Etihad Guest Redemptions on Philippine Airlines

[mrdctau]

I've recently started racking-up Etihad Guest Miles via FlyBuys with my most likely redemption pathway being Philippine Airlines flights from Australia.

The redemption scale looks reasonable with MEL-MNL-MEL in Y for 62,222 and J for 124,444 and has the benefit of being a direct flight. This equates to 155,555 and 311,110 Flybuys points respectively and given that you can "cash-out" Flybuys at A$10 per 2,000 points (albeit in lots of A$10 transactions) the cost is therefore A$778 and A$1,556 respectively (plus taxes/surcharges).

My queries:

1. Has anyone had experience in redeeming Etihad Guest Miles for Philippine Airlines flights?
2. I understand it can only be done over the phone, but are there any additional charges for phone bookings like Qantas have?
3. What are taxes/surcharges like on flights between Australia and the Philippines?
4. What's availability like - particularly in J?
5. Is there anyway of checking award seat availability for Philippine Airlines online?

 

[Mattg]

I haven't done this particular redemption, but to the best of my knowledge:

2. Yes, you have to book over the phone and at least two weeks in advance. There are no additional charges for this.
3. There are low or no fuel surcharges. In fact, fuel surcharges are banned on flights originating from the Philippines.
4. Availability is reasonably good. There won't be a seat everyday but I just had a look on Expert Flyer and there were multiple seats on most of the flights I checked (for travel next April).
5. Business class award availability (only - not economy) can be found on Expert Flyer. Otherwise, the only way is to call up.

 

[EtihadAirways]

Etihad Airways

Dear mrdctau,


Thanks for coming to this page, apologies for the delay in reply.

To help answer the above questions, we would suggest speaking with our team, they will be happy to help and advise accordingly. Please use this link to help, Our offices we do hope to hear from you soon. *GW

I've recently started racking-up Etihad Guest Miles via FlyBuys with my most likely redemption pathway being Philippine Airlines flights from Australia.

The redemption scale looks reasonable with MEL-MNL-MEL in Y for 62,222 and J for 124,444 and has the benefit of being a direct flight. This equates to 155,555 and 311,110 Flybuys points respectively and given that you can "cash-out" Flybuys at A$10 per 2,000 points (albeit in lots of A$10 transactions) the cost is therefore A$778 and A$1,556 respectively (plus taxes/surcharges).

My queries:

1. Has anyone had experience in redeeming Etihad Guest Miles for Philippine Airlines flights?
2. I understand it can only be done over the phone, but are there any additional charges for phone bookings like Qantas have?
3. What are taxes/surcharges like on flights between Australia and the Philippines?
4. What's availability like - particularly in J?
5. Is there anyway of checking award seat availability for Philippine Airlines online?