ABU DHABI as a destination and a hub.
What has been one of the best airfare lucks ever seen in South African history in back to back weeks ( the first week had business class for R859 return that was cancelled and refunded) is now a reality ( second place now goes to Etihad’s R2959 Mumbai return in May 2014, read more HERE ) .
All day Friday and Saturday flysaa.com had fares priced at R2109 for economy and R12,089 for business class valid until March 2016, peak periods included. ( unfortunately kids are ticketed at the above fare and infants at R1700 and not the standard 75% and 10% respectively ).
The normal fare costs R8000 economy and R40,000 for business class currently.
The R2109 fare is so low it makes sense to fly back and forth each day to pile up the Etihad Guest miles ( they running a double mile bonus + double miles for Etihad Guest Gold card holder ) so you can score Etihad First Class suite valued at R66,000 one way for a mere 55,000 Guest Miles + ZAR 250 in tax read more on this HERE.
Remember it makes no sense to pay hard earned money to travel and get nothing back. The Traveloyalty way is win – win.
Hotels Traveloyalty recommends.
Traveloyalty’s world exclusive specials ( read more HERE ) whereby you can buy instant elite status in the worlds best hotel chains (without sleeping the high required thresholds to attain the status) can benefit you tremendously in Abu Dhabi and just about every nook and cranny the world has to offer.
Elite status allows you private carpeted check-in, room upgrades ( mostly suites on higher floors with private access), free breakfasts, free executive lounge access with all day snacks and drinks and hot evening meals, late check-out, high tea and best of all, bonus points for quicker free future stays. Some hotels will even give you butler service with dedicated concierge management service.
I have highlighted the current promotions the hotel chains are offering but please note these will end and new specials will come about as the seasons change.
1) Club Carlson’s Radisson Blu and Park Inn.
The above rates are on buy 1 night get 1 night free ( or 2 for 2) over weekends is exclusively for Club Carlson Gold card holders. Traveloyalty offers this gold card instantly and exclusively.
Current promo: Stay 3 nights get 30k in points ( that’s enough for almost 4 free nights in a category 1)
2) Hilton’s Capital Grand.
Hilton offers every 5th night free when booked on points from silver membership upwards. I would look at the points + cash option if the rates do fluctuate ( AED 183 per night is a great rate with 12000 Hhonors points ).
Current promo: Double points. ( Stack this with a booking made on the 2x points rate option and blended with a Hhonors Gold or Diamond membership and you will simply be milking the point system as hard as one can ).
3) IHG’s new Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.
IHG has a killer promo where all you may need to do is via a challenge is stay 3-4 nights at 2 different brands to earn a whopping 50,000 IHG Rewards Club points worth ZAR 40,000.
4) Hyatt’s Capital Gate.
If you took up Traveloyalty’s instant Hyatt Diamond offer before 31st October 2014 and stayed the 12 nights required to extend it you may redeem a suite certificate for up to 7 nights for a confirmed Capital Suite worth 1550 AED per night.
Splurge LEVEL.
Traveloyalty Offers instant Marriott Gold and Platinum elite status in a unique separate package.
5) Marriott’s Ritz Carlton.
Promo: MegaBonus up 25000 points to be earned.
Why you should credit your frequent miles to Etihad and using Abu Dhabi as a hub to connect to other cities.
..because no other airline is taking over the world so quickly and allows you to stack bonus miles on bonus miles and pool them in a family account with 100% dividends + they have such low taxes on award tickets and low guest mile requirements even in first class.
It doesn’t make sense using Abu Dhabi on this low fare to fly for cash to other cities on a separate ticket, however using miles is a different story.
You could see another country for under 5000 Guest miles in economy and 6600 in business class.
You can even fly to Jeddah for ZAR 250 + 9000 Guest miles.
Read a trip report on transit in Abu Dhabi HERE.
Ps. Don’t for get your kids un-abridged birth certificates as of 30 June 2015 you wont be able to fly and home affairs is taking longer than the 3 month requirement to attain it.
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more free stays, more often.
