Etihad price gouging - beware super strict rules on baggage and misleading advertising

vpdbac

TL:DR. Etihad are charging me £416 for me to add a suitcase to my booking. £76 more than my ticket cost me!

I bought two flights LHR-AUH for March 2026. I didn't know what bags I needed but the price was good so I grabbed the tickets for us figuring I could add a suitcase later if I needed to. The website advertises a 65% discount if bags were bought online.

Flights were £340 ($458) return, direct.

I've tried to add a suitcase today online and the cost of one 25kg bag return is £416.70.

If this is indeed with the 65% discount that would make the regular price to be £1190 !!

It would be cheaper for me to buy a new flight.

I've since checked the cost with them on the phone and they confirm it will cost me £416.70 due to the economy class ticket I bought at the time.

For me this is price gouging. The person on the phone tried to argue that it wasn't but I include the wikipedia definition of price gouging at the bottom.

I'm so down about this whole thing and I don't know how to make this situation better. Please don't make the same mistake I did.

1 Don't use Etihad. or if you do, be aware of their very strict rules.

2 Suggestions for solutions? How do I negotiate with Etihad?

3. How about wearable luggage? Was thinking maybe an EZY COAT? But open to other suggestions too.

thanks

PS Wikipedia definition: "Price gouging is a pejorative term for the practice of increasing the prices of goods, services, or commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair by some. Price gouging is considered by some to be exploitative and unethical and by others to be a simple result of supply and demand."

MeteredOut

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

oldernonethewiser

vpdbac said:

TL:DR. Etihad are charging me £416 for me to add a suitcase to my booking. £76 more than my ticket cost me!

I bought two flights LHR-AUH for March 2026. I didn't know what bags I needed but the price was good so I grabbed the tickets for us figuring I could add a suitcase later if I needed to. The website advertises a 65% discount if bags were bought online.

Flights were £340 ($458) return, direct.

I've tried to add a suitcase today online and the cost of one 25kg bag return is £416.70.

If this is indeed with the 65% discount that would make the regular price to be £1190 !!

It would be cheaper for me to buy a new flight.

I've since checked the cost with them on the phone and they confirm it will cost me £416.70 due to the economy class ticket I bought at the time.

For me this is price gouging. The person on the phone tried to argue that it wasn't but I include the wikipedia definition of price gouging at the bottom.

I'm so down about this whole thing and I don't know how to make this situation better. Please don't make the same mistake I did.

1 Don't use Etihad. or if you do, be aware of their very strict rules.

2 Suggestions for solutions? How do I negotiate with Etihad?

3. How about wearable luggage? Was thinking maybe an EZY COAT? But open to other suggestions too.

thanks

PS Wikipedia definition: "Price gouging is a pejorative term for the practice of increasing the prices of goods, services, or commodities to a level much higher than is considered reasonable or fair by some. Price gouging is considered by some to be exploitative and unethical and by others to be a simple result of supply and demand."

Unfortunately it doesn't advertise a 65% discount.

Very annoying but it is a well used technique across many businesses.

vpdbac

MeteredOut said:

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

I have to agree with the OP when they write "this feels like a trap". 

I did not book directly with Etihad this time. TravelTrolley had strong ratings and were significantly cheaper. They have washed their hands of the whole thing.

MeteredOut

vpdbac said:

MeteredOut said:

The website does not advertise a 65% discount. It advertises a "up to 65%" (my bolding) discount. Very poor form, but they'll continue to do it while people fall for what is one of the oldest marketing gimmicks in the world (but many do, and not just with airlines).

See here for what happens if you wait till the airport (though this was booked via Expedia):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6602010/etihad-charged-me-1600-at-the-desk-to-take-3-suitcases-to-australia-how-can-i-get-my-money-back/p1

Did you book direct with Etihad?

Whether anyone accepts it is price gauging or not will not change the outcome I'm afraid.

I have to agree with the OP when they write "this feels like a trap". 

I did not book directly with Etihad this time. TravelTrolley had strong ratings and were significantly cheaper. They have washed their hands of the whole thing.

So a very similar case to the one I linked. They are significantly cheaper because they do not provide the same sort of customer service as booking directly with the airline. And if the "strong ratings" are trust pilot, I'd not hold any sway for that.

Other than learning for the future, I can't see how you're going to get anything out of this experience.

saajan_12

Discounts and labelling as price gouging is all irrelevant as you didn't have a confirmed price (pre discount). You bought a certain ticket with no committment on the price of bags. They were under no obligation to offer bags as an add on after the fact, what if they had no space left? 

If you weren't sure of bags you could have (A) paid for a bag anyway to secure the price and taken the risk that you didn't need it, or (B) not paid for bags and taken the risk that you did need one. Option A risks a confirmed £x price option B risks an unknown £XXX amount. You chose A, which is perfectly valid if that was more likely but that doesnt' make it the airline's fault. 

martindow

At that price, maybe you should consider travelling light.  You can get clothes washed and ironed as needed or possiblyy buy a few things when you are there and then decide what to leave behind. You would probably spend a lot less than £416.

user1977

vpdbac said:

Flights were £340 ($458) return, direct.

I've tried to add a suitcase today online and the cost of one 25kg bag return is £416.70.

If this is indeed with the 65% discount that would make the regular price to be £1190 !!

It would be cheaper for me to buy a new flight.

Or offer somebody a free trip as long as they bring your case with them...

Ayr_Rage

There was a similar topic with either Etihad or Qatar a while ago.

You have to be very careful and check WHY the fare is so cheap, often it is because it includes a very small baggage allowance, no changes or refunds.

To be a MSE you need to read that small print.

zedonk

martindow said:

At that price, maybe you should consider travelling light.  You can get clothes washed and ironed as needed or possiblyy buy a few things when you are there and then decide what to leave behind. You would probably spend a lot less than £416.

This would be my suggestion too. Think outside the box and don't give the airline the satisfaction.

ellenvan

I agree £416 buys enough clothes and does not give profit to the airline.
Personally I would wear enough to get me through the first day or two, then shop.
Donate the clothes before you leave.
Are you allowed any hand luggage?