VA/Etihad Premium economy to London - anyone flown this before?

[Danp]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but couldnt see anything about it posted already.


i booked in to fly to london on virgin australia next week with the auh to lhr leg operated by etihad and just wondering if anyone knows the following?

• chances of an upgrade to business with etihad on a PE ticket as VA gold?
• would etihad provide a customs fast track pass for me as VA gold as i have to catch an inter city train at 930 after landing at 720am

Any insights would be much appreciated, never flown with either airline long haul international before!

 

[Jack_OC]

[*]chances of an upgrade to business with etihad on a PE ticket as VA gold?

Since EY don't have PE, I assume your ticket is for Y on the EY leg?

Anyway, op-ups are fairly common on EY. I've had 2 as an EY Gold - one Y to J and one J to F. I'm not sure if VA Gold gets you as much likelihood of an upgrade as EY Gold though.

 

[erkpod]

I didn't get an express pass in Y on EY as a VFF WP. I only got one to get through SYD but I was in J on those sectors.

 

[notzac]

chances of an upgrade to business with etihad on a PE ticket as VA gold?

Slim. EY's systems don't recognise that you're anything beyond a VA member of some sort - you might get lucky if they need to move people forward, but I wouldn't be counting on it. Sometimes there are J seats available at the airport for a relatively small cost - it might be worth asking at the lounge at AUH whether there are any paid upgrades.

would etihad provide a customs fast track pass for me as VA gold as i have to catch an inter city train at 930 after landing at 720am

If you ask for one on board the flight to LHR - maybe - again, not something to count on.

 

[ishin]

You are brave...I'm flying F...arriving 0720 ..and taking an 1130 intercity train!!...remember it's LHR!...not sure an express pass would even help if you received one

 

[Danp]

Cool thanks for the extra info guys, spoke to the Virgin call centre people last night who did tell me about the EY request at the airport and so will give that a go to see if i can upgrade to business class there too now and will also ask for an express pass on board and at the lounge too!


Ishin, knowing you will be in F doesn't help! I've had an express pass at LHR before and it did seem to get me through fairly quickly, better to have it and not need it than the reverse!



Got my upgradeMeBid approved for the flight to AUH though so that is one positive at least

 

[ishin]

Wasn't big noting...just trying to ascertain if even if you get an express pass, is it realistic to get through customs etc at LHR and into the city for a train in two hours?...I'm panicking about giving myself only 4 hrs...anyone any experience here?

 

[Jack_OC]

Wasn't big noting...just trying to ascertain if even if you get an express pass, is it realistic to get through customs etc at LHR and into the city for a train in two hours?...I'm panicking about giving myself only 4 hrs...anyone any experience here?

I would say with an express pass it's not unrealistic to expect to be in Central London 2 hours after landing. Like all airports, I suspect it very much depends, but last month I landed at 9.30am on a Sunday, and I was at my hotel in Central London at 10.45 (after getting the Heathrow Express, then the tube, then a 10 minute walk).

As it happens, I had an express pass and an EU passport, but there was absolutely no queue in the non-express lanes, for either EU or non-EU passport holders. It's certainly not always like that, but I've arrived at LHR many times (I used to live in London), and I never found it all that bad. Queues for departures, on the other hand, can be an absolute nightmare.

 

[LACE]

Cool thanks for the extra info guys, spoke to the Virgin call centre people last night who did tell me about the EY request at the airport and so will give that a go to see if i can upgrade to business class there too now and will also ask for an express pass on board and at the lounge too!


Ishin, knowing you will be in F doesn't help! I've had an express pass at LHR before and it did seem to get me through fairly quickly, better to have it and not need it than the reverse!



Got my upgradeMeBid approved for the flight to AUH though so that is one positive at least

Just be prepared to wait if you request a paid upgrade on a VA ticket at the airport. I was told in AUH it wasn't possible on a VA ticket (after 30mins trying) but was able to do it at FRA after about 45mins and several staff helping. However that was about 12 months ago so hopefully they have made it easier by now.

 

[MartinMemo]

I have a similar one, looking at VA SYD-AUH then EY AUH-LHR. VA Gold & EY Gold. Should I be asking the VA check-in in SYD to try and opup my EY flight, or should I be asking the AUH lounge staff?

 

[Jack_OC]

I have a similar one, looking at VA SYD-AUH then EY AUH-LHR. VA Gold & EY Gold. Should I be asking the VA check-in in SYD to try and opup my EY flight, or should I be asking the AUH lounge staff?

I wouldn't bother asking anyone for an op-up. The only reason you'll be given one is if they need to make room in the class you're booked in and they have empty seats in class(es) above. When that situation arises, my understanding is that EY allocate the op-ups to the pax with the highest status first, so as an EY Gold you'd have a decent chance (assuming that's the FF program you nominate on these flights). It will either happen or not though, it's not something that you can initiate.

Other than that, EY allow upgrades using either points or cash right up to departure, so if you ask for an upgrade I think that's what you will be told. You can upgrade using points in advance either online or by phone. I think an at-airport upgrade for the EY flight would have to be processed by EY staff, and hence at AUH in your case. Bear in mind that you won't have access to the EY lounge in AUH if you're booked in Y though - you get access to the Al Dhabi lounge instead, which is not operated by EY so I don't think staff there will be able to help you. I suspect you'd have to go to an EY service desk in AUH? Not sure though, maybe someone else can confirm.

EDIT: looks like you can phone up for a cash upgrade too, but the website suggests that at-airport upgrades have to be processed by EY check-in agents.......

Push Upgrade

If you prefer to speak to one of our agents, you can call our Global Contact Centre or directly visit one of our Etihad Offices to purchase a Push Upgrade 48 hours prior to departure. Upgrades are subject to seat availability.
Payment methods:

• Credit Card
• Cash (for Etihad Office visitors only)

Instant Airport Upgrade

If you have not managed to upgrade prior to check-in, you may request to purchase an Instant Airport Upgrade from the Etihad check-in agent. Upgrades are subject to seat availability.

Payment methods:

• Cash
• Credit Card
• Guest Miles (for Etihad Guest members)

http://www.etihad.com/en-au/before-you-fly/my-upgrade-options/

 

[MartinMemo]

Thanks! Tones if info!

 

[alex_au]

When disembarking in terminal 3 (most Australian flights arrive here) in AUH prior to going down the stairs to either turn right to Terminal 1 or going left to go through security check in Terminal 3, there is a EY Transfer/info desk on the left hand side manned by about 6-8 staff, depending on the queue you can be served quite quickly and if space available can have a paid upgrade within minutes. You must remember that all upgrades are charged in USD$ in AUH. In Australia they are also charged initially charged in USD prior to a shocking conversion.(The last bit may have changed since my last paid upgrade in Dec 2013). Hope this helps!

 

[Danp]

Spoke to the etihad lounge people in both London and auh and paid for upgrades for the London Abu Dhabi leg cost about $600-900 so a bit pricey.


My etihad flights were a bit horrid to be honest, won't be bothering with them again