To be competitive with the other Middle-Eastern carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways, Etihad, which is on the upswing once again, has launched a new stopover programme for those transiting through Abu Dhabi. Let’s have a look at what is on offer.
Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Free Stopover
In line with the rest of the Middle-Eastern carriers, Etihad has now reintroduced their stopover programme, which offers a hotel stay when you are passing through Abu Dhabi.
Etihad’s stopover hotel programme is available to those who plan a connection of at least 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, enroute to another destination. That means, if you are flying, Mumbai – Abu Dhabi – Paris, for instance, you will be eligible for the stopover programme, but not if your eventual destination is Abu Dhabi itself. You need to be flying in and out of Abu Dhabi on Etihad on the same PNR.
You are eligible for up to two nights of free hotel accomodation, and you can choose from a variety of hotels. All of the hotels on offer are 3- and 4-Star hotels. One 5-Star is also on offer, but never shows up in the booking flow. Here is the list of hotels on offer.
You can also book a 3- or 4- night hotel stay, which is where the third/fourth night becomes chargeable. This is the only case where the 5-star hotels show up. The premium stopover also includes a buffet breakfast.
Your class of service does not matter, and also it does not matter if your tickets are booked on cash or on Etihad Guest miles, as long as the ticket is issued by Etihad itself via Etihad’s call centre or on Etihad.com. That means tickets issued by partner carriers such as American Airlines won’t count. The maximum occupancy in a hotel room is for up to 2 adults and 1 child below 11 years of age utilizing existing bedding.
To be eligible to claim the free hotel stay, you need to book your ticket at least three days in advance, and need to travel roundtrip with Etihad. Although, to set the record straight, you are eligible for a complimentary stopover in only one direction. Your stopover hotel booking can be requested during the booking process, or anytime as long as it is 72 hours prior to departure.
Rooms are subject to availability, and some blackout dates apply, which include the Energy Conference, the F1 race in Abu Dhabi, and the holiday season.
How to book your stopover?
The best way to book your Etihad stopover is during the flight booking process itself. The next best is to book via email after booking, as long as it is 3 working days out, at least. You need to email abudhabistopover@etihad.com. Here are the options as they turn up when you try booking a ticket on Etihad.com.
There is a USD 9.99 reservation fee for planning a stopover. Also, meals are not included as a part of the stopover. What’s room for improvement is that the hotel programme does not have meals included as a part of the stopover, and the hotel options are the same across the board. So, no luxury hotels for First Class travellers, for instance.
Bottomline
Etihad has launched a new stopover hotel programme, offering a complimentary hotel room when you are flying through Abu Dhabi and have at least 24 hours in Abu Dhabi. You need to book your ticket and stopover at least 3 working days prior.
What do you think of Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover?
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