How to Get a Free Hotel Stay in UAE with your Transit Visa?

How to get a free hotel stay in Dubai for a long layover?

Travelers flying with Emirates or Etihad Airlines, when faced with extended layovers in the UAE, can avail themselves of free hotel stay and transit visas.

Free Hotel Stay For Abu Dhabi Layovers:

Layover in Abu Dhabi for more than 24 hours

For travelers with layovers in Abu Dhabi lasting more than 24 hours, Etihad offers a free hotel stay at a three-star hotel when you book both your flight and transit visa through their ‘Abu Dhabi Stopover’ service.

To qualify for this free hotel accommodation, ensure you reserve this service at least three days prior to your arrival and obtain a transit visa processed by Etihad. This provision enables transit travelers to enjoy a no-cost stay for a maximum of two nights.

Available Hotels for Free Stay: Upon securing your reservation, you have the flexibility to select your stay from the following hotels, depending on their availability:

• Aloft Abu Dhabi
• Centro Al Manhal
• City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel
• Golden Tulip Abu Dhabi Downtown
• Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel
• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre Hotel
• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel
• Southern Sun Abu Dhabi
• Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri

However, it’s essential to be aware that any additional expenses during your stay, including meals and other amenities, will be your responsibility.

How to Avail the Service:

1. Initiate the process by reserving a multi-city flight with Etihad, whether in Economy, Business, or First class, that transits through Abu Dhabi.
2. After your flight booking is confirmed, navigate to Etihad’s dedicated stopover portal at www.etihad.com/en-ae/abu-dhabi/stopover.
3. Choose the ‘Free Stopover’ option on the site.
4. Enter your booking reference or ticket number along with your last name.
5. Click ‘Check Now’ and proceed to select your desired hotel from the list of available options. Subsequently, you’ll be provided with a hotel voucher.

Eligibility Criteria: To utilize this service, travelers must be at least 21 years of age or older.

Layovers Between 10 to 24 hours:

For travelers with layovers in Abu Dhabi ranging from 10 to 24 hours, Etihad provides the ‘Transit Connect’ stopover service, offering complimentary accommodation at hotels conveniently located a short distance from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

Available Hotels for Free Stay: When utilizing this service, you have the option to choose your accommodation from the following hotels, depending on their availability:

• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Hotel
• Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre Hotel
• Aloft Abu Dhabi

Procedure to Avail the Service:

1. After finalizing your flight booking with Etihad, which includes a layover in Abu Dhabi, proceed to the dedicated ‘Transit Connect’ webpage: https://www.etihad.com/en-ae/abu-dhabi/stopover/transit-connect.
2. Enter your booking reference number and last name on the platform.
3. Review the hotel options available and select your preferred accommodation. Upon successful booking, you will receive an email containing your hotel voucher.

Eligibility Criteria: Travelers must be at least 18 years old or older to access this service.

Additional Information: Before confirming your free hotel stay with Etihad for your layover, it’s advisable to reach out to their customer service center. Understanding the service’s terms and conditions is crucial. Depending on your location, the contact number for Etihad may vary.

For the appropriate contact details, you can visit their support page at https://www.etihad.com/en-be/help. Once there, navigate to the ‘Call Us’ section and select your country to obtain the relevant phone number.

Free Hotel Stay For Dubai Layovers with Emirates:

For passengers with extended layovers at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Emirates offers a complimentary transit visa and hotel accommodation service known as ‘Dubai Connect’. This service is designed to provide travelers with a comfortable stay, including free transfers between the airport and the hotel, as well as meals.

Eligibility Criteria Based on Layover Duration and Flight Class:

Emirates has specific criteria to determine eligibility for the ‘Dubai Connect’ service:

• Flight Class: Passengers traveling in First Class or Business Class are eligible.
• Layover Duration: The duration of the layover can range between six to 26 hours.

Furthermore, the availability of this complimentary service is contingent upon the absence of more suitable connecting flight options for your journey.

Steps to Avail ‘Dubai Connect’:

1. Flight Booking: After reserving an Emirates flight with a layover at DXB, navigate to Emirates’ official website: Emirates Manage Booking.
2. Service Selection: Enter your last name and flight reference number. Proceed to the ‘Manage section’ and select the ‘Dubai Connect’ option to integrate it into your flight itinerary. It’s imperative to add this service at least 24 hours prior to your Dubai-bound flight.

Age Restrictions:

• Passengers Below 18: Individuals under 18 years of age can utilize the ‘Dubai Connect’ service if accompanied by an adult passenger aged 18 or above.

Hotel Accommodations with ‘Dubai Connect’:

Upon confirmation, Emirates will allocate a hotel booking from a select list, contingent on availability:

• The Copthorne Hotel Dubai
• Le Méridien Airport Hotel Dubai
• JW Marriott Marquis

Upon landing in Dubai, travelers should proceed to the ‘Dubai Connect’ desk situated at Arrivals for assistance with transfers. While the complimentary hotel booking covers meals and transport, travelers must present a credit card during check-in to secure any incidental expenses like minibar items, spa services, or additional dining outside the ‘Dubai Connect’ offering.

For personalized inquiries about eligibility, based on individual itineraries and flight specifics, travelers can reach out to the Emirates customer service hotline: +971 600555555.

Important Note: While the hotel stays might be complimentary, certain amenities, meals, or additional services might incur extra charges. Always check the terms and conditions beforehand to avoid any unexpected expenses.