In this post:
Etihad to Provide Free Medical Travel Insurance
Etihad has announced a new scheme in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism in a bid to increase passenger numbers.
If you’re flying via Abu Dhabi with Etihad, you’ll automatically receive free medical travel insurance from July to December 2026 for up to 15 days. Insurance is provided by Daman, which is part of PureHealth.
There have been some great fares via the Middle East recently, but the ongoing uncertainty and the possibility of disruption are likely to make many think twice. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the UAE. Travelling against that advice may invalidate or restrict your travel insurance.
The cover is automatic, so you don’t need to apply, but you must be travelling on an international flight and have purchased your ticket outside the UAE. If you’re planning on taking up Etihad’s stopover programme, you’d also be covered for the duration of your stay.
Etihad has said the scheme is being offered to meet demand and provide an experience that goes beyond the flight itself, and that every visitor is well protected, giving one less thing to think about and one more reason to book.
This isn’t intended to replace your usual travel insurance. It only covers your stay in the UAE. If you’re flying onwards, you will not be covered for medical issues outside the UAE and will still need your usual travel insurance.
This is a great idea from Etihad, especially if you have pre-existing conditions and medical insurance is normally expensive for you. Etihad offered a similar scheme after COVID to help increase demand, and it proved very popular.
Khaled Ateeq Aldhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Company – Daman, said:
“Protecting people’s health and wellbeing is central to Daman’s role as the UAE’s leading health insurer. This initiative adds meaningful value to the visitor experience by integrating reliable medical insurance directly into the travel journey.
“Building on more than 20 years as a trusted partner in Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem, Daman is proud to support Etihad Airways and DCT Abu Dhabi in delivering a differentiated offering for visitors, underpinned by access to one of the UAE’s most comprehensive medical provider networks and world-class healthcare services.”
It will be interesting to see whether other Middle East-based airlines follow suit.
Search Etihad flights here >>>
Star Alliance: Changes to Polaris Lounge Access
United Lounges already have some complex eligibility requirements, but Polaris Lounges have been added to Star Alliance’s new ultra-premium exclusive lounge category, meaning you will not automatically have access to them if you are travelling in First with a Star Alliance airline. This is interesting considering United doesn’t offer First.
Ultra-premium luxury lounges are reserved for an airline’s own ultra-premium customers. These include lounges such as the Lufthansa HON/First lounges in Frankfurt and Munich, and equivalents in Zurich, Geneva and Vienna, as well as the Thai Airways Spa Lounge in Bangkok and the Singapore Airlines Private room.
The following passengers will still be able to access the Polaris lounges:
- First Class passengers flying with ANA, Lufthansa or SWISS
- Basic and Flex Business Class ticket holders on Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian and Brussels Airlines
- Business Class passengers flying with ANA, Air New Zealand or ITA Airways
Star Alliance has also clarified that Gold members continue to have access to eligible Business Class lounges in line with their status benefits, while First Class passengers may use First lounges where available, except in the new ultra-premium category (unless eligible).
The rules are as follows:
As an International First Class Customer, you have access to International First Class and any Star Alliance member carrier’s own lounges at the airport where your flight departs (not including ultra-premium exclusive lounges*) if the following conditions are met:
- You present a boarding pass in International First Class on a Star Alliance member airline operated flight.
- Your flight departs on the same day of your visit or latest by 05.00 AM next morning.
- The lounge shows the Star Alliance Logo at the entrance.
Earn 50,000+ Avios with Foxtons
Foxtons has increased the number of Avios available through its partnership with British Airways Club. Landlords can now earn up to 50,000 Avios per property when appointing Foxtons as their sole letting agent.
Foxtons’ partnership with British Airways Club began less than a year ago, with rewards of up to 30,000 Avios. This increase is ideal, especially given the recent increases in Avios required for reward flights.
The revised offers are:
- 50,000 Avios per property when you instruct Foxtons as the sole letting agent – 4,167 per month for 12 months
- 20,000 Avios per property when you convert a non-managed property to fully managed – 1,667 Avios per month for 12 months
- 20,000 Avios when you instruct Foxtons to sell a property. This has been reduced from 30,000 Avios. You’ll be paid the Avios in full upon the completion of the sale.
You’ll need to link your British Airways Club and My Foxtons account before instructing an agent. It’s also important to note that not all Foxtons branches are participating in the offer.
While you shouldn’t choose an estate agent just because of the Avios attached, this is a great partnership and one we want to see more of. It’s certainly very tempting.
