The Points Guy Reviews Etihad's A380 Residence

Brian Kelly, The Points Guy, reviewed his experience flying Etihad's Residence suite from New York JFK to Abu Dhabi. See the full review here: thepointsguy.com/2015/12/etihad-a380-the-residence-review/ Pack your bags: In TPGtv, travel expert and founder of ThePointsGuy.com Brian Kelly showcases the extraordinary experiences made possible by maximizing frequent flyer miles and credit card points. The web-series follows Kelly as he journeys to far-reaching destinations around the globe traveling in style for a fraction of the cost. The first season of ten episodes sees Kelly take a once in a lifetime odyssey around Africa. Traveling from Ghana and Rwanda to South Africa and Doha, he discovers remarkable people and uncommon travel experiences while taking viewers inside the luxury hotel and resort accommodations that his points and mileage strategies secure.
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[@TheJamcorry]

Apparently the bag comes on its own separate plane as well!

[@Suldok]

+TheJamcorry LOL

[@QAnyui]

seats and bonnet, each sold separately.

[@georgeking7438]

+TheJamcorry Literally made me laugh out loud

[@fraser_livingston]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 this made my dau

[@MeeMoo4141]

+TheJamcorry LOOOOOL

[@MyselfTheThird]

"Two cars: One for the bags, and one for me." Little did he know the plane ride would be similarly done.

[@TheUnsuper]

ahhaha they forgot your bag

[@panda6548]

+TheUnsuper I'd be getting that full refund.

[@kewkabe]

+TheUnsuper Baggage check-in costs $15,000 more.

[@lozinja]

+footytang Fucking lol!

[@spoofer20]

+TheUnsuper 32 000 usd and they cant even load his fucking bag. I guess economy isnt so bad after all

[@andfiker]

+spoofer20 Bright side is that he can simply splurge and buy a whole bunch of expensive items and clothing at the airport, and just by keeping his receipt they will have to redeem every last cent. That's a plus.

[@cryptsys]

$32,000 and they still manage to forget your luggage.

[@archstanton8421]

I am astonished that Etihad didn't put his bag on the plane. 32 THOUSAND DOLLARS and they didn't take his bag?!

[@cybermike8732]

+Arch Stanton The bags get their own private plane each u know.

[@andrew9644]

would've asked for the ticket for free

[@Ghosted760]

For 32k I'm expecting a hot sleep-in stewardess.

[@yahya2231]

ghosted760 then you make a son.....

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

a hot stewardess to fuck too?

[@cenacobra]

All i did was convert 32000 dollars into INDIAN CURRENCY and it came to Rs 20,80,000 which is the worth of the house i live in

[@emil5519]

The keyboard Player u poor ?

[@KR-sg3qd]

+Swag Hunden, things are a lot cheaper in India

[@kirenjohn]

But 20lakh is still very cheap even by Indian standards.

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

where does your house fly from and to where?

[@moneymaker2024]

GoldenSnow with 20 lakh you can do business in india it’s not cheap and a poor person doesn’t have 20 lakh in india

[@jamesp3444]

As a RESIDENT you should be able to just take a bag from one of the peons back in steerage! “ I choose the bag of seat 3A”. “ Bring it to me at ONCE!”

[@omararif8890]

The vacation is done in the plane

[@JoelWilliams610]

THEY FORGOT YOUR BAG???

[@gfrewqpoiu]

+Joel Williams they did, but he got provided with armani clothes from dubai and they donated a Flight to charity on his request

[@frederickhitchcock7983]

+gfrewqpoiu Nice!

[@bananareem552]

+gfححكحrewqpoiu @ قبيي س '

[@arlondon2434]

LOL

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

I can't afford a crappy taxi ride to the next block, but I can live vicariously through videos like this.

[@VibeMD]

+Guywithcrazyideas Why do you need a taxi ride just to go to the next block? :3

[@TheJKE]

+Deepak Sharma I think the idea is that he can't even afford one block, so forgot about a taxi ride that actually makes sense.

[@VibeMD]

James Kephart A block must be like 1 KM away. Taxis (even the crappy ones) charge you for the first 5-10 KMs, as the base fare, depending on where you live. Get it?

[@TheJKE]

+Deepak Sharma I checked his google plus page. He lives in Iowa, so it would be miles not kilometers. I checked taxi rates in Des Moines, IA, and it looks like they charge a start fee of about $2, then a per mile fee of $1.86, and it says nothing about a minimum drive distance. Also, it would be weird if he said I can't afford a crappy taxi ride to the next minimum drive distance of the taxi company I use.

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

Deepak Sharma - It's a nice way of saying I'm poor.

[@toology55]

They didn't forget your bag, it just had it's own plane like the with the separate cars.

[@drfiver2]

THEY LEFT HIS FUCKING BAG THOUGH!!!

[@stanley9597]

32k and they forgot the bag. seems like a pretty important thing to forget at such a big price tag

[@WebeoTransportation]

Absolutely perfect. This is EXTREME nitpicking, but they should have used a 750Li in NYC, which is seen as the "standard" 7 series in USA. A Bentley or Rolls Royce would be nice as well, considering what residence fliers already likely own.

[@Whenitraveltheworld]

Cool video. Nice and detailed.

[@timvuong8752]

Thanks for your video Ryan!!!! very nice

[@andyvale2467]

Why do the bags need their own car? That's just a waste! It's not even luxury, it doesn't add anything to the experience... and now they've not got his bag on the plane. Forget caviar and a shower, I at least want my luggage to arrive with me! But everything else looked nice.

[@NeWx89]

+Andy Vale Yes, what's next. A helicopter ride to the airport. :I

[@SomethingSeemsOff]

+Andy Vale ahhh maybe one day you'll learn

[@goat185]

+Andy Vale It does add a backup car if one has a problem, puncture, etc.

[@lozinja]

+Andy Vale Obviously so that the bags can get seperated and lost.

[@dounyamonty]

+Ernest Miller makes sense. some woman with money don't travel lightly.

[@makerKID5]

You can sell anything to rich people. (Not this guy specifically just in general - he probably used his points for this flight). Obviously if they put your bags in a separate cars they won't remember the bags. Sales Person: "Hey see this organic elephant shit? it costs €140,000 and poor folks can't afford it" Rich Guy: "Oh yeah? I'll have 3 please"

[@alaninmcr]

+Mathieu Riesling Too true - the most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak, is made with beans that have been shit out by civets :-D

[@makerKID5]

alaninmcr Apparently that gives it a superior taste, I've read about it. Have you seen the fishes the caviar comes from? I heard caviar tastes like salt water and tuffles taste like feet both are really expensive.

[@alaninmcr]

+Mathieu Riesling To me, caviar tastes sweet/salty/fishy, and I wouldn't choose it over something like a nice well-made guacamole :) I've only had truffles in the south of France, where I thought the truffle shavings ruined a nice omelette. Chocolate truffles are much nicer - and cheaper :)

[@neellie9474]

+Mathieu Riesling This has been tested to be true. People in China pay $10,000 dollars for some fish that's hard to fish out, which is actually bad for your health, and it kills a lot of coworkers/sailors because they're only at the very bottom of the ocean and hard to reach, yet people still flock to buy it. Sometimes, you can even sell them for over $50,000 due to off season, where it's harder to obtain them. The fish has been proven by doctors to be bad for your health, but because it's expensive, they still want it. It's a luxury thing to have it cooked when you have guests over. Shows how much money you have to be able to afford it. Stupid.

[@jamesb118]

@@makerKID5 Cavier is definitely overrates. It’s a classic case of selling identity over utility.

[@medviation]

For those of you saying the Residence is an overkill for you to get to your holiday destination, maybe it's not just about getting to your holiday destination, maybe Etihad Residence IS the holiday destination (or part of it at least).

[@Trektrendy]

Imagine a miles redemption for the Residence. Don't know if anyone has done such a thing to date / possible?

[@joshpickles9022]

They forgot your bag! That is fucking hilarious!

[@ttanizawa901]

Give me thirty two thousand dollars and I'll take you to 6 different countries, we'll party like rock-stars , eat cheap street food, get laid a lot with beautiful women and do whatever the hell we want. Screw Etihad, I'll take you on the vacation you *need* not where you want to go.

[@KanClint]

+Cucha Racha Exactly what I was thinking. Imagine 32k to blow on a trip around southeast Asian, geesh！

[@Zetunez]

+Cucha Racha Would definitely take you up on that offer if I had the spare time and money.

[@Keekoook]

+Cucha Racha This ticket isn't an alternative to a holiday. This ticket is for people who simply cannot spend enough money, no matter how hard they try. People who travel this way, most likely already own their own jet already. They already fuck super models and do whatever the hell they want. This is just how they get from A-B.

[@evan002]

+Cucha Racha What if I gave you 64k?

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

+Cucha Racha For the rare echelon of travelers who would actually pay full price (i.e. not upgrade) for this ticket, $32k is literally pocket change for them.

[@PhilBailey]

I literally just subscribed after seeing this and the episode 12. I need to be on his level. I just got my Chase Freedom, and building credit from good to hopefully excellent within the next 3-6 months. I have so much to learn. This is an abundant life most people only feel is a dream...Well he's living it. Thanks for sharing.

[@swimmingdiscount]

Just booked it, can't wait.

[@ciaranhasson9090]

Everyone saying about the second car for bags - I would imagine its also a contingency in case the first car brakes down.

[@puplover7991]

The guy is just a blogger. He's not rich. He even said that the private room in the terminal was "bigger than his studio apt." This must be an advertisement.

[@mikeprouty9391]

Brian Kelly doesn't work and gets to travel on expensive flights... Wish I had his life with no job skills.

[@RobertOortwijn]

Can someone explain the dislikes? Are people salty of something because this dude has the money?

[@kixx3895]

+Robert Oortwijn Anyone that forgets your bags is a shit service. That's why I disliked.

[@MustafaKhan-hg8lu]

+Robert Oortwijn Dislike trolls. There's people that go around just disliking every video.

[@andfiker]

+kixx Don't frigging dislike the video lmao. The company didn't upload this.

[@EveryTongueShallTell]

+Robert Oortwijn When did people start using salty, last month ago or something? A nice car for your bags, come on man why do you need things to be explained? Do you think everyone is just jealous? You must be really naive, or young.

[@MustafaKhan-hg8lu]

***** what is this comment

[@emilybutler8969]

Oh my goodness, what an amazing video Brian. Looking forward to trying out the apartments someday, but not sure if I'll make it to the Residence. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, it got me all excited to fly somewhere again! I do find it a tiny bit hilarious that your bag didn't make it onto the plane, but hey, it happens! Regards, Emily.

[@Awesomepedia]

I would be 100% unable to enjoy any of this. What a waste.

[@shekeib]

+Sweden Heathen Me too, but you have to look at it as if you were a billionaire, their target market. For example, me and you will probably pick up a quarter if we see it on the ground, but not a penny. So, with that logic, how much money would bill gates have to see lying on the ground for him to pick it up? I've read that it would take something like $50,000 for him to spend the effort to pick it up. So, to the ultra rich, $32,000 doesn't have the same value/impact as it does to us and they'll be able to enjoy their flight, unless they forget their bags.

[@PhalanxR]

$32,000 dollar ticket, still chews with his mouth open.

[@johnnypauls8571]

+PhalanxR That just goes to show that when you're filthy wealthy, it doesn't matter what people think. I mean, look at us, just watching these videos and leaving comments while he's living life!

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

+Johnny Pauls He's a blogger who lives in a studio apartment, what a life.

[@theflyingpenguin6295]

+PhalanxR It's probs cheaper than using a private jet, that's the kind of markert they are going for here. Plus it's branding for the whole airline.

[@jamesb118]

@@theflyingpenguin6295 Not only cheaper than a private jet, but much nicer for the price. A low-mid range private jet will be $5-10k/hour and you will not get a thanksgiving feast, or a bed.

[@Gadgetreview]

I gotta experience this. I've debated hitting up an airline (again) to see what they can hook up for a video. This might be the answer.

[@edss]

of all the things they could have gotten wrong, not loading the bag onto the flight probably tops the list...

[@ukdavepianoman]

Great video. I love Etihad. Business class is amazing. Not tried First on the A380 yet. The Residence is an extraordinary concept. But to forget your luggage...that has to be the biggest blunder ever...

[@ManiacalMichael504]

Reminds me of the United Airlines review I saw once. They did everything right, except at the end when they lost their luggage. LOL!

[@SimHarrison]

does anyone else feel a genuine feeling of unease when they hear that iPhone alarm at the beginning?

[@HayleyAlexis]

beautiful!

[@droxio7280]

you re beautiful ;)

[@thomasdacunha1125]

with competitors you have bigger bathrooms but you also have to share them with everyone else in first class...

[@rick75at]

NICE REPORT, THANX! :-)

[@ilovenct8224]

I can't even afford an economy for 2 people .-.

[@bambang303378]

cool video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesc.7990]

That bed did look good.

[@freddieoliver882]

It actually cost 500 for the ticket but cost 31500 for the bags acomadation

[@allo772]

Great video !!

[@FreeTravelandCreditT]

Great video! Looks like the 90k points was the best use of those AA miles...worth $32k...nice job! I had tickets just in Business Class on Cathy Airlines - cost me 180k miles around trip from Chicago-via Hong Kong - to Australia - and those tickets would have cost $18,000 - some people scoff, but Business Class on 26 hours of flying is GREAT...worth the point spend. Great job on showing us all and telling the truth on the lost bags, that was funny.

[@Svitojus]

You know it is extremely expensive when someone with a name "Rotschild" is just a cameraman.

[@deev3282]

At 1:50 i am curious why you and others choose to board first. Isn't it better to enjoy the wonderful and much more spacious airport private lounge as long as possible?

[@TimmacTR]

So...how did you pay for this? Don't tell me you actually paid for this...

[@DoingYerMum]

+TimmacTR It's called having an exorbitant amount of money

[@TimmacTR]

BiN4RY Well, he still spent his points in that case. Probably he could have gotten many more things with them. So still wasted (unless you're rich)

[@andfiker]

+BiN4RY You lost, just hold your L gracefully.

[@TheAlexk1d]

+BiN4RY i have certainly enjoyed the way Femi B has put you back to your place - the trashcan

[@nntflow7058]

Upgrade using points.

[@sanoiro]

I have experienced some first class flights and some budget ones. I have to admit that although first class has its perks I prefer coach with a regular airline. You meet great people and have fun. Of course, if you do it regularly first class is the obvious choice. You get way too grumpy after your 5-6th flight in less than a week. Finally, if you are not forced due to a tight budget or a group trip stir away from budget airlines. The strong lights stay on during the whole flight (not appropriate according to safety regulations!) and they keep trying to sell you things every 15 minutes. Not to mention the awful airports without any properly behaved staff. Now spending that much for one trip... Well, if you have them spend them I guess.

[@velvet9891]

Here I am thinking that $32,000 would be a down payment for a house where I live, and that's including the land transfer fees and doing some basic renovations....Yikes.

[@gunnarolla]

DEAR GOD

[@scorchedcandy]

They forgot to load your bags!?

[@circlebamboo10000]

Does the airline arrange the car service to pick you up from your home to the airport?

[@nataliatheweirdo]

Its always something with etihad, i watch a first class apartment video and the flight was 3 hours late, then u fly the residence and they forgot your bag!! XD

[@am1frigider]

THEY FORGOT TO LOAD HIS FUCKING BAG . WOW :)))

[@midoriwow2]

omg they forgot the bag

[@pancalogam]

When travelling on first class or business class...by using points...do you still get points on ?

[@imhsn]

Love how you managed to get naked at every opportunity!

[@saynotop2w]

Whom is this service for? The executives buy/rent their own planes. I don't see how they can sell their services.

[@haroldjohnson6314]

That phone alarm clock sound at the beginning gave me PTSD

[@mwendwakitavi]

So i checked the booking page and it says 1 or more can go into the residence to sleep and etc.Does the living area turn into a bed?

[@kaninchen321]

I want to redeem my AA miles and book the Etihad residence class. Do I have to ask for availability in first class in order to get a free seat in the Residence class?

[@brigopro9148]

So, they got an extra car JUST to take his baggage and they even managed to forget to load them on the plane! HAHA very luxurious. For a $32k flight I'd have thought my bags would've been taken care of.

[@starallianceflyer7231]

Wait where do you earn those points?

[@Joseduran86]

Wow that is amazing

[@dphotos007]

Did I hear right they forgot to load this guys bag on the flight? I hope they took him to the nearest shopping mall when the plane landed and they paid for new clothes and a new bag. 32,000 is just to expensive for something like this. I don't think I would ever be able to afford travel like this in my lifetime but I can always dream.

[@tunablepizza9102]

where did you find 2 MILLION POINTS

[@rseski]

How does 90,000 AmEx points equal to that flight?

[@kuldip2310]

What about that lady who met you in lobby??????

[@battlegoose5757]

How much did you drop on tips? Does every guy you meet get a tip? I'd be interested to see a breakdown.

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

+Battle Goose He's not rich dude.

[@spacepopeextremis9746]

$32K airline ticket + They forgot your bag = Speechless

[@gg41r]

Way too flash for me. Just give me a comfy seat....decent grub and a decent sized screen to view and im happy.

[@zacharyaghdaei9283]

Whats the song you played from 0:06 to 0:11

[@briangasser973]

Curious how many people actually pay cash vs burn points. If it is like the BA Concorde, less than a third are paying pax. Doesnt seem like a great return on investment, more like a gimmick.

[@jasonkek]

what hotel was that?

[@portugalfanclub9656]

Visit Portugal, and try the best gastromy in the world...and best airline in europe...

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

+Portugal Fan Club How are the hookers there?

[@portugalfanclub9656]

Hot breziliens and russian fuck here in Portugal with 50€ 1hour...Portuguese female are very proud,very romantic for sleep,but if you try maybe you can fall in love...

[@AgentFuzzy999]

It's honestly not that much. Thousands of people have bought private jets-such as the citation-X- who's personal cabin is much larger, but those cost $23,000,000

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

+AgentFuzzy999 That's a private flight not commercial.

[@gerardotorresdavila1646]

how many times do you have to say you're 6' 7"

[@TonysCorals]

They left his bags in the other car ahhahah this is why one car is better!

[@LosAlyfs]

Great review if you need help with Aeromexico I can help you easily ,!

[@duledusko]

Man, so many bitter people in the comments. I personally can't afford this but I'm not gonna knock those who can. It's a great experience to have.

[@adamapple3006]

I was genuinely triggered by the sound of the iPhone alarm at the beginning of this video. I seriously can't stand it lol 😩 too many bad memories of waking up early associated

[@jfactor05]

Definitely would do this with points, I'd rather keep the 32,000 and spend a couple thousand in Dubai

[@jfactor05]

+Femi B +Femi B true, however like the blogger that ate the dinner with him I have over 90,000 American Airline miles/points, I understand if you missed that, it was a something said quickly in the video.

[@swanseawales1979]

+jfactor05 I don't think she stayed in the residence suite because he invited her for dinner.

[@jfactor05]

+swanseawales1979 yeah she stayed in the "apartment" I was just referring to the flight as a whole.

[@swanseawales1979]

+jfactor05 sorry dude I thought you said that she mentioned in the video that she had booked the same cabin using air miles.

[@Ahuntsicspotter]

Etihad is probably having the best a 380 interior.

[@richhammieqwan2765]

your so lucky!!!

[@SuperSaqer]

6'7" in morning w/ shoes?

[@jakeianmartinez9902]

Bryan I have an important thing to ask may I pm you?

[@dasaini]

$32k???? How much is a private jet charter?

[@derekmmmm]

Ah so they drive your bag to Abu Dhabi???

[@drunkbiscuit]

How many points/miles were earned with this flight purchase?

[@phototristan]

+Marquis Evans He got it free so likely none.

[@drunkbiscuit]

+PHOTOTRISTAN Oh, I thought he said "once in a lifetime splurge"

[@jacksonheydon9174]

+Tyler Haritan He used airline miles...

[@VideoAmericanStyle]

+Femi B It's also possible that he worked out a reduced fare arrangement with the airline in return for this professional-level video of the inaugural flight (he clearly has a crew with him, which I doubt he paid for). ThePointsGuy is a pretty high traffic blog.

[@TheMusketITuckedIt204]

Is that Kevin Love?

[@ProcoreCupSeries]

That plane ticket costs about $0.69 per SECOND!

[@ibrahimusman2653]

You all saying saying that he paid, how did you lot even know, he might've used miles, not everyone on first class pays, there's also a think called miles.

[@random1267]

Ibrahim Usman You aren’t allowed to use miles for The Residence.

[@zehzahl5988]

His bags got their own vehicle so they could drive off separately and steal them...that's why they never got loaded on the plane, lol...

[@AirGuruTravel]

The Residence is really cool :-)

[@edgegaming7026]

He's 6"7

[@TrustPatches]

Did he actually pay for it or did he get some kind of press/review deal?

[@todoroki_4527]

no he paid 32,045 k to be precise

[@empathy21]

Does anyone know the song name? 1:44

[@KrQlle90]

+Sacrif1ce21 Let it Out - Danny McCarthy (Dubstep)

[@kuruptkalhoon6033]

yo this is how the kings traveled back in 1200 AD

[@FriendlyGamingAgar]

U thought that was fat stacks!! You should see what we got phat stacks of mass in agar