Etihad Airways is offering first and business class passengers complimentary stays when stopping over in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
The offer only applies to return tickets booked with the carrier for travel between now and August 31, 2011.
Customers will have a choice of which hotel they stay at. In Abu Dhabi, the list includes Yas Hotel, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza Yas Island and Park Rotana Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, on offer are The Pullman – Mall of Emirates, Fairmont Dubai, Novotel World Trade Centre, Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers and the Rose Rayhaan by Rotana.
The number of complimentary nights will be determined by where the passenger is coming from and the class of travel.
Etihad Airways has divided up its network into Zones A and B. Zone A consists of destinations in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, while Zone B consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Middle East.
Those from Zone A, travelling on Diamond first class, will be entitled to three nights free accommodation, while Pearl business class passengers will receive two free nights.
Those from Zone B, flying Diamond first class for long-haul flights or business class for short-haul flights will receive a two-night stay while those travelling business class for long-haul will receive one free night.
All free nights include breakfast and limousine transfers. The offer does not apply to Etihad Guest mile reward tickets.
To redeem the offer, passengers will need to purchase air tickets and fill in a dedicated form available at travel agents and online. Etihad Airways will then contact the passenger within 48 hours to book the complimentary stay.
Upon check in, guests will need to present their Etihad Airways boarding passes and booking confirmation.
In another development, the carrier has announced it will increase flights to the Philippines to 14 weekly from the current 12. This followed a visit this week of Etihad chief executive James Hogan with Philippine president Benigno S Aquino III. Hogan told the Philippine leader of the airline's interest to bring more visitors from Europe and the Middle East to the country.
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Alisha Haridasani
