This is fascinating (at least to me). Etihad is known for the Residence, which is their private three room suite with butler service available on their fleet of A380s. I had the chance to fly the Residence from Abu Dhabi to Sydney last year, and it was the most memorable flight I’ve ever had.
The Residence experience begins before you get on the plane. In addition to being escorted every step of the way from the moment you arrive at the airport at your origin until the moment you leave the airport at your destination, Etihad has a dedicated Residence Lounge in Abu Dhabi. Here you get a private suite with butler service, and it’s almost as over the top as the in-air experience.
In order to make the experience as consistent as possible, Etihad also has special rooms for passengers traveling in the Residence at some of their outstations, so they can get privacy from the rest of the passengers. They have this in New York and London, for example.
Etihad is in a pretty bad financial position and has been cutting costs and trying to increase revenue like crazy the past couple of years. Earlier this year Etihad began selling access to their Residence Lounge in Melbourne for just 40AUD, and selling access to their New York JFK Residence Lounge for 40USD.
They figure that if the room is empty otherwise they might as well get some revenue from it. Passengers who book these rooms obviously won’t receive the special services that Residence passengers would get. The verdict is still out there about whether this is a smart way to increase revenue, or just cheapens the experience.
Well, Etihad has now taken this concept to the next level.
On the webpage detailing the Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi, they talk about now being able to get a “VIP Room experience” for just $100 (assuming you have access to the first class lounge anyway). Here’s how this is described:
You can now pay and upgrade to a VIP Room within our First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Treat yourself to the luxury of a little extra space, comfort and privacy before your flight. Unwind and relax in your own, private lounge and TV area, and allow our dedicated host to serve you refreshments in your exclusive dining area for up to four people.
Enjoy a spa treatment, and freshen up in your private bathroom and shower room, fully stocked with Omorovizca products. Immerse yourself in a selection of newspapers, magazines and books or simply rest, relax and recharge before your flight.
If you have access to the First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi International Airport (inclusive or payable), you can book the exclusive VIP Room experience for an additional $100.
This is available in our First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi International Airport Only.
Hmmm, I didn’t realize that the lounge had a “VIP room,” though upon closer inspection, it looks identical to one of the two Etihad Residence Lounges. There are two private Residence Lounges, in case there’s a situation where two separate people are booked on flights in the Residence around the same time. There’s the main room (pictured above), and then there’s the second Residence Lounge, which is identical to the one in the “VIP room” pictured above.
So now you can pay just 100USD to access the Etihad Residence Lounge Abu Dhabi, pending availability. Presumably caviar, lobster, premium champagne, and butler aren’t included, though. 😉
Could you see yourself paying $100 to access the Etihad Residence Lounge Abu Dhabi?
@747always Oh right, Of course. Because it's written in the laws that Etihad needs to strictly limit lounge access as part of flying residence's exclusivity. This cannot be altered in any way because this will upset other passengers very much, especially those on award tickets. HOW DARE THEY try to improve revenue opportunities like this??!? Do they NOT know their sole existence is to make non-revenue passengers happy instead of making a profit!!!! HOW DARE THEY!!
@menalwaysright your query is illogical. If I pay for the Residence in points or cash, either way I’d want exclusivity. The Residence Lounge is no longer exclusive if any idiot like myself can buy in for UsD 100.
cheapening the product in this manner?
did you pay for the residence with cash or cheapened miles?
YES in an heart beat. if it comes with butler, food en spa treatment. count me in.
Quite offensive. It is disappointing that they are cheapening the product in this manner.
Next big thing is "Etihad now rent The Residence bedroom for those who want to join the mile high club(5min shower included)"
Cmon lucky...this is like the fifth post on the subject.
Etihad is selling out on all fronts...we get it.
Is that $100 figure per person?
Booked this last week on a 12h layover. Well worth the money for a party of two.
Residence food, drinks or butler are not included but they do dedicate a senior service staff from the lounge to serve you in the room (no need to get anything yourself).
Another change is that they have changed the two rooms that used to be available for all First Class lounge guests on first come first served into...
Booked this last week on a 12h layover. Well worth the money for a party of two.
Residence food, drinks or butler are not included but they do dedicate a senior service staff from the lounge to serve you in the room (no need to get anything yourself).
Another change is that they have changed the two rooms that used to be available for all First Class lounge guests on first come first served into another Residence Lounge.
So in total they have three Residence Lounges, one of which is sold out as the VIP Room.
Pretty useless option if you can't have any customized food in the Residence lounge.
It does mention a “dedicated host to serve you refreshments”. So maybe it does include the butler??
Ben-
I have an upcoming AUH-LHR in F, and would love to take advantage of this $100 deal.
On the EY website it just gives all the info, nowhere doe it say how to book it or get in contact with the lounge concierge...
Do you have any ideas?
Thanks!
@ Pascal W -- It can only be reserved day of, subject to availability (since it's only available if no one is booked in the Residence).
Is there a way for economy passengers to use it?