Hi everyone,
Just a quick question regarding award redemptions. I know you can use points + pay for Virgin Australia and V Australia redemptions, but does anyone know if you can do it for redemptions for Etihad flights?
Specifically, I'm interested in travelling MEL-LHR on Etihad in F. If points + pay is an option, what is the minimum number of points that must be redeemed for such a booking?
Thanks,
Fraserm
Hay Fraserm,
It is possible to use points plus pay, Velocity has a minimum requirement for points needed, which I'm not sure what is it but I assume its around 85-90% minimum points required, after i just did a reward flight search.
"There is a minimum level of Points required for each redemption seat, so there is a minimum Points threshold applied to your booking. This varies depending on the fare you choose and your destination. If you do not have the minimum number of Points, you will be informed when you select your flights," according to their T&C.
I did a quick search for you on a random date 6 months forward on a F class ticket, it is around
420,100 Points for return Mel-LHR OR
368,300 Points + $415 AUD for a points + plus.
If you were an Etihad Guest member instead of Velocity, its
348,526 points ONLY for first class ticket from Melb-LHR.
I assume its Etihad you are looking to fly F class, because VA doesn't have F class only business.
In which case, Etihad's redemptions are more generous then Velocity. I believe Etihad redemptions are calculated based on the miles you travel, unlike Velocity which is tier level based on each sector.
This is one way ticket calculations.
For Melbourne-Abu Dhabi on the Etihad F class, it is around 7,200 miles which an Etihad Guest member will need
117,369 points to redeem, and a Velocity member will need
141,000 points because you fall into the 7,001-8,500 tier level.
For Abu-Dhabi-LHR, Etihad F Class approx 3,400 miles, Etihad Guest require
55,225 points Versus Velocity's
71,700 points because it is in the 2,401-3,600 tier level.
