Etihad Awards with American Airlines
For the second time this year, a ToP reader (thanks Dave W.) has spotted wide-open first and business class (?) Etihad awards bookable with American Airlines. Like that first alert, many of the ToP team have First class awards booked already and are excited to experience one of the world's best First class products for 13+ hours. Now let's get to the details.
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First Class Award Space Available
For most of American Airlines' 2024 calendar, Etihad awards are available with American Airlines' miles. The route in particular with First class space is Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH). Two or more awards are available almost every day between January and March 2024 and 33-50% of days between April and August. For a return flight, there is sporadic available from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Dulles (IAD) in First Class between January and June 2024 and then is wide-open throughout the summer months of July and August. This route costs 115,000 AA miles and $7.00 per person. Many members of ToP have this space booked and confirmed, with First class seats selected with Etihad.
Business Class & Onward Travel Awards
There is also quite a bit of Etihad award space with American Airlines in business class. From Toronto (YYZ) to Abu Dhabi there are 2+ business awards every day January to May, 2024. There is not quite as much space back to Toronto, but it exists. Likewise, there are sporadic dates (mostly Sunday to Wednesday departures) from Dulles (IAD), O'Hare (ORD), and New York (JFK) to Abu Dhabi January-May, 2024 and then mostly wide-open availability in both directions June-August, 2024. Even better, ToP readers have had success finding availability from IAD, ORD, or JFK to their smaller, hometown airports for no extra cost. These business class seats cost 70,000 American Airlines miles and $7 to $50 in taxes.
Some readers report issues booking this space, but others have had success. Is it phantom? I suspect some of it is, but lots of the space is certainly available.
Etihad Awards with American Airlines: ToP Thoughts
Run, don't walk, to get these Etihad awards booked with American Airlines! I personally have 2 First class flights booked and another on hold. We have reports of numerous ToP members with confirmed space as well. As for the business class, it is likely that some of this is phantom space and these awards are not bookable. Select your dates and go through the payment process and hope for the best. Note that Aeroplan continues to have issues and does not see much of this space, especially First class. Come over to our Facebook group and let us know if you book it.
H/T to Thrifty Traveler Premium (who sent out an email while I was finalizing our article).
