Etihad Business Class for 2 (possibly 9)
A couple of months ago, I sent an alert with space from Sept 2022 through mid-July 2023. Since then, some of that space has been booked for pulled by Etihad. However, there's still space on many dates plus some more space through the end of the schedule.
You can even find space for up to 9 people on one route. More on that later.
Even if the UAE isn't on your list, this could be a great way to get the Maldives, India, Egypt, and more! I'm flying Etihad's new business class on the A350 in a couple of weeks so I'll be able to share my thoughts on that experience soon!
Shoutout to Thrifty Traveler for noticing additional space has opened up.
Now, let's get into it the award space!
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Image courtesy of Live And Let's Fly
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: IAD/JFK/ORD-AUH
Operating airline: Etihad
Class of service: Business class
Dates: July-September 2023
Seats available: 2 (up to 9 out of JFK)
Cabin layout: 1-2-1
Book with (per person, one-way):
- *Air Canada Aeroplan: 90,000 miles
- *American AAdvantage: 70,000 miles (in theory)
- Asiana Club: 60,000 miles (in theory; not the JFK route)
- Etihad Guest: 120,000 miles
*No surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person):
- One-way: ~$37
- Round-trip: ~$107
- With Surcharges:
- One-way: ~$475
- Round-trip: ~$955
Bank transfer partners:
- Air Canada: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Marriott
- American: Bilt, Marriott
- Asiana: Marriott
- Etihad: Amex, Citi, Capital One, Marriott
Don't forget to let me know if you book and how you did it!
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Image courtesy of Live And Let's Fly
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DISCLAIMER: Please be aware that COVID travel restrictions could prevent you from traveling. Additionally, please make sure you understand the cancellation, redeposit, and change fees required before booking.
Flight Experience
You'll find Etihad's new business class product on their A350-1000s out of ORD and JFK (next spring). The cabin is similar to British Airways' Club Suites - reverse herringbone + privacy doors.
Etihad's Business Studio on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is also a solid business class option. The cabin is arranged in a staggered 1-2-1 layout. Odd numbered seats are rear-facing while even-numbered seats are front-facing.
If you're traveling solo, you'll have the most privacy in the even-numbered window seats. Couples often prefer the even-numbered middle seats which are close together and thus make it easier to interact.
Overall, Etihad provides a solid business class experience with great crews and and more than satisfactory food and drink options.
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Available Dates
JFK operates two flights out of JFK. On the A350, you'll find space for 2. However, on the Boeing 789, you can often find space for up to 9 people.
ORD-AUH
July: 10-12, 18-21, 24-31
August: 3-5, 7-11, 13, 14, 23-29
September:
AUH-ORD
July: 3-6, 10, 11, 19, 23, 25-28, 31
August: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 16, 23-31
September: 4-28
IAD-AUH
July: 9, 13, 14, 16-20, 22-26, 28-31
August: 3, 4, 7-14, 16-27, 30
September: 3-5, 7-28
AUH-IAD
July: 2, 3, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21-23, 26-31
August: 1-4, 6-9, 12-24, 26-30
September: 1-5, 7-28
JFK-AUH
July: 4, 6, 9-11, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 23-31
August: 1-8, 10, 12, 13, 15-17, 19-24, 26-30
September: 2-5, 7-12, 14-21, 23-28
AUH-JFK
July: 1, 2, 6-9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20-25, 26-31
August: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8-10, 12-15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29-31
September: 2-10, 12-28
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Best Ways To Book
Aeroplan: Easy To Earn, Solid Award Rate, No Surcharges
Since you can transfer points from Amex, Bilt, Capital One, and Chase, Aeroplan will be the best option for most people. Plus, Aeroplan doesn't tack on surcharges so the taxes/fees are low. This all combines to make 90,000 Aeroplan points a great option for booking Etihad business class.
Chase is running a 30% transfer bonus through Nov. 30 so you could transfer 63,000 Ultimate Rewards points to get the 90,000 Aeroplan points.
Please remember that Aeroplan has both region-based and distance-based components to its award chart. As such, connections could cause the award rate to increase.
With Aeroplan, you can include a stopover for 5,000 points on a one-way award ticket. You can use GCmap to calculate your total flight distance and double-check Aeroplan's zone-based chart.
(Maybe) American AAdvantage: Great Rate, Tough To Earn
I'll preface this by saying that the AA phone agents I spoke with were unable to see this award space. I would not plan on this being bookable with AA miles.
If you credit lots of cash tickets to American, use one of their co-branded cards, or if you bought miles during the SimplyMiles/Conservational International promo last December, this is a great option at 70,000 miles one-way.
As with Aeroplan, you won't be on the hook for surcharges. However, the big AAdvantage (get it, get it), is that you can included connections within the US, within the Middle East, and to the Indian Subcontinent for no additional miles.
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Image courtesy of Live And Let's Fly
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How To Book
I'd search with Air Canada. Here's a quick rundown on the search process:
- Go to Air Canada's site
- Select to use Points
- Enter origin and destination
- Select one-way or round-trip
- Select number of people
- Enter departure (and return) date
- Select your flights
- Pay taxes/fees
I recommend confirming the space is available then transferring points. You'll need to log out after you transfer points then run the search once more so you can book.
If you're booking with American miles, get ready to put in some additional work. Once you confirm the award space is available with Aeroplan, you'll need to call American to put a ticket on hold. However, the US call center won't be able to help you. I would try one of the following call centers:
Australia: +61 2-9101-1948
New Zealand: +64 09-308-4014
Singapore: +65 6349-8444
Malaysia: +60 3-2053-5120
You will need to provide the exact flight details (date, flight number, etc.) rather than simply asking them to search for award space on your dates.
With the ticket on hold, call the US call center (1-800-433-7300) to pay the taxes and fees. Make sure they don't charge a phone booking fee since this isn't available on American's site.
Again, I will note that AA was unable to see the space when I called.
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Final Thoughts
If you've already been to the UAE, it's still a great option to connect on your way to somewhere else in the Middle East, the Maldives, or even Southeast Asia. I'll have more thoughts on Etihad new business class on the A350 soon.
Happy booking!
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