Emirates offers first & business class free Dubai hotel stopovers

First and business class passengers on Emirates can take advantage of a free stopover -- with luxury hotel nights thrown in -- in August and September this year.

Business class passengers get a one-night stay at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers or The Address Dubai Marina.

If you're flying in Emirates' swanky first class, you'll get an equally swanky two-night stay at the Armani Hotel (in the world's highest building, the Burj Khalifa) or the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on the Palm Jumeirah island.

If you decide to stay at the Armani Hotel or The Address Dubai Marina as part of the deal, you'll also receive priority tickets to the At The Top panoramic viewpoint at the top of the Burj Khalifa. 

Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of sunshine, you'll get free admission to the Wild Wadi Water Park if you choose the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray or the Jumeirah Emirates Towers for your overnight stay.

Both classes get breakfast and a transit visa of up to 96 hours' duration.

The deal isn't quite as generous as the recent offer from local rival and Virgin Australia partner airline Etihad, whose main hub is just over 100km away at Abu Dhabi. Etihad offered two nights in Abu Dhabi or Dubai for business class passengers and three if you plumped for first class.

Emirates is only making the free nights available for new bookings (so no luck if you've already booked your flight). You'll need to contact your local Emirates office or travel agent once you've booked your flights to arrange the stay.

Full terms and conditions can be found at Emirates' website.

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.