Etihad Changing Some Mistake Fare Itineraries

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Are you 1 of the lucky folks who bought an ultra-cheap mistake fare from Etihad in December, 2014?

If so, check your email!  Point Me to the Plane reports Etihad is canceling itineraries booked on partner airlines, and re-booking folks on direct Etihad flights!

And folks on FlyerTalk confirm they’ve had their tickets changed as well.

Etihad Changing Some Mistake Fare Itineraries
Did You Get in on the Etihad Mistake Fare? Your Itinerary May Have Changed

For some folks, this won’t make a difference (maybe they prefer a direct flight!).  But for others this will be a real pain!

What’s Happening?

Link:   Etihad Mistake Fare FlyerTalk Thread

Some folks who bought the Etihad mistake fare purchased tickets that routed through Europe, with the 1st leg from the US on an Etihad partner airline, like American Airlines.

Many booked this way on purpose to build in a long layover or overnight stop in European cities like Dublin, Manchester, or Paris.

Etihad Changing Some Mistake Fare Itineraries
Did You Plan for a Quick Pint in Dublin Before Flying to Abu Dhabi? You’re Likely Out of Luck!

But now, Etihad is canceling the segments on partner airlines, and re-booking folks on direct Etihad-operated flights from the US to Abu Dhabi!  If your flights are affected, you’ll get an email with your new trip details.

Part of the email reads:

We refer to the recent booking you made online to travel on our services.  The flights that were selected require travel on our code share partner American Airlines for a part of your journey and then a transfer on to a connecting Etihad Airways flight.  As we operate a non-stop service on the same date, we have accommodated you on the direct Etihad Airways flight at no additional cost to yourself.  Please find attached the new travel itinerary and e-ticket for your journey.

This isn’t good news for folks who were looking forward to a pit-stop in Europe on the way to their final destination.

And it’s very bad news for those who booked flights from their home airport to the city where their Etihad itinerary begins, because the timing of those might not work anymore.

Some might have purchased non-refundable rooms or activities for their European layover!

Etihad Changing Some Mistake Fare Itineraries
Hopefully You Didn’t Book a Non-Refundable Hotel in Europe!

Some folks have tried to call Etihad to have their original itinerary re-instated, but most are being told that it’s not possible.  That’s because it’s a mistake fare, and Etihad likely doesn’t want to lose more money by paying their partner airlines the proper rate for those flight segments!

While it’s nice that Etihad honored the fare, these schedule changes could be very inconvenient (and expensive) for folks who booked tickets through Europe.

But I guess it’s hard to complain (much) when you got your ticket for less than $200 round-trip! 😉

Bottom Line

Etihad is changing the itineraries of folks who booked mistake fare tickets with segments on partner airlines, like American Airlines.  Check your email to see if your flights are affected.

This is bad news for folks who wanted a layover or stopover in a European city before continuing to Abu Dhabi.  And it’s even worse for those who bought flights from their home airport to the city where their Etihad itinerary starts.  Or for those who purchased non-refundable European hotel rooms and activities.

But it’s good news for those who prefer the direct flight!

Remember to follow me on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss out on the next mistake fare or deal!

Did Etihad change your itinerary?

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