How?

 

[Spizz]

Can you buy via Amex? How?

How to buy Membership Rewards or frequent flyer points from Amex

 

[alexy23]

What's the current approach of buying tickets to NZ with Etihad? I don't want to transfer points if it's not possible.

 

[Mattg]

What's the current approach of buying tickets to NZ with Etihad? I don't want to transfer points if it's not possible.

I think it's possible, but you have to HUACA until you're speaking with somebody in the Manchester call centre.

(There is a direct line to the Manchester call centre, but it doesn't actually seem to guarantee that you speak to somebody in Manchester. Last time I had to call I tried that number and was greeted with "welcome to Etihad Airways' Manchester call centre" but then was put through to somebody in Abu Dhabi that couldn't help me.)

 

[alexy23]

I think it's possible, but you have to HUACA until you're speaking with somebody in the Manchester call centre.

Great, so have you actually been ticketed using EY points for a flight to NZ?

 

[Mattg]

Great, so have you actually been ticketed using EY points for a flight to NZ?

Not yet, but I was able to get a quote from a Manchester agent who said they would be able to book it for me. By comparison, the agents I've spoken to in Abu Dhabi have told me that it wasn't possible (due to the flights being "codeshares") and were unable to even provide a quote.

I'd love to hear how you go, though.

 

[alexy23]

I'm assuming the answer to this question is no, but, can you book VA flights using EY points and pay for the 25% (i.e. points + pay)? On normal EY redemptions you can redeem if you have 75% of the points balance and you pay for the rest at ~1.3c per point.

On another note I rang EY 5 times and got through to some Asian country. Safe to assume Manchester checkin around 9am or so local time.

 

[Mattg]

I'm assuming the answer to this question is no, but, can you book VA flights using EY points and pay for the 25% (i.e. points + pay)? On normal EY redemptions you can redeem if you have 75% of the points balance and you pay for the rest at ~1.3c per point.

I believe the answer to that is no, but you could buy some additional miles from Etihad and put them towards the VA flight. I believe miles cost USD20 per thousand (2c per point) and you can buy them on the EY website.

On another note I rang EY 5 times and got through to some Asian country. Safe to assume Manchester checkin around 9am or so local time.

Re. Manchester, you might want to try calling again when it's not the middle of the night in the UK Calling in the evening (in Australia) should give you better chances. If you can find a time that's business hours in the UK and out of business hours in the UAE, even better.

 

[alexy23]

I've spoken to Etihad in Manchester - had a very professional customer service agent. He informed me that they simply cannot make redemptions for "Virgin Aust Intl for VA SE Asia" and that there is nothing he can do. He also mentioned that for Etihad to be able to make a redemption it must have a Z fare available (for J class) - which is simply not even showing for the VA SE Asia flights. I told him the redemption chart is misleading and they should take off international flights all together.

If anyone has been able to actually make a booking it would be good to hear from you - otherwise this one seems to good to be true.

Regardless EY bookings on VA metal still make exceptional value. Just booked return J class SYD-ADL for 2 pax saved over 38,800 points.

On another note I'm glad I havent transferred to EY yet - I now might look at redeeming SYD-CHC in F class with EK and paying for Y back home.

 

[alexy23]

Ok so I initiated HUACA - and spoke to someone with a professional Indian accent - he did the exact same search using the same inputs - and came back saying availability is fine for SYD-CHC at 21,800 points. This is insane the amount of mixed service I receive and definitely confirms my thoughts in this thread (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ihad-has-terrible-customer-service-82540.html)

Now to transfer the points and hope when I call back next time it works.

 

[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.

OK so a little of an update.

I just downloaded the Etihad mobile app, and after logging in noticed I had an itinerary listed, showing my desired but not yet booked flights. This was not expected as I had heard nothing back as was promised after my initial call. So i gave them a call, requesting these flights to be ticketed. I was told no this cannot be done as they don't have a price on the route, and Virgin hasn't responded to their email requests. But not to worry they will definitely call me back once this happens.
So naturally I'm making other arrangements...

 

[theblank]

I've spoken to Etihad in Manchester - had a very professional customer service agent. He informed me that they simply cannot make redemptions for "Virgin Aust Intl for VA SE Asia" and that there is nothing he can do.

That sucks, I have my eye on this arrangement to get to DPS.
If I understand the system correctly a one way J flight would be 33800 Etihad points v. 49500 VFF.. Thats a big difference over 2 return tickets

 

[daveozsydney]

That sucks, I have my eye on this arrangement to get to DPS.
If I understand the system correctly a one way J flight would be 33800 Etihad points v. 49500 VFF.. Thats a big difference over 2 return tickets

I got refused on first call - aussie number but around 9 pm. spent 29 mins on the call. Politely hung up.

Just called the UK number at 10 pm. managed to book to NZ on a "Operator: Virgin Australia International for Virgin South-East Asia" flight

No issues the second time. And call took only 13 mins.

 

[theblank]

Thanks Dave for confirming that. Just try and try again It pays to be patient when asking for things somewhat outside the box.
Was the tax and charges exactly the same as a Velocity redemption directly?

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Thanks Dave for confirming that. Just try and try again It pays to be patient when asking for things somewhat outside the box.
Was the tax and charges exactly the same as a Velocity redemption directly?

I can't speak for Dave but I usually find the co-pay with Etihad to be what Velocity would charge on the same route + about $1, because Etihad seems to do these manually and they enter the fare price as $1 before clicking the taxes in, which should be the same as when booked via Velocity.

Etihad also processes the credit card in Australia in AUD, so there's no currency conversion or international transaction fees to worry about either.

 

[alexy23]

Reporting in - flew SYD-CHC and ZQN-SYD last weekend. Worked well with no issues! As explained above HUACA is required here.

 

[scwappy]

Reporting in - flew SYD-CHC and ZQN-SYD last weekend. Worked well with no issues! As explained above HUACA is required here.

Great to know. Thanks for the update

 

[nickolas]

Reporting in - flew SYD-CHC and ZQN-SYD last weekend. Worked well with no issues! As explained above HUACA is required here.

Thanks alexy23.

Can confirm that late night (8 -9 EST) calls to Etihad Call Centre (got someone from Belgrade) will support the redemption of VA metal through Etihad!

HUACA may be required.

Nice savings vs VA Redemption directly (34k vs 68k!)

Pro Tip: if you have someone willing to do it but not the points transferred yet, tell them you want to put it on hold (they did it for me for 1 hour) so that you can get a booking number to use next time. Even if you can't transfer points in time, at least you have a reference for someone else proving the redemption (at the relevant EY <-> VA points table rate)

 

[andye]

Another success for ZQN-SYD in J (using my EY points for Mrs andye) to the UK call centre number at 2245 EST. Call did drop out three times (once as mobile ran out of charge) so took over an hour-worth noting the name of the agent in case it happens. They asked for passport details so be prepared. Taxes AUD67.20