I am transiting to a third country (Athens) under the same reservation, but happen to have to long layover in Dubai and would like to spend the night at a hotel.

According to the visa requirements, I am eligible for a 96-hr transit visa in arrival, but just as part of a 'transit package', which is what got me very confused.

If EK won't sponsor such 'transit package', my only hope is to find a hotel that does? This system is very confusing