Middle Eastern airlines are known for their stopover programmes, providing an incentive for transit passengers to spend a day or two at the transit city and explore. We have seen Oman Air run a stopover program, Etihad Airways offer a stopover programme, including a Premium and Residence stopover programme in 2017, Qatar Airways is also running a stopover program and so-on. Turkish recently got started on a stopover programme too, where they even offer a night cruise of the Bosphorus, or you can stay for two nights.  But this one is about the eight months long Etihad Abu Dhabi Free Stopover programme.

Etihad Airways is currently offering a free two nights stopover programme. Passengers travelling on Etihad Airways can avail this offer by booking a multi-city journey with a minimum 24-hour transit in Abu Dhabi. Under this offer, eligible passengers can book a two nights stay at one of the 20 hotels under this program.

The promotion is irrespective of booking class. However, it is not valid for frequent flyer redemption bookings, award upgrades or cash plus miles promotions. The offer was initially launched for the lean season, however, later extended. For now, the offer can be booked till December 1, 2019, for stays up to December 31, 2019.

The maximum value one can get out of this program is by booking the Ritz Carlton, Abu Dhabi or the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers. I would recommend you to check which hotels are available during your preferred transit dates before booking flight tickets.

It looks simple and easy to take advantage of the program. According to Etihad, you first need to book a multi-city journey. Then you need to select the hotel from the program website and confirm the stay by adding your flight details, credit card details and so-on. After confirming the hotel bookings, Etihad will mail you the free hotel voucher.

I have listed a few essential terms and conditions. You can read all the terms and conditions here.

1. The “Free Stopover” program is available to guests from all origins on the Etihad global network when transiting via Abu Dhabi to any destination on the Etihad global or EAP network. The offer is only available for transiting guests with a minimum stay of 24 hours in Abu Dhabi.
2. The Economy “Free Stopover” program is only valid for bookings paid and confirmed Online only – no reservations will be accepted via email or the Etihad Call Centers
3. The stopover conditions of the applicable fare of your ticket will apply, including additional charges for adding a stopover plus any applicable taxes. Please read the terms and conditions on your ticket carefully.
4. The offer is valid for bookings made in any Fare Choice within any Class on Etihad Airways, except for frequent flyer redemption bookings, award upgrades or cash plus miles promotions.
5. The offer is valid for travel and hotel accommodation from the 20 April 2019 – 31 December 2019, excluding Blackout dates during major events and conferences. Please check availability online at the time of booking.
6. One way ticket journeys which include transit in Abu Dhabi more than 24 hours will be eligible to book the stopover promotion.
7. If a booking includes multiple booking classes (e.g. partly in First Class and partly in Business Class), the offer will be based on the booking class on the longer flight sector.
8. For hotel bookings in Abu Dhabi, an additional fee of AED 15 per room/ night is applicable and has to be paid directly by the guest at the hotel.

Etihad’s two-night free stopover is indeed a good way to visit Abu Dhabi if you haven’t already. Also, U.A.E. offers a free 48 hours transit visa for passengers travelling through Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Have you heard of the Etihad two night free Abu Dhabi stopover programme, or taken benefit from it before??

www.EtihadAirways.com