@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.

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

Yeah, funnily enough the second leg to BKK via Phuket seems to be OK. I'll update once I'm boarded. Probably from 48E, with legs up under my chin, elbows on my chest and a screaming baby behind me. 🤣🤣🤣

@Ray **********

Economy only, and even their extra legroom seats aren't available to buy or upgrade off bat. Again, have to bid. I've never come across this before.

All seems a bit fishy to me...

We'll see, may come back to bite me in the arse. I'm not budging with my bids. If there's such a demand and people are willing to pay way over the odds fair enough.