Etihad has been my favourite First Class product since their old suites, but with their new product in Etihad Apartments, it just kicks ass of every other First Class product out there with all the space it provides. On the way back on the #redcarpettrip, I recently had an opportunity to fly Etihad Apartments along with Shipra for about 12 hours in their newly launched New York – Abu Dhabi A380 flight.
Now, they are bringing the A380 to Mumbai w.e.f. May 1, 2016 and I thought it would be nice to be on the inaugural. A short 3.5 hour flight (block time), but it would actually be only 2.5 hours of flying most good days. I had it all ticketed with AAdvantage miles, at 35000 miles per person for two seats, however, it wasn’t meant to be.
It turns out my schedule is pretty booked up at that time of the year, and I would hate to go over to Abu Dhabi just to come back on the inaugural flight.
So, with the impeding AAdvantage devaluation in 21 days, I just decided to take my miles back and use it another place. We’ll have to see what that place would be.
But for anyone who wants to be on the inaugural Etihad Apartments flight from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, your coast is clear. Maybe they will even have a First Class lounge opening on that day 
Who’s over for the inaugural then?
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AJ,
When you cancel an award Ticket booked using AA, is there any cancellation fee charged by American? Do they re deposit 100% miles back to your account?
@Krishnakumar, you pay $150 for first pax and $25 second pax onwards. waived for executive plats
@ AJ
Do you get your AA miles back when you cancel Etihad Award ticket? I have blocked 4 Business seats on the same flight AUH to BOM at 40000 JP miles each one way. However scared to take a plunge as my travel date is in November, and JP miles are non refundable.
Is there any “Safer Alternative ” to book award ticket on Etihad?
@krishnakumar American and most airlines in the west give you an option to redeposit miles if an award does not work for you. Jet does not. So…safer options depend on the mileage currency you have.
And I just cancelled a 4 night InterCon Bora Bora overwater bungalow award stay. I guess the extra day is turning out to be a sad one.