How to Get a Two Nights Free Etihad Stopover in Abu Dhabi

ByNishi V Updated on
Sheikh Zayed mosque abu dhabi

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Planning a long-haul trip and want to turn your layover into a mini trip? With the Etihad stopover in Abu Dhabi, you can enjoy a free two-night hotel stay and experience the UAE’s capital at no extra cost. We did just that on our way to the Philippines, taking advantage of two nights at a fabulous and luxurious 4 star hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways ’ stopover program is designed to help you break up your journey while discovering Abu Dhabi’s world-class attractions, from iconic architecture to desert adventures and pristine beaches.

The offer consists of (a maximum of) two free nights of hotel stay in Abu Dhabi for anyone booking flights to and from all Etihad destinations via Abu Dhabi. So if for example, you are booking flights to Manila, Philippines with Etihad, there is a stopover in Abu Dhabi for at least 2 hours and 20 minutes regardless. This is exactly what we did, so we chose to extend our stopover for 2 nights to take advantage of this offer and explore Abu Dhabi.

Etihad have 3 offers to choose from; this free two night stopover, 40% off at premium four and five star (participating) hotels in Abu Dhabi or a complimentary hotel near the airport if your flight connection time in Abu Dhabi is between 10 and 24 hours. You can read more about their offers here.

How To Book Your Free Etihad Stopover in Abu Dhabi

To book your free stopover package, first you need to book a multi-city flight with Etihad; either in Economy, Business or First class, connecting through Abu Dhabi. Then you select your stopover package based on how long you’re stopping in Abu Dhabi for – note that only (a maximum of) 2 nights are free. After this, you can check the availability of the hotels.

The following three and four-star hotels are the ones you can choose from on your stopover:

We researched them all individually and chose to stay at Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, which is a 4 star beachfront hotel, part of the Shangri-La group. I should add that they weren’t all available on our chosen dates, but from what we had to chose from, this one was the highest rated on TripAdvisor and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

It’s unclear whether we were booked a superior room through the Etihad booking, or if we were upgraded by reception staff on arrival – however, this meant that we were part of the Traders Club. The privileges of this include complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapés! A much appreciated and pleasant surprise. We arrived at 8am and were able to check-in to our room at 9am which was even more appreciated after a red-eye flight.

Prior to our visit, we joined the Shangri-La Circle loyalty scheme which gives us discounts at the restaurants in the hotel. We weren’t planning to take advantage of this, but ended up having a late dinner on our last night due to a late flight and we got 25% off our bill! It’s very useful to have as I believe it’s valid at any of their establishments within the group. You can read about some more money saving travel tips here.

It doesn’t state how long this deal is on for on their website, but it has been running since June 2022 and I know they often bring this deal back frequently, so it is worth checking before you book.

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how to get two nights free etihad stopover in abu dhabi
How to Get a Two Nights Free Etihad Stopover in Abu Dhabi

My Experience Flying With Etihad

Being amongst the top airlines in the world, I had high expectations for my first time flying with Etihad Airways . It wasn’t bad at all, but equally, it didn’t feel premium in any way.

The staff were lovely throughout, which always makes for a more pleasant experience. Aside from having the softest, fluffiest blanket I have ever been given on a plane (it really was lovely), there is nothing else I can think of that made the experience stand out in any way.. It was simply okay!

Would I fly with them again? Yes, of course!

Have you flown with Etihad Airways before?

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Nishi is an award-winning UK travel writer and content creator with a love for cultural travel, soft adventure and destinations beyond the obvious. After exploring 50+ countries across four continents, she has a particular soft spot for Asia. She shares thoughtfully curated travel guides and itineraries.

From boutique hotel stays and scuba diving adventures to vegetarian foodie finds and detailed itineraries, Nishi helps over 40,000 people per month plan meaningful trips that feel memorable.