As reported by View from the Wing, Etihad Airways awards for dates within about a month of departure are now bookable on the American Airlines website (aa.com). As it has been notoriously difficult to find and book these awards (you had to book over the phone and US phone agents often do not see space available even when it is), it is very surprising to see them bookable online (though note that One Mile at a Time reports that the website is not showing all availability — see under “Quick Thoughts” below). It’s hard to know whether this is a permanent change or something temporary (we have previously seen some partners come online and then disappear from the online engine — though AA eventually resorted online booking in most of those instances). Long story short, if you’re interested in booking Etihad Airways awards, including first class apartments out of New York or Washington DC, make your move now.
The Deal
- Book Etihad award tickets on AA.com: First class from USA to the Middle East for 115K one-way, business class for 70K (or other routes around the world)
- Direct link to aa.com
Quick Thoughts
Note that One Mile at a Time reports that the space now shown on AA.com doesn’t paint the whole picture. According to Ben, the space shown on AA.com at the moment is what US call center agents would see when you call in — typically only seats within a month of departure. If you’re looking to book farther in advance, you may still need to call the Australian call center.
Availability isn’t amazing, but you can search direct routes, like New York JFK to Abu Dhabi (AUH), and then filter to nonstop only. I just see a few days in May right now for first class apartments.
However, business class is at least a little more plentiful close to departure.
However, I do notice some glitchiness on the AA site, with some searches showing me the old calendar view shown above and others bringing me to the new interface. One of my favorite sweet-spot redemptions ever was flying Etihad first class from Cairo to Tokyo (with a connection in Abu Dhabi). It wasn’t the famed Etihad apartments, but the award was terrificly priced in my opinion. At the time, I paid 45K American Airlines miles one-way. That award (Middle East to Asia 1) has since increased to 50K miles one-way, but that’s still a steal in my opinion. However, I’m not sure how many routes Etihad still operates with first class in that part of the world, so you’ll have to hunt around if you’re looking for that type of redemption.
Overall, this is exciting news in terms of getting good value out of American Airlines miles, and it may not last — so make your move sooner rather than later if interested.
H/T: View from the Wing
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[…] on their own metal. However, the miles really shine for use with valuable partners. With Etihad apartments recently coming online for booking at AA.com and excellent availability lately on Qatar Airways, as well as reliable space opening on Japan […]
[…] HT: View from the Wing and Frequent Miler […]
When I book Etihad’s first class apartments – is it on by passenger basis or is it more like a hotel’s rooms – can bring one more person with me ?
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just bring an air mattress along and have a couple people crash on your couch? Pretty sure I know some people who would sit on someone’s lap in economy if the airline would only let you bring as many people as you can fit in the seat on one ticket :-).
Reasonable question with a product that would literally fit a few people, but, sadly, no — each passenger on a flight needs his/her own ticket, so you’ll need to book seats (i.e. pay the required miles) for each passenger.
So, when I book Etihad’s apartment for myself only, somebody else can book the other half/seat in the same apartment ? Or how does it really work ? And if 2 of us plan to go, then I have to book first under my name, then call AA/Etihad customer service to add another person ? Can they charge the same AA rewards account under my name for both tickets ?
There is no other seat in the apartment. There is only one seat in each apartment. There is also a couch that converts to a bed, but you can’t book someone as a passenger on your couch – you just need to choose 2 passengers when you’re booking. Each person gets their own “apartment”.
It’s just like booking a ticket from New York to Chicago — if you want to book for two passengers, choose “2” in the “number of passengers” box when you search for availability. Yes, you can use your AA miles to book tickets for you and your companion (i.e. pay 230,000 AA miles for two passengers in first class from NY to the Middle East). Like I said, just put in 2 passengers when you’re searching – you have to make sure there is availability for 2.
Thank you, Nick !
I realized that I mixed Apartments and Residence )
So for Residence is it the same – each person have to buy ticket or Residence can fit 2 ? ))
And can you still book one with miles ?
Ah-ha! I see. That makes a lot more sense :-).
You can’t book the Residence with AA miles. You can do it with Etihad miles, but I think it requires a ton of miles.
I think you can bring someone for the same price as one person, but I’m not totally sure about how the Residence works since it’s out of my price range :-).
We were returning to the US while in the Apartments last week, and the very helpful flight attendant told us while touring the Residence that to book the Residence required paying for one person, then paying a slight surcharge for a second person. So it’s not just paying for one person, but it’s also not quite paying for a second either…