@Lee ***********

Got it for £500 - nothing mentioned about the second leg from Abu Dhabi to Bkk though. I'm assuming I'll get that too. Fingers crossed.

**Update guys**

Just had an email form Etihad to say my bid has been successful for a "business class studio". They look forward to welcoming me on board.

After several emails asking if I want to up my bid as there are only limited seats etc...I could of kept upping it and never known.

I'll update later once on board to see just how many of us there really are in the Business cabin.....

Total scam. If anyone else is thinking of doing this set you bid at £500 and do not budge!

You'll likely get your seat.

@James *******

More emails asking if I'd like to up my bid today - not sure why it would matter if there's 15 of us bidding and mines at £500.....

Other than that I've had a nice upgrade at the Raddison. Hoping a sign of "good" things to come....🤣

@Pauline ******

My thoughts exactly. I'm not not budging on my current bids and will be surprised if there are 15 of us bidding over a remaining 4 seats. If that's the case, how on earth have the other 26 or so seats been booked when there was no option to book them directly up until recently days. They are now charging £1400 per leg - if booked directly. Who on earth pays that amount for business? That's nigh on 1st class prices. If I were to do all four legs, there and back at that price it would cost £5600. Absolute madness.

Exactly what I thought. I'll find out in about 24 hours time. Funny that they're now saying still 4 sears available - despite there now been 13 of us allegedly in a bidding war!

@Dave **********

Correct. There is now an option to buy directly. There wasn't six weeks ago. The price is now £1400 - just to Abu Dhabi.

About the same from Abu Dhabi to Bkk - 3k to BKK is ridiculous. They're charging 1st class rates.

Also I see there's 4 seats left....God knows, no idea how it all works. I'm sure there's method in their madness 💰 🤑 💸 💲 🪙 🤯🤣

I'm now receiving independent emails asking if I'd like to upgrade....If seats are taken, and there's 15 of us fighting over 4 seats surely Etihad wouldn't be sending out independent emails asking if i'd like to upgrade...

I just tried it via the link and it took me back to the bidding process!

Scam!!!

@Ivan ********

Thanks Ivan. It's the first time I've come across it. Normally I fly with Qatar, never any issues.

What I don't understand is there are clearly more than 4 seats available. Let's say for arguments sake there's 30 - give or take a few here and there...What's happened to the other 26 if we are all bidding up until 3 hours before the flight....There was no option from the beginning to book business so I don't believe those seats have been booked and taken.

We'll see what happens....

@Blaise ***

Etihad out of MAN to BKK on NYE - I think about 13:00 departure. I've bid £500 extra for each leg, on top of £450 economy....

If they reject my bids I'll perhaps try again at the airport. If it just an automated system that does this then hopefully there will be seats left - at a reasonable price.