Etihad guest competition - 100 pax to Abu Dhabi, expenses paid

[MooTime]

I agree, but try ringing VA and change your connection. It'll take you 5mins. Answered by a local.
Unlike that other carrier.

Yes, that is what I understood. However, will we be given time to have the test at the airport on arrival? While some here on this forum are aware of the Al Hosn app and the requirements, will other winners be aware of the requirements for restaurants etc? You could argue ‘caveat emptor’ but as this is a marketing campaign for Etihad/the UAE, it would be disappointing if people were not able to go to a cafe or a restaurant simply because they didn’t know about the .

I’m a little surprised at the lack of detail this close to departure. My Plus 1 and I would like to maximise our time in Abu Dhabi but it’s impossible to plan anything without knowing what the Etihad schedule will be. We would both like our respective families to have the contact details of the hotel we are staying at before we leave.

The transfers from Melbourne seem a bit tight too.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I wouldn't stress, MEL international is less than empty.

 

[justinm]

Assume you’ve now recieved your details and info on apps, vaccine etc
Not sure on hotel yet but many are good.
See attached arrival details to fill out optional activities
- visit Qasr Al Watan on evening of 3rd
- City tour on 4th
- Desert visit and dinner 6th.
- 4wd over dunes

 

[Bazzi]

Just received activities notice, great that they are arranging the PCR test on arrival for the Al Hosn app.

 

[Bazzi]

I agree, but try ringing VA and change your connection. It'll take you 5mins. Answered by a local.
Unlike that other carrier.

I’m not coming from Melbourne but thought it was tight for those who are. I believe the luggage is interlined but there is still the transfer between terminals and check in. I hope that if there are any ‘Etihad festivities’ at the airport pre departure that everyone has time to enjoy them.

 

[Clover77]

Received further information about the day of departure. After breakfast, we depart The Conrad Hilton at 7.00 a.m. to the airport. However, the flight tickets show that we fly out after 10.00 p.m. Are we required to hang in an airport for the whole day? I noticed Ferrari World is closed both Monday & Tuesday so would like to fill the last empty departure day with a quick visit. Am I reading the times correctly?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Well Ferrari World is on Yas Island close to the airport, so if you can check in and leave your bags, then get a cab from the airport and back, it might not be the worst way to do it.

 

[justinm]

I suspect there may be other flights, ie Melb flight is 10am. Likely they will have a few buses to match flights

 

[Tealbirds]

Bon Voyage to all the lucky winners. Please let those left behind, on this thread, know how it all goes. Enjoy your Big Celebration flight and Abu Dhabi

 

[Notyourbag]

Any updates from any of the winners on the flight over?

 

[ozstamps]

Received further information about the day of departure. After breakfast, we depart The Conrad Hilton at 7.00 a.m. to the airport. However, the flight tickets show that we fly out after 10.00 p.m. Are we required to hang in an airport for the whole day? I noticed Ferrari World is closed both Monday & Tuesday so would like to fill the last empty departure day with a quick visit. Am I reading the times correctly?

The day trip to the world's largest mosque etc is well worth doing and does not seem to be on the official sked.

Enjoy it all --- just the thought of sitting 15 hours each way in coach did my head in, free or not.

My emails to them about paying to upgrade and donating any monies to Ukraine appeals etc were never answered in any way.

 

[Notyourbag]

Sounds like everyone was sworn to secrecy! Can't believe we didn't get any trip reports / feedback on how the prize winners went!

 

[jase05]

Sounds like everyone was sworn to secrecy! Can't believe we didn't get any trip reports / feedback on how the prize winners went!

Probably still at the Chiro after spending half a day in cattle class

 

[Mattg]

Sounds like everyone was sworn to secrecy! Can't believe we didn't get any trip reports / feedback on how the prize winners went!

You would think Etihad would want people sharing their experiences with the airline and in Abu Dhabi on social media! Isn't publicity the whole point of this promotion?

(Unless the trip was a total disaster, of course...)

 

[justinm]

You asked for a trip report so here goes.

Brilliant fun and well organised all round, thanks Etihad Guest.
Mix of high flying Etihad guest and occasional travellers.

Wine and nibbles in lounge before take off. Photos and celebrations as we boarded.

(Pleasantly surprised on economy comfort, though I had a spare seat to lay in).

Arrival seemless. Pcr test on arrival, (not mandatory but needed for access to tourist sites) then boarded buses straight to hotel at 5am. No waiting, fast and efficient.

Conrad Hilton (highly recommended for location, pool, beach, modern rooms etc.). We were given breakfast on arrival and early checkin for all to upgraded rooms.

My Diamond Hilton status was also recognised for lounge happy hour access at the Conrad.

Tour of Qasr Al wantan in arvo then free time.

Next day city tour, focusing on Grand Mosque.

Free day (I walked the mangroves and the Lourve)

Highlight was desert safari with 4x4 dune driving, 4x4 buggy in dunes, falcon show, dancing etc and a gala dinner.
Etihad Guest staff were brilliant.

Only their pre departure contact info let them down for some, fine for me.

Quite a social tour, lots of fun had and plenty of time to explore your own or relax.

 

[justinm]

 

[Mattg]

Great to hear you had a good time, @justinm

 

[ozstamps]

Great report ..... if I knew the Hotel was a Conrad Hilton, might have thought twice about it!

Last 3 or 4 years as a HH Diamond have not stayed at a Hilton due to COVID. The wonders of endless extensions.

 

[Bazzi]

I second all of what Justinm said. Champagne with dinner on the way over was unexpected and the crew very happy to top up.

Enjoyed all of the experiences organised by Etihad although I thought they missed an opportunity to showcase Emirati cuisine at the Desert safari - I was not expecting Penne Arrabiata or Cajun potatoes.

Hotel was fantastic, rooms very spacious, views amazing, breakfast buffet superb for the variety of cuisine - the section of local cheeses was amazing. I’m looking forward to staying again in August. We met some lovely people and enjoyed everyone’s company.

We also visited The Louvre - as did many - and most were surprised that it was a gallery of artefacts rather than art. Amazing nonetheless.

Etihad arranged our pre departure PCR test to be done at a ballroom in the hotel which was convenient.

I don’t do social media but there were a few influencers on the trip - a model from some reality tv show - I only know cause one of our dinner companions recognised her. My travelling +1 did look at her Instagram to see how many pics she had posted about Abu Dhabi - not many - so I hope Etihad got their money’s worth.

Our flight back was a little longer than expected as after pushback they had a malfunction with the computer and had to return to the gate to reboot but they kept us informed and did manage to make up a fair bit of time.

I emailed Etihad and Conrad on return to thank them for looking after us so well - nothing from Etihad but Conrad did reply.

Some pics below - the Presidential Palace Qasr Al-Watan, champagne o’clock with a view, the prayer clock at the Grand Mosque which detailed the time of the prayer and the particular prayer, woke up one morning and we were floating above the clouds, NOT us on the camel, Qasr Al-Watan