Airline stopover flights: A whole information to maximizing your flight itinerary

Need to discover new locations with out spending additional? That is what airline stopover applications are all about.

Image this: You are in your approach to a far-off vacation spot with Qatar Airways or Emirates. You have got a layover in a spot like Doha or Dubai. As a substitute of ready on the airport, you may step out and see the town. And guess what? It won’t even value you a lot, thanks to those cool stopover offers that airways supply.

You may be wandering the streets of Doha in the present day after which off to Bangkok tomorrow. Or, possibly you are absorbing Lisbon, Portugal’s vibes earlier than heading to Accra, Ghana. Have you ever ever thought of visiting Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in your approach to certainly one of South Africa’s cities or nationwide parks? These applications can unlock that sort of journey.

Why are they nice? First off, they are a discount. You are primarily getting two journeys for the value of 1. Plus, airways win, too. They get extra vacationers to their dwelling cities and wager on you loving it a lot that you’re going to come again for extra.

Pondering of a two-for-one journey hack? You are in the suitable spot. We have put collectively a no-fuss information on airline stopover applications, specializing in the offers for paid tickets. In the event you’re utilizing factors or miles, don’t be concerned — there is a information for that, too.

Copa Airways

By the brand new Panama stopover possibility, Copa Airways passengers can spend between 24 hours and 7 days within the nation’s capital, Panama Metropolis. Whereas there is no additional cost to e-book a Panama stopover, you may nonetheless must cowl some bills, like an in a single day lodge, if wanted.

Happily, resorts are closely discounted, and you’ll choose the tour itinerary that the majority appeals to you on the stopover web site. I, for one, just like the Panama Metropolis and Seaside tour, which incorporates six nights cut up throughout two high-end resorts. This tour covers all meals and drinks, transportation and resorts for $1,242 per particular person.

Associated: Meet Lodge La Compania, Hyatt’s historic hit in Panama Metropolis

Emirates

In the event you’re flying Emirates, why not take the chance to discover the United Arab Emirates for a couple of additional days alongside the way in which?

To reap the benefits of the airline’s Dubai Stopover program, use the superior search characteristic on the airline’s web site and guarantee you might have constructed a stopover into your itinerary. You are able to do this by constructing a multicity itinerary with a cease in Dubai.

After reserving, contact your native Emirates workplace for help reserving a stopover package deal, which may embody add-ons like a room at certainly one of over 100 companion resorts, transportation, meals, visa preparations (Emirates can assist with 96-hour or 30-day visas) and tourism actions.

You may also go to the airline’s Accommodations & Visas desk at Terminal 3 in Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB). All preparations come at an added value however would possibly nonetheless be worthwhile because the airline does all of the legwork for you and has secured particular charges for its prospects.

Etihad Airways

Etihad presently provides two completely different stopover choices in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

After reserving a multicity itinerary with a stopover of not less than 24 hours that doesn’t originate or terminate in Abu Dhabi, you should use your reserving quantity to get pleasure from discounted charges at high resorts within the space.

The period of every stopover is capped at a 24-hour keep. Relying on the flight itinerary, a most of two nights will be booked below this supply. Reserve both a free one-night keep or a reduced keep of as much as six nights at certainly one of over 20 premium resorts. These embody the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri and the Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Lodge & Residences Emirates Pearl.

Alternatively, you may go for a one- or two-night keep at certainly one of over 10 different lower-priced properties. The airline additionally offers reductions on actions and excursions.

Ethiopian Airways

Transit instances by means of Addis Ababa Bole Worldwide Airport (ADD) in Ethiopia will be lengthy. So, in case your layover is between eight and 24 hours, Ethiopian Airways will prepare a complimentary lodge keep and airport transfers, offered you might have the mandatory visa or are eligible for a transit visa upon arrival, which the airline will facilitate.

Finnair

Take within the northern lights and a few artwork nouveau structure with a stopover of as much as 5 days when touring by means of Helsinki Airport (HEL) on Finnair.

You may should pay to your personal lodging and actions, however your ticket should not value extra when including additional time within the metropolis. The airline companions with Go to Finland to supply stopover journey inspiration, lodging, tour packages and extra.

Iberia

Iberia’s Hola Madrid stopover program permits passengers to spend between one and 6 nights in Madrid at no additional cost. You may also get hold of reductions on lodge stays with Melia, airport transfers, entrance to museums such because the Prado Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Nationwide Museum and a two-day complimentary transport card.

Associated: e-book Iberia flights to Spain (and past) utilizing Avios

Icelandair

A variety of airways have added Iceland service, making it simple to attach by means of Keflavik Airport (KEF) from the U.S. to different factors in Europe. So, you would possibly need to try Icelandair’s stopover program, which is taken into account the pioneer of airline stopover packages.

You possibly can keep for one to seven nights at no added ticket value. When reserving, choose the stopover possibility and what number of days you’d prefer to spend exploring the land of fireside and ice (as much as one week). For inspiration on what to do throughout your stopover, try Iceland Journey, the place you may view varied excursions and actions.

Associated: These are the perfect instances to go to Iceland

Oman Air

Fly Oman Air by way of its dwelling airport of Muscat Worldwide Airport (MCT) between worldwide locations — the airline would not fly to the U.S. — and chances are you’ll be eligible to e-book a stopover of two or three nights with one evening free at companion resorts by means of Oman Air Holidays.

There are a couple of phrases and circumstances to pay attention to, corresponding to reserving a round-trip worldwide itinerary, however the stipulations aren’t too sophisticated.

Qatar Airways

Though you may must examine a number of the blackout dates, Qatar Airways provides critical reductions on stopover packages, together with resorts, meals, metropolis excursions and actions, for passengers transiting by means of Doha’s Hamad Worldwide Airport (DOH).

You possibly can even e-book themed packages, corresponding to a seashore trip and a luxurious journey with a personal desert safari. You possibly can e-book a ticket with a stopover utilizing this web page on Qatar Airways’ web site.

Swiss

Keep from one to 4 nights in Switzerland with the Stopover Switzerland program. First, e-book your multicity itinerary by means of Swiss’ Stopover Switzerland reserving portal, then choose your journey package deal for the variety of nights you may keep.

Packages are bundled by cities and classes like “luxurious,” “style of Switzerland” and “better of Switzerland,” with pricing that begins at 180 Swiss francs ($185). The preparations embody lodging and free public transportation throughout Switzerland, plus a passbook with over 100 reductions on sights, mountain trains, eating and extra.

TAP Air Portugal

Keep in Lisbon or Porto for as much as 5 days at no further cost throughout a stopover in Portugal. Begin by seeing in case your flight is eligible for a stopover. Whether it is, choose which metropolis you need to go to, then select whether or not you’d prefer to schedule your go to throughout your inbound or outbound journey and specify how lengthy you may keep.

As soon as your stopover is booked, you should use TAP Air Portugal’s cellular app for reductions on resorts and sights, journey inspiration, guides and extra.

Turkish Airways

Turkish Airways provides among the best stopover applications on the market. Enterprise-class passengers with a stopover of 20 hours or extra can keep in a luxurious lodge in Turkey for as much as two days. Economic system-class passengers can keep at a barely extra inexpensive lodge for sooner or later. Your stopover have to be longer than 20 hours to qualify for a free lodge room.

As soon as you’ve got reserved your flights, ship an electronic mail (discover the suitable electronic mail deal with primarily based on the vacation spot right here) — together with your title, reservation code or ticket quantity, dates wanted for lodging, most popular room sort (single, double or triple), phone quantity and electronic mail deal with — not less than 72 hours earlier than your first flight.

In case your stopover is between six and 24 hours, you may discover Istanbul with a free metropolis tour, together with bus transportation and meals. You need not reserve forward of time. Simply head to the Touristanbul desk upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) to register. For extra data on the completely different excursions supplied, go to the airline’s Touristanbul web page. As at all times, make certain to examine visa necessities earlier than touring.

Associated: spend 1 day in Istanbul

Japan Airways 

Japan Airways is taken into account one of many world’s most stopover-friendly airways. Passengers with layovers in Tokyo, Osaka or different main cities can reap the benefits of the airline’s stopover program to discover Japan’s seemingly limitless wondrous websites.

To rearrange your stopover, merely e-book a multicity itinerary and guarantee your layover meets the minimal period necessities. Vacationers can even use the JAL Japan Explorer Move to go to over 30 cities throughout Japan.

As soon as you’ve got finalized your flights, you may contact Japan Airways customer support to inquire about out there stopover packages, which can embody discounted lodge stays, transportation and sightseeing excursions.

Associated: The very best methods to journey to Japan with factors and miles

Qantas 

Qantas, Australia’s flagship provider, offers stopover alternatives for passengers touring by means of main Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Whether or not you are en route to a different worldwide vacation spot or returning dwelling, you may lengthen your layover to discover iconic Australian landmarks, vibrant cities or picturesque landscapes.

To include a stopover into your itinerary, choose the multicity reserving possibility when arranging your flights on the Qantas web site.

Associated: That is the way to redeem simply 62,500 Amex, Capital One or Citi factors for a first-class flight to Australia

Air Canada

Air Canada provides stopover applications for vacationers passing by means of Toronto and different main cities. Whether or not you are flying domestically or internationally, you may lengthen your layover to find the marvel and pleasure of Canada’s biggest sights. The size of keep in your stopover metropolis have to be not less than 24 hours and not more than 45 days. In the event you’re reserving a stopover in Toronto, you may rise up to seven days in your approach to Europe or Asia at no additional value.

Select the multicity reserving possibility on the Air Canada web site when planning your flights to incorporate a stopover in your itinerary.

Associated: 5 small Canadian cities you should use factors and miles to go to this yr

Air France and KLM

Air France and KLM, two distinguished members of the SkyTeam alliance, present stopover alternatives for passengers touring by means of their hub cities like Paris and Amsterdam. Plus, in the event you’re a Flying Blue rewards member, you may e-book an award ticket that features a complimentary stopover.

To rearrange a stopover, choose the multicity reserving possibility on the Air France or KLM web site.

Singapore Airways

Singapore Airways provides stopover choices for passengers transiting by means of Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), one of many world’s most famed airports. Whether or not you are touring to or from locations in Asia, Australia, Europe or the Americas, you may lengthen your layover to expertise the sights, sounds and flavors of Singapore.

Singapore Airways provides one free stopover on a round-trip Saver Award, corresponding to a flight from Australia to New York with a stopover in Singapore. For one-way Benefit awards, vacationers can add one complimentary stopover. For round-trip Benefit awards, vacationers can add two complimentary stopovers. Extra stopovers (as much as three per award ticket) will be added for $100 every. Stopovers can solely be added on-line if the route is eligible.

Choose the multicity reserving possibility on the Singapore Airways web site to rearrange a stopover.

Royal Jordanian Airways 

Royal Jordanian Airways provides a beneficiant stopover program to discover the magical websites of Jordan. Whether or not you are touring to the Center East or connecting to different locations, you may lengthen your keep to find the historic websites, pure wonders and cultural treasures of Jordan.

Choose the multicity reserving possibility when reserving your flights on the Royal Jordanian Airways web site to include a stopover in your itinerary.

Backside line

Constructing a stopover into your itinerary is a good cost-effective approach to see one other nation or metropolis throughout your journey. Fortunately, many airways and tourism boards are more than pleased to assist vacationers profit from even a short while on the bottom to discover a brand new vacation spot and hopefully pique their curiosity in one other go to.

Even when your airline would not publish or promote a stopover program of its personal, you may at all times discover your choices by performing multicity searches and pricing out tickets earlier than making your individual lodge and transportation preparations. If doubtful, you may at all times name the airline to ask what your selections may be.

Hawaiian Airways, as an illustration, lets vacationers flying to or from the airline’s 9 worldwide locations get pleasure from a free stopover in Honolulu on every leg, whether or not outbound or return. The one stipulation is that vacationers should use the multicity possibility when reserving on Hawaiian’s web site. So, you might need extra alternatives to see one other a part of the world in your subsequent trip thanks suppose.

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