Virgin Australia partner Etihad offers free hotel nights

Etihad is offering free hotel accommodation in the United Arab Emirates for Business and First Class passengers between now and the end of August.

You'll need to book a return flight -- and directly with Etihad -- to qualify for the Etihad Complimentary Nights offer.

An Etihad spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller this afternoon that passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi on a Virgin Australia (or V Australia) plane with an EY flight code will qualify only if the ticket has been purchased through Etihad.

Of course, Velocity Reward members will earn points on the flights as normal under the Virgin Australia-Etihad partnership agreement. 

It's a good opportunity for business travellers travelling to Abu Dhabi & Dubai or connecting to Europe on Etihad's network to break their journey and arrive refreshed, or to take a weekend off for a bit of rest and relaxation.

Australian passengers booking an Etihad ticket in Pearl Business Class get two nights' accommodation at the Crowne Plaza Yas Island or Park Rotana in Abu Dhabi, or the Novotel World Trade Centre, Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers or Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai.

Travellers plumping for Diamond First Class get three nights, and in better hotels: the Yas Hotel, Fairmont Bab al Bahr or InterContinental in Abu Dhabi, or the Pullman - Mall of the Emirates or Fairmont in Dubai.

And the Yas certainly looks the part:

Both classes get free chauffeur-driven transfers between Etihad's hub in Abu Dhabi airport and their hotel in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai. The deal also includes breakfast at the hotels.

If you pick Pearl Business Class, don't miss our guide to picking the best seats on the plane for your flights to and from Abu Dhabi.

To take advantage of the offer, book your flights (via Etihad or a travel agent) and fill out the booking form. Etihad will contact you within 48 hours to make hotel arrangements. To read up on the full details of the promotion, head over to the Etihad Complimentary Nights offer page.

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.