Air Canada Aeroplan and Etihad Guest have launched an exciting new partnership as of today. This was initially hinted at back in April 2019, so the partnership is a bit over a year late, but it has now happened. Better late than never, right?
Continue reading: Cool: Air Canada & Etihad Airways Launch Partnership
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
OK Etihad, say goodbye to any award space. With the recent Aeroplan bonuses everyone now has a stack of miles to burn... A big devaluation is looming
So would this mean a one way first class etihad flight with aeroplan miles from USA to Australia would be 110k points? Or would you have to buy a ticket Abu Dhabi and then to Australia? I'm just curious how we think the routing will work. Also would you have to buy 2 tickets to get to Europe on Etihad or could you buy 1 ticket that routes through Abu Dhabi to Europe? If it's 1 ticket this would be an incredible sweet spot.
Terrible rates using Etihad miles; if I want to go from FL to Vancouver it's gonna be 47k economy and 94k in business? NO THANK YOU! I was actually planning this route (taking AirCanada) b4 COVID. SQ miles are best for business but doesn't allow AC Rouge and UA miles went up 10%.
@Andrew C - I can confirm you can book JFK-AUH-SYD for 110k one way or 220k round trip. I just did it myself!
Taxes were ~ $170. Needed to book via phone as JFK-AUH were not showing up online. Additionally the AC call center was able to see some space even I couldn't see
There was a time that Qatar was rumoured to be joining *A and then Lufthansa vetoed it overnight.
I guess Lufthansa, Singapore and possibly Turkish might veto Etihad which is a pity because I think they would be a great addition to an alliance.
I would like to clarify that this "partnership" only goes to earn Award Miles and do not count towards Elite Status, not even those Codesharing flights from both airlines. Altitiude Elite members don't have access to EY lounges or Viceversa. After all the "battles" supported by Canadian government (sometimes feels that AC is a Crown company), AC blocked Gulf airlines to add more flights into Canada... now they are asking to EY to create a partnership, in my opinion observing their moves for years, they are now in the "survive mode" using it as a "Marketing" strategy to strength their international network and "bluff" to the competition of WS whom by the way, I'm very disappointed when they made the agreement with DL instead of staying more neutral as AS and do more alliances.
I don't think this is not a move into Star Alliance... EY has similar agreements for many years with many airlines including AA (agreement remain in place) , KE, UL, NH.
can you mix classes on an award, so USA-AUH in J, and AUH-SYD in F for instance?
Keep in mind the recent reduction in MPM - Aeroplan now follows IATA MPM, not the previous generous MPM. Devaluations are coming in stealthly.
Seems backtracking isn't allowed. For example. JFK-AUH-LHR is not bookable. But, JFK-AUH-SYD is bookable. That's a nice routing with a stopover allowed.
Frequent miler has US to LHR via AUH for 70K one way and 140K RT. That looks like sweet spot of sweet spots.
If you think this is already too good, two words: hidden tickets (aka skiplagging).
Will be interesting to see if Etihad moves from T3 to T1 in YYZ to facilitate connections from AC flights.
i just called trying to book JFK - AUH - SYD, and was told it was not within the maximum MPM, which is false. i called again and they couldnt see availability at all. will keep trying, i think there are just issues because this is so new.
You can book that online. At least I saw JFK (business) to AUH to SYD (First) for 110k miles.
@Fcflyer, I just ticketed SYD-AUH-JFK all in F oneway, and it was indeed 115k aeroplan miles as stated in redemption chart.
It is if you can find it. I can't find the JFK to AUH leg, but it theoretically would be...
I do not see that AA miles can book Etihad.
On the AA website Etihad is no longer listed as a Oneworld partner.
There were great sweet spots for F class from Paris-Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi-Seoul, but I think that’s all gone now.
Aeroplan may be the best option for miles redemption.
@fcflyer it is indeed. But stopover on one ways. Eastbound you have the option of double A380s with 3hrs in AUH, or A380 / 777 mix (still in F) with an oveenight in AUH. Not sure about westbound schedules
Anyone finding award space in economy for an USA-AUH flight on EY? Can't find a single flight any day.
I got two seats in F for JFK-AUH-SYD early July... might not be able to enter the countries but hey.
What an awesome deal and two seats together?? That's awesome.
If you're looking for space now, give up and wait for people to cancel closer to your travel dates because all inventory is gone.
Are these the first steps of EY of becoming a Sar Alliance member? I for once , is surely excited. It has been my wish that EY becomes a member. Hope it is on a good path.