Experience the Etihad A380 while earning up to 3x bonus miles

Nearly two years after India's Civil Aviation ministry approved the A380 to operate in India, Etihad announced its plans to start A380 operations to India, in November last year. So here's your opportunity to fly Etihad's A380 - even if it is a hop across to Abu Dhabi and back - starting 1 May 2016. In addition, Etihad is sweetening the deal for you with some bonus miles! Read on...


According to Etihad's website, the aircraft will operate daily on flight EY204 from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai (dep 1410 hrs, arr 1920 hrs), and EY203 from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi (dep 2135 hrs, arr 2325 hrs), both of which carry the 9W code of Jet Airways, Etihad Airways’ strategic partner. Etihad also operates A380 services to JFK, LHR and SYD, if you want to extend your journey!

Etihad's A380 can seat a total of 496 passengers aacross 4 classes: The Residence by Etihad (three-room suite for a maximum of 2 passengers), nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios, and 415 Economy Smart Seats.

You can try out their business class, or even upgrade yourself to a First Apartment, which is possibly the best First Class product in the sky. I managed to get an upgrade last year when flying LHR-AUH, and it was a mind-blowing experience! 

Champagne and finger food on Etihad A380's first apartment LHR-AUH

And of course, if you're really into it, you could book The Residence, which comes with its own set of exclusive frills!

Added bonus - 3x and 2x miles

Though this is an existing route for Etihad (AUH-BOM), given their pride over the A380 service, Etihad has announced a 3x miles for business class, first class and The Residence bookings, and 2x for economy class tickets. The 3x and 2x are total miles earned, so the bonus is actually 2x and 1x, just to be clear. Bonus miles don't qualify as tier miles.

You will need to register here first, between 7 April and 31 May 2016, though you may as well go ahead and register right away! The earning is valid on travel from 1 May and 31 May 2016 on flights EY203 and EY204. Flights can be booked via etihad.com, a travel agent or contact centre, and by 31 May 2016. 

Etihad A380 dinner

All bonus miles will be credited after one month from each flight activity date. Only one bonus miles offer can be used per individual qualifying segment of your itinerary. There's also an unusual T&C that reads: ...If you qualify for multiple offers, the offer first-registered for will be applied to each individual qualifying segment. Wonder what that's all about!

Conclusion

I see some really good prices in May 2016, starting at Rs 11k each way in Economy class, Rs 30k each way in Business class, Rs 75k each way in First class, and about Rs 350k each way in The Residence. However, the First and Residence seem just a little bit over the budget if all you're interested in are the bonus miles :P

On-board bar and lounge on the Etihad A380 - for business and first class passengers only

Interestingly, you can also experience Etihad's First Apartment on the A380 for about 32,000 Etihad Guest miles plus Rs 13-14k in cash each way. There are days when it is available for more, but that was one of the lowest mileage requirements I could find. 


That itself would value Etihad Guest miles at about Rs 2 (or 2.9 US$cents) a mile, which is exceptional! You could also redeem 72,000 JP miles and some limited cash instead, for a taste of Etihad's First Apartment, under JP's new structure for partner awards.

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