How to redeem Etihad Guest miles for Virgin Australia flights

[Www]

Quick question, can you book a HBA-SYD biz class flight via MEL (2 sectors) for 13800pts, or can it only be a direct HBA-SYD flight.

I have booked itineraries with Etihad guest miles with 2 sectors previously. One example was BNE-HBA via MEL for 6900 Etihad guest miles (economy).

 

[Coops1]

I have booked itineraries with Etihad guest miles with 2 sectors previously. One example was BNE-HBA via MEL for 6900 Etihad guest miles (economy).

Cheers. “Why fly direct when you can connect” . Even with no status, will get a bit of extra flight time, mileage and lounge.

 

[Www]

Cheers. “Why fly direct when you can connect” . Even with no status, will get a bit of extra flight time, mileage and lounge.

Too true, my choices were as a result of availability, but with lounge and business class, why not. Enjoy!

 

[Mattg]

I have booked itineraries with Etihad guest miles with 2 sectors previously. One example was BNE-HBA via MEL for 6900 Etihad guest miles (economy).

That is interesting; previously I have been told by Etihad that this would be priced as the sum of two sectors. But if you can make it work, go for it!

 

[Www]

That is interesting; previously I have been told by Etihad that this would be priced as the sum of two sectors. But if you can make it work, go for it!

I tried twice and was successful twice. Was surprised the first time, assumed it was normal after the second time. Possibly I got lucky?
To be clear, I am talking about a quick hour or so stop at an airport and on a route that offers direct and is on the Etihad guest chart for VA. Shows up on VA’s website as available as a 2 sector flight.

 

[Coops1]

Bit more info for those booking Virgin flights via Etihad Guest.
- booking process via phone is approx 15mins, including checking details are correct via email.
- taxes etc, for me at least HBA-SYD return was $39.66 in AUD, so less than the $46 via velocity.
- I immediately updated the booking via virgin website to add my frequent flyer, ensuring better seat selection, no issues at all.
- if travelling with a partner, the booking for me (on the same account points) was done separately, so 30 mins on phone. Not sure another operator could have done it at the same time or not.
- I didn’t do multi sector, so can’t confirm if you can do this on the same nbr of points.

Hope this helps a bit, cheers.

 

[Mattg]

Bit more info for those booking Virgin flights via Etihad Guest.
- booking process via phone is approx 15mins, including checking details are correct via email.
- taxes etc, for me at least HBA-SYD return was $39.66 in AUD, so less than the $46 via velocity.
- I immediately updated the booking via virgin website to add my frequent flyer, ensuring better seat selection, no issues at all.
- if travelling with a partner, the booking for me (on the same account points) was done separately, so 30 mins on phone. Not sure another operator could have done it at the same time or not.
- I didn’t do multi sector, so can’t confirm if you can do this on the same nbr of points.

Hope this helps a bit, cheers.

Interesting on the taxes - this confirms to me that Etihad is not passing on Velocity's carrier charges.

 

[HTG2016]

I can confirm that i recently can book 2 sector VA SYD-MEL-HBA in J for 13,800 Etihad points + tax . Thank for all the data point in this thread . Rules said you can't .

 

[nightelves]

Another interesting finding. Was able to book Mel-Zqn for 6900 each way even though it's should be 10,900 miles and taxes come to $360 for two people.

 

[Coops1]

Another interesting finding. Was able to book Mel-Zqn for 6900 each way even though it's should be 10,900 miles and taxes come to $360 for two people.

Yep, talked about earlier in thread. Business class for 13800 each way as well.

It’s due to the mile calculation, similar to HBA-MEL or SYD or BNE all being the same points eg 6900 or 13800 (biz)

 

[awkwardpaws]

Another interesting finding. Was able to book Mel-Zqn for 6900 each way even though it's should be 10,900 miles and taxes come to $360 for two people.

yup this is the pricing you'll be charged - 6900 one way to ZQN. good price!

 

[nightelves]

Yeah but the fact is Mel-Zqn is 1336 miles would have thought it'll fall into this banding. Distance is 1,251 - 1,750 miles: 10,900 EY miles (in economy)

 

[Coops1]

Yeah but the fact is Mel-Zqn is 1336 miles would have thought it'll fall into this banding. Distance is 1,251 - 1,750 miles: 10,900 EY miles (in economy)

Your right, double perk. VA flights MEL-ZQN only started in October last year as well. Wonder if you were just lucky or it’s always bookable.

 

[Mattg]

Your right, double perk. VA flights MEL-ZQN only started in October last year as well. Wonder if you were just lucky or it’s always bookable.

To be honest, I'm surprised you'd even be able to book MEL-ZQN because it's not a route on their award chart.

 

[nightelves]

To be honest, I'm surprised you'd even be able to book MEL-ZQN because it's not a route on their award chart.

Yeah it’s not hence the consultant had to check with their work colleagues.

 

[Mattg]

Yeah it’s not hence the consultant had to check with their work colleagues.

I wonder if this means you can also book other routes which are not listed on the redemption table?

Lots of new routes (i.e. launched in the last ~5 years) are not listed, e.g. MEL-LAX, MEL-HKG, SYD-HKG, NTL-AKL, HBA-PER, PHE-DPS...) and I had been under the impression you couldn't book these using Etihad miles.

 

[nightelves]

I wonder if this means you can also book other routes which are not listed on the redemption table?

Lots of new routes (i.e. launched in the last ~5 years) are not listed, e.g. MEL-LAX, MEL-HKG, SYD-HKG, NTL-AKL, HBA-PER, PHE-DPS...) and I had been under the impression you couldn't book these using Etihad miles.

For me the agent checked to see if there were seats available on Velocity’s inventory and then proceed to book it. I think she also assumed Mel-Zqn was the same distance as Syd-Zqn hence why it was quoted as 6,900 points.

 

[nightelves]

You can always call up and quote the route and mentioned that it’s available for booking via Velocity.

 

[revolver161]

Trying to make a one-way booking between Sydney and Denpasar (Bali), the Virgin website was showing guest seat availability in J.
However when I called Etihad to confirm availability they said no seats were available.
I thought this was strange as all 8 x J (737-800) remain unsold.

I checked the Delta website and it is showing 2 x seats available.

Should I call Etihad again and reiterate what is appearing on Virgin/Delta website? From past experience with Etihad call centers it can be very hit and miss.

Thanks

 

[awkwardpaws]

Trying to make a one-way booking between Sydney and Denpasar (Bali), the Virgin website was showing guest seat availability in J.
However when I called Etihad to confirm availability they said no seats were available.
I thought this was strange as all 8 x J (737-800) remain unsold.

I checked the Delta website and it is showing 2 x seats available.

Should I call Etihad again and reiterate what is appearing on Virgin/Delta website? From past experience with Etihad call centers it can be very hit and miss.

Thanks

yep, I would huaca. some agents are more competent than others