Where are the business reward tickets?

[nathanxu]

Hi guys,

I am looking at booking 2 business class tickets from Melbourne to Paris on Velocity for later part of next year. Of course, the flights are operated by Eithad Airways. I have checked the availability last month and it appears there are tickets available everyday and it is about 256000 points for a return ticket which is reasonable. However, I just noticed today that there is no business class reward tickets left on any of the day, if I am lucky, I might be lucky to get First class rewards ticket, does anyone knows the reason for that? Is there's anyway to get a business rewards ticket on this rate?

 

[777]

I think there's a bug. I couldn't find any availability today either but have seen this problem before. Give it a day or two then call them if they aren't appearing.

 

[pauly7]

Hi guys,

I am looking at booking 2 business class tickets from Melbourne to Paris on Velocity for later part of next year. Of course, the flights are operated by Eithad Airways. I have checked the availability last month and it appears there are tickets available everyday and it is about 256000 points for a return ticket which is reasonable. However, I just noticed today that there is no business class reward tickets left on any of the day, if I am lucky, I might be lucky to get First class rewards ticket, does anyone knows the reason for that? Is there's anyway to get a business rewards ticket on this rate?

I don't think it's a bug - I've always had great difficulty finding any J seats long haul that aren't outrageous ASA's. Funnily enough I can find F awards usually ok...

I rang Velocity and got told bluntly that it was what it was and that was that. Mind you I was Red at the time so I probably just got their normal cranky call centre staff!

Hopefully my status match comes through and I can get some decent phone assistance! But if you ring and have better luck let us know!

 

[777]

I don't think it's a bug - I've always had great difficulty finding any J seats long haul that aren't outrageous ASA's. Funnily enough I can find F awards usually ok...

I rang Velocity and got told bluntly that it was what it was and that was that. Mind you I was Red at the time so I probably just got their normal cranky call centre staff!

Hopefully my status match comes through and I can get some decent phone assistance! But if you ring and have better luck let us know!

They've changed the system recently and you can now browse Etihad reward inventory online. However it seems to drop in and out at different times. My money is still on a bug as i'd be shocked all the availability that was there recently has gone already - unless the all the CC points transfers means they're being scooped up REALLY fast.

 

[pauly7]

They've changed the system recently and you can now browse Etihad reward inventory online. However it seems to drop in and out at different times. My money is still on a bug as i'd be shocked all the availability that was there recently has gone already - unless the all the CC points transfers means they're being scooped up REALLY fast.

Hmmmm doubt it (that heaps of people are taking all the seats)...

Have you tried calling them? If you feel like walking into a brick wall go for it But I think you may be a higher status flyer than me on VA so you might be able to bypass their Philippine robots!!

 

[notzac]

If you're Gold or Platinum, you should get through to the premium desk - they've earned a reputation for being very helpful, so I'd imagine they'd be able to help you chase down some award tickets

I've also noticed the EY availability thing - sometimes there's stacks of availability, sometimes nothing at all. Not entirely sure what's happening; if I were to guess I'd say it's because online award availability for partner carriers is pretty much brand new, and the IT people are probably still finding and chasing the bugs out of the system.

 

[straitman]

If you're Gold or Platinum, you should get through to the premium desk - they've earned a reputation for being very helpful, so I'd imagine they'd be able to help you chase down some award tickets

I thought the premium desk is Platinum only.

 

[777]

And they're back. I wonder if this has anything to do with reported issues with the site this morning?