Serve Up Low Fares with FCF’s Stopover Loophole Strategy via Etihad.
An eagle-eyed member of FCF’s research team found this nifty nugget while researching our Buyer’s Guide to India, also in this issue. As she puts it, “I did a bunch of research and found that Etihad is one of the few airlines that allows a free stop, and a lightbulb went off—that fits our Stopover Loophole Strategy.” And voila, she just created more work for herself, scoring free side-trips for you to Africa, Asia, India, the Middle East, and the Maldives.
What is the Stopover Loophole Strategy?
The Stopover Loophole Strategy (SLS) has been popular with FCF readers since we started to report on it more, most recently here, here, and here. This time we show you how to put it to work on Etihad.
Some airlines allow a free stopover in their hub city on published Business Class fares, and Etihad is one of them. This means you can book a “stopover” in Abu Dhabi (for a few days or even weeks or months) for free, before traveling on to your second destination.
Our research shows that it’s possible to save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on a round-trip Business Class ticket when you add a side trip to Africa, Asia, India, the Middle East, or even the Maldives. Specific details below.
But first, the question you might be asking: Is the SLS even worth the trouble? Let’s put it this way: This strategy means you’re actually getting paid to take a vacation in a second destination after your business trips ends.
Etihad Has High Published Business Class Fares to Abu Dhabi
Now, a note to start. Etihad, in general, has high Business Class fares. So, when you’re looking for the best Business Class airfare options with Etihad to Abu Dhabi, it’s important to be open minded. Most people just type in a bunch of Google searches for flights and dates and settle for what they find. You’ll see why this isn’t the best approach, as these published Business Class fares to Abu Dhabi start from $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the U.S. departure city. Don’t worry—you’re not going to pay the sticker price, because…
How the SLS Lowers Those Business Class Fares
…with the Stopover Loophole Strategy on Etihad, you can often lower the total cost of the overall journey by adding the side trip. Let’s see it in action.
Serve Me Up Some SLS
Africa side-trip saves $1,198: As we mentioned, Etihad Business Class fares to its hub city, Abu Dhabi, are high. So let’s say you want to travel from New York to Abu Dhabi and the lowest Biz Class fare is $5,014 round-trip. Now, for just $3,816, you can fly New York to Abu Dhabi and stop in Johannesburg. So, loopily, for $1,198 less, you still get to Abu Dhabi, PLUS you add South Africa.
Asia side-trip saves $1,063: Washington, DC, to Abu Dhabi’s lowest Business Class fare is $5,014 round-trip. However, for $1,063 less ($3,951), you can add a side trip to Bangkok on your trip to Abu Dhabi, on your way there or on your return. That’s because the lowest Washington, DC-Bangkok fare is $3,951. You still get to Abu Dhabi, but you also get Bangkok—and a huge bang for your buck.
India side-trip saves $2,623: Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi’s lowest Business Class fare is $6,010 round-trip. For $2,623 less, you can add a side trip to Mumbai, and stop in Abu Dhabi on your way there or on your return.
Middle East side-trip saves $2,545: Los Angeles to Abu Dhabi’s lowest Business Class fare is $6,010 round-trip. For $2,545 less, you can add a side trip to Kuwait, and stop in Abu Dhabi on your way there or on your return.
Maldives side-trip saves $691: Chicago to Abu Dhabi’s lowest Biz Class fare is $5,014 round-trip. For $691 less, you can add a side trip to tropical Male in the Maldives, and stop in Abu Dhabi on your way there or on your return.