Use VA points for Etihad A380 apartment or SQ A380 suite.

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Partially agree with you. I already have enough QF points. I find transferring to VA & SQ points to be the same if you are doing so via a program like Amex or Citi as they both have the same transfer rate. So I'm leaving my points warehoused on my cards for now for flexibility so I can transfer to either VA or SQ depending on my travel plans.

Also partially agree on the hard product of EK in comparison to EY/SQ. However their soft product i.e. food is much better, and I have yet to read about EK running out of food in F unlike Etihad. For me it is the best of both worlds. I can use EY/SQ on the way out and can fly EK directly back home as opposed to going via SYD/MEL which for me is preferable on my return leg. Always best not to have all your points in the 1 program *IMO*.

Agree too. If you have a credit card that can convert to both KF and VA points, there is no point convert VA to KF. But for some people who doesn't have a KF point earning card, or for many of us that are using CC paying ATO, the earn rate on VA is much better now with CC that still award points, we may still have to convert VA to KF at some stage.

I am also thinking of transferring to VA from QF. My biggest issue with QF is it's lack of award availability and heavy fuel surcharges. Regardless of how good the soft product is with Emirates, if you can't redeem flights on a date that suits you, it is pretty useless. However, I still have my Qantas club membership for another 3 years, and the VA's equivalent membership doesn't allow you to have any lounge access on international flights except transtasman flights, this makes it a lot harder to change to VA if you are not an elite with VFF.

Where does it say that they purchased the points from VA?

And you can purchase enough points via another program to fly Etihad Apartments. The cost 1 way from SYD-LHR was all up including taxes around $3k.

Because he said "172437 points and $380 per person LHR-MEL in F". Normally it should be 187k plus tax <$100. So it looked like he paid a bit more in cash to make up the insufficiency in points.

I know about purchasing AA points to fly EY. Although $3k one way is still a lot of money, and you can't claim tax refund even if it's business related trip.
 
172437 points and $380 per person LHR-MEL in F is great, now hurry up and get the A380 to MEL, since SQ don't fly the A380 to MEL I have to look at other options :)

Plus it's much easier to earn VA points than SQ points

I am moving my travel back to VA now simply as I can use the points on a great EY product with SQ as a backup

Trying to redeem QF FF points on QF/EK is too hard and their product is no longer up to the standards of EY/SQ

Welcome back to VA! :p
 
172437 points and $380 per person LHR-MEL in F is great, now hurry up and get the A380 to MEL, since SQ don't fly the A380 to MEL I have to look at other options :)

Definitely agree we need A380 to MEL. When I flew them recently they re-iterated their original announcement from last year that the 380 would head to MEL in 2016 as more arrive. I have noticed that SQ are returning the A380 to MEL for a period in SEP/OCT. May end up being a seasonal thing.
 
Agree too. If you have a credit card that can convert to both KF and VA points, there is no point convert VA to KF. But for some people who doesn't have a KF point earning card, or for many of us that are using CC paying ATO, the earn rate on VA is much better now with CC that still award points, we may still have to convert VA to KF at some stage.

I am also thinking of transferring to VA from QF. My biggest issue with QF is it's lack of award availability and heavy fuel surcharges. Regardless of how good the soft product is with Emirates, if you can't redeem flights on a date that suits you, it is pretty useless. However, I still have my Qantas club membership for another 3 years, and the VA's equivalent membership doesn't allow you to have any lounge access on international flights except transtasman flights, this makes it a lot harder to change to VA if you are not an elite with VFF.



Because he said "172437 points and $380 per person LHR-MEL in F". Normally it should be 187k plus tax <$100. So it looked like he paid a bit more in cash to make up the insufficiency in points.

I know about purchasing AA points to fly EY. Although $3k one way is still a lot of money, and you can't claim tax refund even if it's business related trip.

Ok apologies for the thread resurrection but I'm sitting here with a big grin on my face
I've just booked GVA-AUH-MEL F with Etihad. I know it's not the premium apartment but for me its great value 187500 velocity points ( actually 15% less with the recent promotion159375 velocity = 118055Kris almost the same as a suite saver from europe) but get this AU$ 52.50.....in tax:shock:
My great many thanks must go to VAGnewbie (hence the above quote so they get the thank you)who kept going on about what good value velocity points were compared to SQ, so I decided to keep a few. So next euro ski season I have a lux trip back from the French alps, one stop to MEL:cool:.
Have I ever said how much I love this website!!

Cheers Danger UXB (still an SQ fan but looking forward to trying another F product)
 
Congrats Danger that is awesome! I too managed to book Etihad F for a special trip next year. I could not manage to get them to do the 15% discount in F though despite a lot of pestering! Enjoy the Alps!!
 
Congrats Danger that is awesome! I too managed to book Etihad F for a special trip next year. I could not manage to get them to do the 15% discount in F though despite a lot of pestering! Enjoy the Alps!!

Congrats Danger, well done!

I don't think he had 15% discount on the redemption itself, but had 15% bonus while transferring bank reward points to VA.

Yes, that's another added bonus I failed to mention, that VA does this 10-15% transfer bonus twice a year.

I recently flew on SQ suite, it was really awesome. I would certainly love to fly it again. But judging by the look, It is probably about the same as EY's F suites on their main fleet, and maybe not as good as the apartment. (Some can even argue EY's suite might be better as it comes with a mini bar and the seat can recline as much as you like until it goes flat, vs SQ's recline to 125 deg then need to flip over to make a flat bed.) Apart from A380, SQ's standard F looks a bit inferior to EY. (I said "looks". I haven't experienced it myself yet so happy to be corrected)

Also EY service F to BNE and PER as well vs SQ only service to SYD/MEL. So for us "secondary" citizens living in rural towns of BNE and PER, we don't need to transit in SYD to get F service. Another added bonus of VA.

The service with SQ might be better but if you are my type who would like to have a bit of peace and quiet, then service probably doesn't matter that much. After all, how bad can EY F service be?

Did I mention the free chauffeur service you get with EY on both ends?

Note: My EY trip is coming in Oct, I haven't experienced it first hand yet so my opinion may change. But simply by reading the reviews and watching trip reports on YouTube, EY doesn't look too bad at all. If anyone had first hand experience on both, please share!
 
I thought I would get my booking in before the July deadline when the new etihad rules come into play. Who knows what Virgin will do more points ?? And what about that per sector fee???
 
Only flown EY in J to Europe return once back in 2013 with SQ in F & J many times. Could not fault the EY J service though if have to split hairs, SQ service is better. EY hard product though on the four planes flown more consistent than SQ. Have to admit the SQ availability has made me lazy in recent times. Enjoy EY.
 
Hi All, OT but has anyone had experience with either an upgrade bid or an instant purchase upgrade at the airport when travelling EY to AUH but on the VA code?

My inner eye says this won't be a happening thing but worth checking?
 
I've been looking for the last few weeks, but EY seem to have withdrawn availability of First Guest Seats on the A380 service between SYD and AUH. I'm looking at dates in May and June 2016, and while I can spot a few First reward seats on EY451 (77W) which then connects to a AUH-LHR A380, there's nothing showing for EY455. Anyone have any idea of this is on purpose or whether the availability on the A380 First Apartments opens later?

I want to book using VA points. Should I book onto EY451 and then change if the A380 seat becomes available? Does anyone know what the change fee is for VA reward redemptions?
 
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Would choose Singapore every time: service on Etihad is so so (albeit only tried in Business and economy) whilst Singapore is always consistently above very good no matter what class. Further just because you are flying first doesn't mean that you get any priority or extra consideration in the chaotic airport at Abu Dhabi (a couple of very vocal First Class Americans were nearly ejected last time we were there!).
 
I think its 4500 points or $60 change fee.

Im pretty sure it's 7500 or $60. I just got back from flying EY First BNE-AUH-LHR and absolutely loved it. So much better than EK. Cabin/Seat, food, service, PJ's, inflight chef - all 10/10 in my opinion. I actually preferred First on the 787 Dreamliner over the huge First Apartment on the A380. When trying to sleep on the converted A380 bed, it vibrates every time someone walks up and down the aisles which was quite annoying and thus I couldn't sleep. But in saying that I find it hard to sleep on flights period. Also note that the First seat on the A380 doesn't covert all the way (only reclines) given the seat opposite coverts to the bed. It's a bit OTT but worth the experience. I'm sure others may disagree with my preference of the 787 first class over the A380.
 
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I would suggest you take the F on the 77W as EY have take the 380 & 789 off the table for the time being. What they seem to be doing is opening them up 2 weeks out.. I saw 4th Aug open for 2 F on the 380... I normally book J and when the F turns up cancel the J & grab the F. Cancellation fee is 7500 points or $60 per pax. I am on the 789 F this Sunday out of BNE so really looking forward to trying it out.
I've been looking for the last few weeks, but EY seem to have withdrawn availability of First Guest Seats on the A380 service between SYD and AUH. I'm looking at dates in May and June 2016, and while I can spot a few First reward seats on EY451 (77W) which then connects to a AUH-LHR A380, there's nothing showing for EY455. Anyone have any idea of this is on purpose or whether the availability on the A380 First Apartments opens later?

I want to book using VA points. Should I book onto EY451 and then change if the A380 seat becomes available? Does anyone know what the change fee is for VA reward redemptions?
 
And to clarify on using Velocity points to book SQ Suites... so I have to first transfer Velocity points to KrisFlyer to book Suites?

Or, is it possible to ring up Velocity and get them to book SQ Suites, as has been reported above for EY Apartments?
 
And to clarify on using Velocity points to book SQ Suites... so I have to first transfer Velocity points to KrisFlyer to book Suites?

Or, is it possible to ring up Velocity and get them to book SQ Suites, as has been reported above for EY Apartments?

You'll need to transfer them over to KrisFlyer. There's a handy converter on the VA website and it happens instantly.
 
To check Etihad availability, you need to go to Etihad's website and select "booking with miles". Do your search and whatever "Guest Seat" you can see (in this case, look for "Guest First" on A380) is available to velocity customer. Once you see availability then call Velocity to get it booked. Occasionally (it happened to me once) you will get some bad agent that has no idea and will tell you s/he can't see the award space. Don't waste time telling him/her that you can see in Etihad guest as s/he will give you a lecture how they have different inventory which is all bulls**t. Just HUACA and you will be fine.

Note, only guest seat, not open seat.

Is this still correct ?

I am getting told by multiple agents that VA only gets 1 F seat on EY when booking using VA points :(
 
Is this still correct ?

I am getting told by multiple agents that VA only gets 1 F seat on EY when booking using VA points :(

I don't know if things have changed. It shouldn't as AA has no problem booking. Unless there is only 1 F seat for that flights.
 
I don't know if things have changed. It shouldn't as AA has no problem booking. Unless there is only 1 F seat for that flights.

Thanks, showing as 2 on the EY website, but the VA call centre is insisting time and time again, that they can only book 1 as when they put the request in, EY reject it for 2 VA FF seats :(
 
Thanks, showing as 2 on the EY website, but the VA call centre is insisting time and time again, that they can only book 1 as when they put the request in, EY reject it for 2 VA FF seats :(

That's no good Can they book one at a time?
 
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