The major Gulf carriers have among the highest percentage of international transit passengers of any airlines in the world. After all, their business models revolve around using their central locations to connect some of the most densely populated parts of the world.
These government owned airlines are also about putting their respective countries on the map, so ideally they want you to actually visit as well. One has to wonder where Doha would be without Qatar Airways, or where Dubai would be without Emirates.
As a result, the major Gulf carriers largely have stopover programs, whereby you can score a free hotel stay if you choose to have an extended stopover at the carrier’s hub. Carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, etc., all have such programs.
Historically Etihad Airways hasn’t consistently offered such a program, but that has changed, as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier has formally rolled out a free stopover hotel program. However, there are some restrictions associated with this.
In this post:
Basics of Etihad’s stopover hotel program
With Etihad’s stopover hotel program, you can score up to two free nights of hotels in Abu Dhabi when planning an eligible stopover in the city. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of, so let’s go over all of those details.
How long does your stopover have to be?
Etihad’s stopover program is available to those who plan a connection of at least 24 hours in Abu Dhabi, enroute to another destination. So you wouldn’t be eligible for this if Abu Dhabi is your destination, but rather you have to be connecting in Abu Dhabi when traveling between two other countries.
If you have an eligible ticket, you’re entitled to up to two nights of free hotel accommodation, and can choose from several hotels. Note that unfortunately Etihad doesn’t offer free stopover hotels to those who simply have an extended layover, so you need to be in Abu Dhabi for at least 24 hours.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Abu-Dhabi-Airport-Terminal-A-19.jpeg)
Who is eligible for a free stopover hotel?
Etihad’s stopover hotel program is available exclusively to those who are connecting onto and off of Etihad flights, so your flights both arriving in and departing from Abu Dhabi need to be on Etihad. You also need to book your ticket at least three days in advance, and need to be traveling roundtrip (though you can only get a complimentary stopover in one direction). It doesn’t matter what class of service you’re traveling in.
Note that rooms are subject to availability, and a limited number of blackout dates apply, including for travel around F1 Abu Dhabi, Christmas, New Year’s, etc.
It’s fine if you book your ticket with Etihad Guest miles. However, the ticket must also be issued by Etihad, so tickets issued through partner airlines wouldn’t be eligible. You can either request a stopover hotel during the booking process, or if you have an eligible itinerary, you can also request it after booking, at least 72 hours prior to departure.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Etihad-A350-Business-Class-4.jpeg)
Which stopover hotels does Etihad use?
There aren’t specific hotels that are guaranteed for passengers using Etihad’s stopover program. The airline generally promises three and four star hotels, regardless of the cabin you’re flying, so definitely manage your expectations.
For example, doing a sample search, I see the option of choosing from an Aloft or two Premier Inn properties, among others.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/auh-stopover-hotel-1.jpg)
Note that while the stopover is “free,” you are on the hook for a 15 AED daily tourism fee that’s levied on hotel rooms. There’s also a $9.99 reservation fee for planning a stopover, so it’s not truly totally free. Furthermore, meals (and not even breakfast) aren’t included, at least as a standard.
How do you book Etihad’s stopover hotels?
The easiest way to book an Etihad stopover hotel is during the initial flight booking process. When you go to book your flight, simply check the “Abu Dhabi stopover” box, and you’ll be able to choose how many nights you want to spend in Abu Dhabi.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ey-stopover-hotel-1-1.jpg)
Then when you go through the booking process, you’ll have the choice of selecting the stopover hotel that you’d like.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ey-stopover-hotel-2.jpg)
It’s that simple, as you should receive a confirmation immediately. Alternatively, if you already have an itinerary confirmed, follow this link, and you’ll be able to book your stopover hotel by entering your name and confirmation number.
![](https://cdn.onemileatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ey-stopover-hotel-5.jpg)
My take on Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover program
I’m happy to see that Etihad has finally formalized a free stopover program, as it’s something that competing airlines have offered for some time. Now, in fairness, this isn’t the most generous such program out there:
- Etihad doesn’t have a transit hotel program, for those who have an extended layover of under 24 hours
- Etihad doesn’t include meals and transport for those with a stopover hotel, unlike Emirates
- Etihad doesn’t offer luxury hotels for first and business class passengers
So this is better than nothing, but hardly the most exciting thing out there. Being able to break up a long haul journey with a night or two stopover can make a big difference in terms of arriving well rested, not to mention it can be fun. Abu Dhabi is absolutely worth seeing for a day or two.
One other consideration is that Abu Dhabi has some reasonably priced luxury hotels, and with programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and Virtuoso, you can also score big value-add perks on short stays.
Bottom line
Etihad offers a stopover hotel program, whereby those who plan a stopover of at least 24 hours in Abu Dhabi can take advantage of up to two free nights in a hotel. Don’t expect the most luxurious hotels in the world, but this is still potentially a great opportunity, especially since the airline didn’t previously offer this.
What do you make of Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover hotel program?
Hi
We are about to book travel thru Etihad and make use of free hotel stays.
Need a clarification whether a ticket has to be booked thru Etihad website only or
when booked through travel agent or agencies is also eligible.
Appreciate an immediate response
It has to be booked via Etihad airline only
It's not clear, but do you have to book on Etihad's website? i.e. can you book a ticket through an online agent and then subsequently claim the 2 night's free hotel?
A bit off topic but Do you know if those "economy sofa" ticket where people buy entire row for a poor man flat bed still exist? I know China Airline used to do Family couch but seem like they discontinue them :(
The hotel choices are very underwhelming, and requiring a round trip ticket on Etihad stock makes it very restrictive. Pretty bad even compared to airlines like Ethiopia where they allow free hotel just over 8 hours and one ways and other airline stocks.
I am not sure if I got it correctly but it seems like there is no restriction on flight schedule? Both qr and tk offer a free hotels only if the next available schedule flight is longer than certain hours but ey offers a free hotel even if the passenger decides to stay in Abu Dhabi without taking the next available scheduled flight?
No, you got it wrong.
This is for a stopover not transit.
READ AGAIN.
It literally says stopover in the name.
Crazy how pro ME3 Ben is!
@ Vinay -- Because I wrote about a hotel stopover program, or...?
or because a certain south Asian airline has nothing noteworthy besides a passenger peeing.
Frankly, not much value if you ask me. The hotels offered typically trade around USD 80-90, unless during events. This the tourist levy and in many properties also breakfast. Taking into consideration the tourist levy, EY booking fee and breakfast, this reduces the net value of the benefit to about USD 30-40. If you calculate points you earn on cash rates, even less …
This program doesn’t exist anymore. It’s still advertised as a “Free” stopover but they changed the T&Cs in mid-March. It’s only discounted stays now. This applies to both the budget category and premium category. There’s also nothing free when they charge you a $10 “stopover fee” on top of increased taxes. Etihad needs to stop this sham.
@ Doug -- It was just reintroduced as of a few days ago, unless I'm missing something. See here:
https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-airways-and-dct-abu-dhabi-partner-to-launch-free-abu-dhabi-stopover-stays
I think more places should have this kind of program. It is a cheap way to have a quick stop and visit to another place. This said, no surprise no luxury hotels are on the list and a 40% discount may be a better deal than staying at the lower hotels.
This worked out extremely well for me and a friend on our way to Delhi right before the pandemic in January 2020.
Etihad gave very clear and simple instructions on how to book the ticket in order to be eligible for the free two-night stopover. We chose the TRYP by Wyndham Abu Dhabi City Center. Clean, comfortable rooms (although that air conditioner was POWERFUL) and it was near a lot of things. Super-easy walk...
This worked out extremely well for me and a friend on our way to Delhi right before the pandemic in January 2020.
Etihad gave very clear and simple instructions on how to book the ticket in order to be eligible for the free two-night stopover. We chose the TRYP by Wyndham Abu Dhabi City Center. Clean, comfortable rooms (although that air conditioner was POWERFUL) and it was near a lot of things. Super-easy walk to the corniche, the Founder's Memorial, Emirates Palace, Emirates Heritage Village... we saw a lot.
We arrived in Abu Dhabi from New York on a Sunday at 7:45pm, enough time for check-in and dinner, then sleep. On the Monday, we decided to walk to the bus station and take a day trip to Dubai. Spent the day there and came back to Abu Dhabi to sleep. On the Tuesday, we went to Yas Island, visited Yas Mall, Ferrari World and ate at Al Fanar (really good Emirati restaurant, in my opinion) and we headed to the airport around 7:30pm for our 9:45pm flight to Delhi.
It was a really nice introduction trip to the Middle East (neither of us had ever been before) and I think I'd do something similar if my travels take me beyond the region and the flight schedule fits.
Hello, we are in process of booking now, is this hotel near the Grand Mosque and also how did the bus work going to Dubia? Name, price, stops? Thanks for any help.
I had a hotel provided as part of their Transit Connect program (hotels for layovers over 8-24hrs) and got the premier inn at AUH when they were still operating out of T3 (worked out perfectly as was terminal connected for a short overnight but quite a budget hotel).
The program seems to have ended since the move to Terminal A. I hope it comes back soon given Emirates has Dubai Connect which is the same program.
A free hotel is like free beer. Its hard to say NO. Yes, i am cheap that way.
But for longer stays the 40% option sounds better.
@Ben I have trip via AUH later in the year and was sent details of the free stop over option or I could go “premium” and book 4/5* hotels with 40% discount including breakfast.
https://www.etihad.com/en/abu-dhabi/stopover
Premium Hotels where guests can enjoy a 40% discount include:
Anantara Easter Mangroves
Andaz Capital Gate
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott WTC Abu Dhabi
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Fairmont Bab al Bahr
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan (Dry Hotel)
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Novotel Al Bustan
Park Hyatt Abu...
Premium Hotels where guests can enjoy a 40% discount include:
Anantara Easter Mangroves
Andaz Capital Gate
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott WTC Abu Dhabi
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi
Fairmont Bab al Bahr
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi
InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan (Dry Hotel)
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Novotel Al Bustan
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
Park Rotana Abu Dhabi
Radisson Blu Yas Island Hotel
Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villa
Shangri La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa
Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri
Yas Island Rotana
OMG, this program is totally a scam! I haven’t seen someone was not complaining about it. Either you cannot book it or the date is not available.
I was able to book it easily on the website. The hotel itself otherwise sucks. I got two night at the premier inn at AUH, and I left after a few hours and choose to stay in Andaz.
The new ad strategy has literally made this website impossible to use. Using chrome 123.0.6312.123.
I am avoiding until its addressed.
If i'm flying first class I'd rather spend the extended time in the F lounge over these hotel options that resemble what US domestic carriers give as free comps for flight delays/cancellations (which I'll kick in my amex travel delay coverage to get "better" options)
@ Ben - This line is confusing, I think you meant "aren't"
"Furthermore, meals (and not even breakfast) are included, at least as a standard"
Also, how long should a person stay in Abu Dhabi for their first time. Is 3-4 days too much?
@ JB -- You're indeed correct, thank you! Fixed. Yes, I think you could easily spend three or four days in Abu Dhabi without getting bored, especially if you're jet lagged and coming off a long haul flight. I think you can hit the city's biggest sites in a couple of days, but there's also lots of good dining, opportunities to lounge at the beach and pool, etc. So I don't think that's too long at all.
I love the idea, and having spent a bunch of time in Abu Dhabi I enthusiastically recommend it for a few days' visit in transit. That said, these hotels arent great. If one has budget for it, I recommend definitely spending some money on one of the many nice hotels in Abu Dhabi, most of which are really reasonably priced.