Etihad offering a 20% points transfer bonus + 15% discount code

Etihad has launched two new promotions in the last 24 hours.

As we tweeted yesterday afternoon, they are running a 20% bonus on points transfers from hotel partners as well as HSBC Rewards to Etihad Guest during April.

20% bonus when you transfer hotel points or @HSBC Reward points to @EtihadAirways – ends 30th April #bonus #etihadguest

— Tricks of the Trade (@xexecTOTT) April 1, 2019

The 20% bonus is available on points transfers from the following partners. Note that the bonus is on top of the conversion ratios shown below.

Unless you’re just short of the amount of Etihad miles needed for a flight redemption, I don’t recommend transferring hotel points to Etihad on the basis of this bonus alone. There are a couple of exceptions where you might consider it.

The first is HSBC Rewards points. These are a flexible points currency that can be transferred to four airline mileage programs: British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer and Etihad Guest. I don’t recall seeing bonuses to either Krisflyer or Asia Miles before, while there have been occasional bonuses to British Airways. On that basis, if you’ve been hoarding your HSBC Reward points waiting for the right opportunity this bonus may provide that sweetener.

The other option is Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points convert to Etihad Guest at a 1:3 ratio.

Marriott throws in a bonus 15,000 points for every 60,000 that you convert to airline miles. If this operates in the same way as the recent 30% bonus on hotel points to Avios even those extra 15,000 points should attract the 30% bonus. On that basis, 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points would become 32,500 Etihad Guest miles – a pretty decent deal. 

The 20% bonus ends on 30th April.

You can convert your points on this page of the Etihad website.

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15% off Etihad economy and business class flights 

Etihad has also released two new summer discount codes for travel in economy and business class.

Economy discount code: EYECO15

Business class discount code: EYBUS15

• Available for flights departing the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy and Netherlands
• Economy bookings must depart between 1st May 2019 and 30th June 2019 and return by 31st July 2019.
• Business class bookings must depart and return between 1st July 2019 and 31st August 2019.

The discount is valid on Economy Deal and Saver fares as well as Business Saver fares – it would seem that you need to select ‘Saver’ fares on both the inbound and outbound legs to access the discount.

Both codes expire midnight local time on 15th April 2019

Flights must be booked directly on the Etihad website here

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Norwegian Air launches new Miami service from Gatwick

Norwegian Air has commenced their new daily service from London Gatwick to Miami. The flight is operated by a 787-9 aircraft and is using the following flight times:

• Leaves London Gatwick (LGW) at 10:00, arrives in Miami (MIA) at 14:20
• Leaves Miami (MIA) at 17:00, arrives at London Gatwick (LGW) at 06:20

It will be interesting to see what effect Norwegian’s presence has on this particular route. Looking briefly at pricing over August, they look to be very competitive.

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Virgin Atlantic trialing Twilight check-in at Manchester

Virgin Atlantic are trialling their Twilight check-in service at Manchester Airport. The trial is running from 1st April to 31st May 2019.

Twilight check-in is designed to allow you some extra sleep before an early morning flight and I suppose could be useful in avoiding the rush during peak times such as bank holiday/school holidays.

The service is available between 4:00pm and 8:00pm the day before your flight. You must then arrive 90 minutes before boarding the next day with your boarding pass and passport.

Some Googling suggests that Twilight check-in has been available at other airports such as Gatwick for a while, although I can’t say I was aware of it.

Have you ever used Virgin’s Twilight check-in – is it a genuine time-saver?