For the pragmatic traveler, long-haul flights often have long layovers, and some airlines offer free overnight stays at their partner hotels, here’s how to get them.
Costs in many places have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, despite a surge in tourism.Inflation remains a concern as tourism recovers, negatively impacting holiday affordability for some
When planning a vacation abroad, it’s wise to do some research on how to stretch your travel budget as much as possible. Some airlines offer incentives to passengers who stay in the airline’s city. Travelers can visit another place if they are willing to arrange a flight with a stopover allowance.
Several airlines will cover the full cost of hotel stays, although many offer various discounts worldwide.
If you arrange a stopover with either of these two well-known airlines, they will.
turkish airlines
Turkish Airlines is considered one of the top airlines in the world and has earned a lot of respect. Aboard their magnificent fleet of aircraft, passengers can know they are traveling in competent hands. The 4-star airline’s main hub is the beautiful city of Istanbul, which is connected to a vast network of destinations from New York to Sydney.
Traveling via Istanbul has the added bonus of being a great city and a must-see for many tourists. Turkey is expected to have a busy summer tourist season, despite safety concerns expressed after recent earthquakes and political turmoil.
Most people agree that Turkey is a safe country that welcomes tourists. Turkish Airlines allows stopover passengers to spend at least 24 hours in Istanbul free of charge. Ticket holders can enjoy at least one night’s free accommodation in a luxurious 4-star hotel when booking a flight with a minimum of 20 hours of connection. Passengers traveling in Business Class and Economy Class are eligible for complimentary benefits on Turkish Airlines.
Business class passengers can choose from more hotel options, including two nights at a five-star hotel, while economy class passengers can stay one night at a four-star hotel.
Still, Istanbul is a must stopover. The trendy seaside town of Antalya is one of Turkey’s many fascinating places to visit.
To qualify for a free hotel, travelers must meet certain requirements. They must request a complimentary hotel at least 72 hours before departure and email the designated representative. The email should include the passenger’s full name, ticket number, booking code, preferred dates of stay, room type and contact information, all of which can be found on the official Turkish Airlines stopover page on their website.
Etihad Airways
Like Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways is a well-known airline with a four-star rating. While they may not have as luxurious accommodations, they offer equal advantages when it comes to layovers. Passengers can stay in three- or four-star hotels for free through Etihad Airways’ “Stopover on Us” program, which is still pretty cool.
Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Centro Al Manhal and Ramada by Wyndham Abu Dhabi Downtown are some of the airline’s notable partners. If you want to upgrade, you can check out their Best of Abu Dhabi program where you can get up to 40% off at 4 or 5 star hotels.
To take advantage of these benefits, simply book any class on your flight to Abu Dhabi on the Etihad official website. Hotel reservations must be made at least three days before departure date and availability can be found on the Stopovers page.
