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I still think about Etihad’s Business Studio. A lot. Probs too much. I miss her.
Do I have a problem? Am I not over the night I spent with Etihad where she swaddled me in her 787 Dreamliner Business Studio luxuries? She’s a beautiful, exotic, pampering princess of opulence that leaves a trail of passengers longing for her company. It’s no wonder I’m still obsessed. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.
*Warning: you may fall under her spell as well.
Here are just 7 of the reasons I’m still swooning a year later
- It cost me just $7 and 67,500 Aadvantage miles or
- 60,750 after the 10% discount from having the Barclay Aviator card or Citi Aadvantage Platinum
- You enter from the Lounge…could it get any better? No ploebs, please. 😉
- The Etihad boarding music is Emirati bliss
- I flew backwards…which was on my bucket list
- The hard and soft product are truly exceptional. What’s better than baller…maybe Baller XL – that’s why this is Baller XXL
- After an incredible flight – you can kick it in a dope arrival’s lounge where you…
- Take a free Chauffeured Audi to your destination.
- Did I mention it cost $7 – ya…ridics.
Here’s a look at the itinerary that I flew last year.
Here’s what it would have cost to pay out of pocket: did I mention I paid $7?
1. The Etihad 787 Business Studio cost me just $7
That’s right folks – the booking fee was $7. I also got a free positioning flight to IAD from LAX as a part of the ticket. If you’re interested in seeing how to do this…check out my tutorial.
If this doesn’t make you run around your living room in glee, what will? You can do it too. In fact, the current American Award chart has this flight for 70k and $7. Check it here:
Miles was so excited he passed out for a second… I waived Champagne under his nose like smelling salts – worked like magic!
2. You enter the plane directly from the lounge – like a BOSS
That’s right, after you have enjoyed a sit down meal, or a buffet if you prefer, you then board the plane straight from the lounge. I challenge you to not brush your shoulders off, do a pimp step, and do this:
Right before you see this:
If you have heart problems…I’d recommend taking a deep breath because the cabin is just that beautiful.
3. Etihad Boarding music is Emirati bliss:
I don’t want to ruin it for you, but it’s amazing. You can listen here.
4. Yep, I flew backwards. It’s something you must do
Dave, much like Jack Nicholson, was cool enough to wear shades inside, at night – because this plane and cabin amplify your inner swag. As you can also see, he’s facing the same direction the plane is boarding. Disregard all the jealousy and envy pouring out of the faces of the econ passengers…I’d feel the same too.
5. The Hard and Soft product are Baller…nix that – Baller XXL
- Hard product refers to the things that are bolted down. Seat, IFE, bathrooms, etc.
- Soft refers to the food, the entertainment in the IFE, the Pajamas – Man, I loved the pjs.
6. After the flight you can kick it in the Arrival’s lounge for a shave
If you haven’t had enough pampering on the nearly 13 hour flight, well then, of course you can indulge more in the Arrival’s lounge. Did I mention this cost $7? Have a shower, shave, or just a refreshment – it’s all yours to enjoy.
7. Take a Chauffeur to your destination for the price of…. “on the house”
Just call ahead of time and book the chauffeur which is included on award flights! Incred.
And we were off to the Grand Hyatt Dubai – an hour away…all included!
If this is the sort of thing that you’d like to do: you can read more
- Etihad Business Studio Review
- Etihad Lounge Washington D.C.
- Etihad First/Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi
- Etihad Pearl Business Class Review
And how you can book Etihad tickets with American Airlines here
How do you get AAdvantage miles?
Here’s a couple ways. But continue to read Monkeymiles.com as there are always new and inventive ways!
- Credit cards
- Buy them
Would you like some more help?
Check out our award booking service! We will book your trip for you. Click here
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card went through a major refresh in 2026 adding new bonus categories, travel protections, statement credits, and remains one of the best travel starter cards in the market. It earns Premium Ultimate Rewards that can be transferred into over a dozen partners many of which are US based including Hyatt, Southwest, United, IHG, and Marriott. Note that Hyatt is now a 4:3 transfer partner
Welcome Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$95
Points Earned
Transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards
Earn
- 5x on all travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on gas and EV charging
- 3x points on vacation homes at top brands
- Cardmembers will earn 3x points on vacation homes at these top brands: Airbnb, Vrbo, Plu Guide, HomeAway, Homestay.com and Vacasa.
- 3x on dining, including eligible delivery services for takeout & dining out
- 3x on select streaming services
- 3x on online grocery purchases
- (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2x on all other travel
- 1x on everyday purchases
Benefits and Credits
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 – a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists the best ever offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.
Historically 80k is a very, very good offer and hit in both 2022 and 2023. In 2021, we saw the offer hit an all time high of 100k. Who knows if that will ever come back.
Main Cast:
Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.
Supporting Cast:
Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is great starter card and offers transferrable Ultimate Rewards, and pairs well with other Chase cards.
If you carry this card alongside Chase’s cashback cards like the Chase Freedom Flex® and Chase Freedom Unlimited® or the business versions: Chase Ink Business Cash® , Chase Ink Business Unlimited® you can combine the points into the Sapphire Preferred account and transfer into hotel and airline partners
Annual fee remains quite low at $95 a year and it has great bonus categories and useful statement credits that not only enhance your travel, but help offset the annual fee.
One thing that is a bummer is Chase lowered the transfer ratio to World of Hyatt from 1:1 to 4:3.
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.