Questions and Answers

Hi Friends I am flying on Etihad in business next month. I booked with points through AA and I was wondering what options do I have to upgrade to first?

Thanks

You’ll need to use AA points to upgrade if an award seat becomes available. I don’t know if a cash option will be presented at any point but maybe others do.

They sell everything. Cash upgrade from J to F could be several thousand dollars per segment though depending on from where you will fly. But never more than 4,000.

I stand corrected. Prices have increased further, probably in order to lower Etihad losses. Someone was recently quoted USD 5,525 for JFK-AUH upgrade, and SYD route has also been clearly over 4,000 now. But sometimes you can get USD 1,000-2,000 upgrades in poorer outstations nearer AUH.

Another fun topic is downgrade though, several people reporting EY has downgraded their J seat to Y, especially if booked with AA miles. The partnership is likely ending soon and if they can sell the seat for cash, they downgrade you and all you get are some miles back from AA. Even gate downgrades reported. Normal way of doing business in ME.