Etihad First Suite booking via Virgin

[mark4217]

Hi all, I recall reading a post somewhere where it noted that we could book First Suites on points.
On the VA site it only offers J.... Am I correct in thinking that if I can see the First Suites (Guest First) on the EY site then I can
call VA and book it on points... ie, BNE-AUH-BNE.... I am sure I tried this some months ago, and the VA rep said we only have access to J
rewards... Can someone set me straight here.... many thanks

 

[stoneman]

subscribed

 

[JessicaTam]

I think recent discussion was about using AA miles.

 

[mark4217]

So getting back to the question, does anyone know if First suites can be booked using Velocity points via VA??. VA don't have them as an option when redeeming points tickets, just J seats.

 

[rtyuiop]

You can indeed book First - and it's a bit of a bargain IMHO. Need to call the contact centre, can't do it online.

When I made a booking I had some issues with availability - several agents couldn't see it seats available that were showing as available on Etihad Guest, and we thought EY might have not been making them available to VA, but turns out they could... So persistence may be needed, and if you don't get anywhere try getting in contact with the VFF team here on the forums, they may be able to help.

 

[mark4217]

Thats great news rtyuiop, just what I was hoping to hear... and yes, I also think they are good value...cheers

 

[vantage03]

I have booked EY F through Velocity SYD-AUH-SYD before.

I can't remember how many points it was but I remember it seemed really cheap (cheaper than QF/EK F to DXB), and taxes were less than $100 each way.

 

[vantage03]

Also, my experience was that availability was excellent, this was around the time of the F1 last year.

 

[Mark3000]

Any advice on how many seats? Do they release only one or is two possible?

 

[rtyuiop]

I haven't tried booking two through VA, but there certainly seemed to be sets of two available on the flights I was looking at through etihad guest.

 

[knasty]

Did this last week. 2x F syd-cdg. Looked on Etihad guest for availability then on to Vff call centre. Current 15% redemption discount wad applied too!

 

[mark4217]

Hmmmmm, that's a great result. Lets say I book BNE-CDG-BNE First Suite now with the 15% discount for April 2016... and then call up in say January and change the dates to June... Do I get to keep the discount and just pay the $60 x 2 ?? for date change or will VA refund the tickets and tell me to go book myself at the rate of the day..

 

[Jobeki111]

Did this last week. 2x F syd-cdg. Looked on Etihad guest for availability then on to Vff call centre. Current 15% redemption discount wad applied too!

Could I ask how you did this... have called VA twice and been told that there is no discount on etihad metal the first time and that it doesn't apply to first only business on the latter . I am tempted to just keep trying in the hope that I eventually get someone who will put it through for me... can you confirm how many points it cost for the sydney - abu dhabi leg per person please?

 

[knasty]

I found the availability for a friend who is travelling...I didn't make the call myself. But I have his confirmation and it's definitely 2x first apartments to Auh, regional first to cdg. When he phoned me to tell me it was done he said they told him it was 15% discount without him asking.

 

[Jobeki111]

Seems like I lucked out then. They tried to tell me it was a 15% discount but the price quoted (141000 points to AUH) is the normal redemption price

 

[knasty]

Still not bad given the minuscule taxes and one of the best first products in the sky. Try one or two more times.

 

[Jobeki111]

I agree but unfortunately I am currently sitting on 240000 ....enough for a redemption for myself and my partner with the discount but not without... Have been watching the Syd-Auh a380 F's steadily disappearing in February next year when I am planning a special trip for the 2 of us. Silly me only signed up for aadvantage on 9th this month so not sure if there will be any lots of 2 seats (on the 380) left at this rate :s

 

[mmikeemike]

I got quoted 187500 for F Syd -> CDG but sadly the seats were unconfirmed

 

[Jobeki111]

Just an update. I talked to velocity today and they informed me that the 15% discount on partners is a system error and may be fixed shortly (the T&C's do say Virgin operated only :S). So if you want to book Etihad business at the 15% discount price (or economy for that matter) you better get in soon. Was told that there was no way they could honour the 15% discount in Etihad first

 

[mark4217]

Just an update. I talked to velocity today and they informed me that the 15% discount on partners is a system error and may be fixed shortly (the T&C's do say Virgin operated only :S). So if you want to book Etihad business at the 15% discount price (or economy for that matter) you better get in soon. Was told that there was no way they could honour the 15% discount in Etihad first

I got the same response today. That's fine, I booked 2pax in First BNE-AUH return for 564k points and $279.40 cash. Booking was 2nd Aug Return 30th. There was availability either side as well.