If you're planning a long-haul flight, consider breaking up your journey with a stopover in the UAE's capital: Abu Dhabi is offering free hotel accommodation for travelers who stay for a day or more to explore the city. However, this offer is exclusively available to passengers flying with Etihad Airways, the national carrier. Travelers can choose from a selection of three- to four-star hotels. Whether you're a family looking to enjoy thrilling rides at Warner Bros World or Ferrari World, or a solo traveler eager to explore art at the Louvre Abu Dhabi or the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can find a hotel near your desired attractions.
Here's a guide to Etihad Airways' free Abu Dhabi stopover program:
Eligibility: You must have a confirmed flight ticket with Etihad Airways and a minimum layover of 24 hours in Abu Dhabi. The offer is only valid for round-trip tickets, with both outbound and inbound flights on the same ticket. The free accommodation can be used either on your outbound or inbound journey, but only once. Note: This offer is not available for guests flying to or from Oman.
How to Book: When booking a flight on Etihad's website (etihad.com), you can 'add a stopover' and 'select a complimentary hotel' during the booking process. If you've already booked your flight and missed this option, visit etihad.com/manage or etihad.com/en/abu-dhabi/stopover, enter your flight details, and follow the instructions. If your flight was booked through the contact center, call or chat with Etihad to book the hotel. The hotel stay must be booked at least three days before your flight to Abu Dhabi. Ensure you check your visa eligibility and arrange a UAE visa if needed.
What You'll Get: A free stay of up to two nights at a three or four-star hotel, with 24/7 check-in and check-out flexibility. You'll also enjoy discounts at various city attractions and dining experiences by showing your Etihad boarding pass.
What's Not Included: Transfers to and from the hotel, breakfast and other meals, incidental charges like minibar consumption, room service, and access to additional amenities not included in the room rate.
Other Rules: The offer is not available on certain peak travel dates. Hotel check-in dates must match your flight's arrival date in Abu Dhabi. Each stopover night is limited to 24 hours, with any extra hours or late check-out fees charged by the hotel. The maximum number of stopover nights is four, with free accommodation limited to two nights. The maximum occupancy in a hotel room is for up to two adults and one child under 11 years old. Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A nominal fee applies for all bookings that select the 'Abu Dhabi Stopover' option on the website. A tourism fee of Dh15 per night should be paid at the hotel. Upon check-in, present your valid Etihad Airways boarding pass and the hotel booking confirmation received from Etihad Holidays. The name on the hotel booking should match the name on the boarding pass.
