How Can You Upgrade To Etihad First Class?

You have several ways to upgrade with Etihad Airways, including using Etihad Guest miles, paying for an upgrade, or bidding for one. However, help from upgrade specialists available at +1 (800) 419-9920 can make it easier to upgrade your Etihad ticket to First Class.

Want to enhance your Etihad flight’s experience, or are you dreaming of gourmet dining, a fully flat bed, and a private suite while flying in the sky? Etihad First Class is what you are craving for. But have already bought another cabin class ticket or can’t purchase a full Etihad first class ticket upfront? Not a problem, Etihad First Class upgrade is your ultimate key. Before you start groping the internet to find an Etihad free upgrade to First Class, we want to make it clear that it is nothing short of a myth that smart and savvy travelers know very well. So investing your time in looking for a complimentary or free upgrade to Etihad First Class can only help others to secure fully-flat seats easily, but not you. So let’s make a strategy together and learn quantifiable methods to upgrade your Etihad ticket to First Class.

Aware Tip: Instead of navigating through the Etihad upgrade process alone, get experts’ help on call at +1 (800) 419-9920 and make it simpler.

How Do You Upgrade To First Class On Etihad Airways?

When you are in hunt for an upgrade to First Class from Economy or any other cabin class, the best thing that can happen to you is that your flight is booked with Etihad Airways because it offers three primary ways to change your cabin class for a better experience that are pay for an upgrade, bid for upgrade, or redeem miles, leaving it up to you what method you see more convenient and achievable. Let’s take a look at all three options available for your Etihad first class upgrade.

1. Bidding For Etihad Airways First Class Upgrade

You must note that no other first class upgrade method of Etihad Airways can be better than this one because it can offer you the significant value of a luxurious first-class seat, rather than purchasing the full First-Class ticket upfront. Here is how you can bid for an Etihad first-class upgrade:

• First, check your eligibility by using your booking reference and last name on the dedicated upgrade page on Etihad’s website.
• If your ticket is eligible for an upgrade, Etihad will send you an email after booking to invite you to bid for an upgrade to the next cabin (Economy to Business Class or Business Class to First Class). Use the invite link to participate in bidding.
• Now you will see the maximum and minimum prices for the bidding. It depends on you how much you want to spend to move to First Class. We suggest you make a bid slightly above the minimum bid price, which will increase your chances.
• After submitting your bid, you will wait for a reply up to 24 hours before departure to know if your bid was successful. If you don’t get any reply, you will not be charged, and your booking also remains unchanged.

Aware Tip: Fly on Etihad’s weekday flights or routes with less premium demand, as they often accept lower bids.

2. Using Etihad Guest Miles For Upgrade To First Class

If you are high on accumulated Etihad Guest Miles, then using miles to upgrade to first class is also as good as bidding for an upgrade. However, you have to make sure that you have enough miles in your account to get a first class upgrade because the number of miles needed for an Etihad first class upgrade changes based on distance and route. Use Etihad Guest Miles Calculator to know the exact number. Here is how to use miles to upgrade to First Class on Etihad.

• Go to Etihad’s website and log in to Manage My Trip.
• Select the flight that you want to upgrade and check if any Etihad first class upgrade offer is available.
• If an upgrade is available, continue with “Upgrade with Miles”.
• Check the required number of miles to get a first class upgrade.
• Redeem the miles to immediately get an upgrade to first class confirmation.

Please note that Etihad upgrades are subject to availability in the upgrade award fare class; the upgrade inventory is limited and often sells out quickly. So you may also consider AwareTravels’ call support at +1 (800) 419-9920, if you can redeem or get an upgrade with miles.

3. Paying For Etihad First Class Upgrade

Etihad first class upgrade with cash is an option that we will suggest to you only when you missed the bidding time or could not get it with miles. This is because you can’t negotiate the price of Etihad first class upgrade offered at check-in, departure gate, or sometimes even after boarding. Here is what you need to do to purchase an Etihad first class upgrade:

• Ask for a cash Etihad upgrade to first class during check-in or at the boarding gate.
• If any First Class seats remain unsold when the flight is about to depart, Etihad may offer you an upgrade.
• Be prepared with your credit card to pay the offered price for the Etihad first class upgrade.

Closing Thoughts

Upgrading to first class on Etihad shall not be your luck but a strategy based on using miles, placing a bid, or directly purchasing an upgrade. While the methods of Etihad Guest Miles and bid upgrade give the best value, you need to make sure your ticket is eligible for upgrade, and seats are available. Don’t leave your upgrade to Etihad first class to chance; get an assured upgrade by calling an agent at +1 (800) 419-9920.

You may also be interested in:
1. How Does Southwest Upgrade to Business Select (Choice Extra)?
2. How Can I Upgrade to First Class on Emirates?
3. How to Upgrade to First Class on Delta​?
4. How Do I Upgrade to First Class on United?

FAQ’s