Jan 1, 2014, 9:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Presented as Q&A format (Originally posted by Alex_B)
Q: What is a stopover?
A: A stopover on an international itinerary is any break in your air travel for more than 24 hours except at the destination.
Q: What is an open-jaw?
A: An open-jaw is where you travel by your own means (either land, sea or a separate air ticket) between two points in a journey.
Q: How many stopovers am I allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: One stopover is permitted (an unlimited number of stops less than 24hours is allowable).
Q: How many open-jaws are allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: Two open-jaws are permitted. These must be at the stopover, destination or origin.
Q: Can I have a stopover or open-jaw on a one-way award?
A: No
Q: Can I have a open-jaw at both the stopover and destination?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this
Q: Can I transit my destination multiple times (e.g. fly to JNB, fly to CPT and then return home via JNB)?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this. You can only stop in your destination for > 24 hours once though.
Q: Can I cross both oceans?
A: Yes. The rule that prohibited crossing both oceans appears to have been removed from both MP and *A award rules. There are many many successful examples of people booking these itineraries.
Q: Is EWR-PVG transatlantic or transpacific?
A: US-East Asia/South East Asia is always transpacific no matter what geography might suggest.
Q: Do I pay more for a stopover or open-jaw?
A: Typically no additional mileage is required but additional taxes or fees are often payable (especially in UK with high Air Passenger Duty). Extra mileage will often be required if an open-jaw or stopover adds a higher cost region into the itinerary. Also awards wholly within CONUS, Canada and Alaska (formerly known as Series 0 awards) require additional mileage (10K miles) for a stopover of >4 hrs.
Q: What's this about a free one-way I can get on awards?
A: The concept of free one-ways is a misnomer and often confuses people, it is better to consider it a stopover in the city of origin. If you have a simple roundtrip award without a stopover, you can often create a stopover and open-jaw at your origin on the return leg to add an addition flight. E.g. I wish to book EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR which is a roundtrip US-Europe award. I could also book this as EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR (stopover)-SFO for the same mileage (and a few dollars of extra tax). The EWR segment would need to be within 330 days of booking and would be subject to the usual change fees.
Update1: Recent reports suggest that a stopover at origin is no longer permitted, which closes the free one-way option.
Update2: added SO/OJ at origin on two PNRs (identical in routing) with two different agents on 7/6/14 without any issues/questions.
Q: When I try to book my OJ itinerary online, the website errors out. Does that mean there is something wrong with my itinerary?
A: Not necessarily. The website typically can't handle complex itineraries. These must generally be called in.
Other notes:
•The open-jaw portion must be smaller (in miles) than any other leg. -While technically true for revenue fare construction this is not strictly enforced on awards.
•For awards between CONUS/Canada/Alaska and South Asia award regions the maximum number of segments is 5 segments each way on a round-trip and 4 segments on a one-way. (Note that many FTers report recently being read a memo that imposes an eight segment maximum on a roundtrip (4 each way). It is unclear whether this eight-segment maximum is limited to South Asia routings through Europe or North Asia, or has broader application.)
•Stopovers and open-jaws are NOT additive. You do not get extra stops included in your itinerary simply by making an open-jaw out of it.
Seeing your fare construction on an already booked award ticket:
In order to see your award fare construction to see where your stopovers and destination are, follow these steps.
Go to http://www.saudiairlines.com/
Then hit "Manage My Bookings" and select "E-Ticket"
Enter your UA ticket number (hint: 016 will go in the first box, and then everything else in the second box). Then your last name and hit "Retrieve My Booking". On the next page you'll see a line like this under "Fare Calculation":
CHI LH X/FRA LH ROM0.00CSM/YB52 /- FLR LH X/FRA LH X/DUS LH CHI UA SEA
This example is:
ORD-FRA-FCO
Open Jaw at Destination
FLR-FRA-DUS-ORD
Stopover at origin
ORD-SEA
Previous thread on this topic:
Rules for Open Jaw & Stopover Award Flights (Consolidated)
Q: What is a stopover?
A: A stopover on an international itinerary is any break in your air travel for more than 24 hours except at the destination.
Q: What is an open-jaw?
A: An open-jaw is where you travel by your own means (either land, sea or a separate air ticket) between two points in a journey.
Q: How many stopovers am I allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: One stopover is permitted (an unlimited number of stops less than 24hours is allowable).
Q: How many open-jaws are allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: Two open-jaws are permitted. These must be at the stopover, destination or origin.
Q: Can I have a stopover or open-jaw on a one-way award?
A: No
Q: Can I have a open-jaw at both the stopover and destination?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this
Q: Can I transit my destination multiple times (e.g. fly to JNB, fly to CPT and then return home via JNB)?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this. You can only stop in your destination for > 24 hours once though.
Q: Can I cross both oceans?
A: Yes. The rule that prohibited crossing both oceans appears to have been removed from both MP and *A award rules. There are many many successful examples of people booking these itineraries.
Q: Is EWR-PVG transatlantic or transpacific?
A: US-East Asia/South East Asia is always transpacific no matter what geography might suggest.
Q: Do I pay more for a stopover or open-jaw?
A: Typically no additional mileage is required but additional taxes or fees are often payable (especially in UK with high Air Passenger Duty). Extra mileage will often be required if an open-jaw or stopover adds a higher cost region into the itinerary. Also awards wholly within CONUS, Canada and Alaska (formerly known as Series 0 awards) require additional mileage (10K miles) for a stopover of >4 hrs.
Q: What's this about a free one-way I can get on awards?
A: The concept of free one-ways is a misnomer and often confuses people, it is better to consider it a stopover in the city of origin. If you have a simple roundtrip award without a stopover, you can often create a stopover and open-jaw at your origin on the return leg to add an addition flight. E.g. I wish to book EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR which is a roundtrip US-Europe award. I could also book this as EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR (stopover)-SFO for the same mileage (and a few dollars of extra tax). The EWR segment would need to be within 330 days of booking and would be subject to the usual change fees.
Update1: Recent reports suggest that a stopover at origin is no longer permitted, which closes the free one-way option.
Update2: added SO/OJ at origin on two PNRs (identical in routing) with two different agents on 7/6/14 without any issues/questions.
Q: When I try to book my OJ itinerary online, the website errors out. Does that mean there is something wrong with my itinerary?
A: Not necessarily. The website typically can't handle complex itineraries. These must generally be called in.
Other notes:
•The open-jaw portion must be smaller (in miles) than any other leg. -While technically true for revenue fare construction this is not strictly enforced on awards.
•For awards between CONUS/Canada/Alaska and South Asia award regions the maximum number of segments is 5 segments each way on a round-trip and 4 segments on a one-way. (Note that many FTers report recently being read a memo that imposes an eight segment maximum on a roundtrip (4 each way). It is unclear whether this eight-segment maximum is limited to South Asia routings through Europe or North Asia, or has broader application.)
•Stopovers and open-jaws are NOT additive. You do not get extra stops included in your itinerary simply by making an open-jaw out of it.
Seeing your fare construction on an already booked award ticket:
In order to see your award fare construction to see where your stopovers and destination are, follow these steps.
Go to http://www.saudiairlines.com/
Then hit "Manage My Bookings" and select "E-Ticket"
Enter your UA ticket number (hint: 016 will go in the first box, and then everything else in the second box). Then your last name and hit "Retrieve My Booking". On the next page you'll see a line like this under "Fare Calculation":
CHI LH X/FRA LH ROM0.00CSM/YB52 /- FLR LH X/FRA LH X/DUS LH CHI UA SEA
This example is:
ORD-FRA-FCO
Open Jaw at Destination
FLR-FRA-DUS-ORD
Stopover at origin
ORD-SEA
Previous thread on this topic:
Rules for Open Jaw & Stopover Award Flights (Consolidated)
Consolidated: Rules for Open Jaw & Stopover Award Flights [2014]
Jan 2, 2014, 9:26 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: All opinions/interpretations expressed here are my own and are not officially sanctioned by UA
Posts: 352
I think the only limiter then will be the number of flights between HKG-IAH, including to/from/through SIN. IIRC as a round trip to Asia you will be limited to four transfers (five flights) in each direction, so five flights IAH-PEK and five flights HKG-IAH. No, you can't "borrow" unused cap space from one direction to use on the other (i.e., only two flights IAH-PEK in order to get seven HKG-(SIN)-IAH.
Jan 3, 2014, 1:29 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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wondering if this is legal...
EWR-HNL (desination)-YVR (stopover)-DCA
EWR-HNL (desination)-YVR (stopover)-DCA
Jan 3, 2014, 1:55 am
#33
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Jan 3, 2014, 2:48 am
#34
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Jan 3, 2014, 11:04 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, A3 Gold
Posts: 601
I think the only limiter then will be the number of flights between HKG-IAH, including to/from/through SIN. IIRC as a round trip to Asia you will be limited to four transfers (five flights) in each direction, so five flights IAH-PEK and five flights HKG-IAH. No, you can't "borrow" unused cap space from one direction to use on the other (i.e., only two flights IAH-PEK in order to get seven HKG-(SIN)-IAH.
Jan 3, 2014, 11:52 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
EWR-PEk round trip stopover in europe?
I tried to route EWR-PEK(Destination)-LHR, CDG(Stopover, open jaw)-EWR. Nothing on UA website. Called in twice and was told it counted as around the world ticket. How can I do a stopover in europe without adding miles? Actually any city/country would be fine for me in europe. Thanks!
Jan 3, 2014, 12:30 pm
#37
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I am attempting to book an itinerary but cannot figure out what is tripping up United's computer. Even United's agent agreed that the itinerary looks valid, but it just won't price out. Any thoughts?
Outbound:
LAS-LAX (layover <24 hr)
LAX-PEK (<24 hr)
PEK-MUC (<24 hr)
MUC-BCN (<24 hr)
BCN-OPO (destination, open jaw, extended stay)
Return:
LHR-MUC (<24 hr)
MUC-DXB (<24 hr)
DXB-BKK (stopover, extended stay)
BKK-TPE (<24 hr)
TPE-LAX
Thanks in advance for the help.
Outbound:
LAS-LAX (layover <24 hr)
LAX-PEK (<24 hr)
PEK-MUC (<24 hr)
MUC-BCN (<24 hr)
BCN-OPO (destination, open jaw, extended stay)
Return:
LHR-MUC (<24 hr)
MUC-DXB (<24 hr)
DXB-BKK (stopover, extended stay)
BKK-TPE (<24 hr)
TPE-LAX
Thanks in advance for the help.
Jan 3, 2014, 12:30 pm
#38
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I tried to route EWR-PEK(Destination)-LHR, CDG(Stopover, open jaw)-EWR. Nothing on UA website. Called in twice and was told it counted as around the world ticket. How can I do a stopover in europe without adding miles? Actually any city/country would be fine for me in europe. Thanks!
Or start by just doing a basic stopover in LHR, get it ticketed, then call back in to change it to an OJ.
Jan 3, 2014, 12:33 pm
#39
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I tried to route EWR-PEK(Destination)-LHR, CDG(Stopover, open jaw)-EWR. Nothing on UA website. Called in twice and was told it counted as around the world ticket. How can I do a stopover in europe without adding miles? Actually any city/country would be fine for me in europe. Thanks!
Jan 3, 2014, 12:39 pm
#40
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Jan 3, 2014, 12:39 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, Hilton Diamond, A3 Gold
Posts: 601
I tried to route EWR-PEK(Destination)-LHR, CDG(Stopover, open jaw)-EWR. Nothing on UA website. Called in twice and was told it counted as around the world ticket. How can I do a stopover in europe without adding miles? Actually any city/country would be fine for me in europe. Thanks!
Jan 3, 2014, 12:45 pm
#42
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Jan 3, 2014, 5:42 pm
#43
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Jan 3, 2014, 6:27 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: PDX
Programs: UA Global Services / Million Miler, Marriott Ambassador / Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 594
Award routing / stopover / open jaw help to Hawaii
Currently I can price out the following on UA.com all as saver award for 40,000 miles:
Day A: PDX-ORD - 3 day stopover in ORD
Day C: ORD-SFO-LIH
Day D: KOA-SFO-PDX
On Day C, ORD-SFO leaves at the crack of dawn and also has just a 45 minute connection to SFO-LIH. So what I would prefer to do is split Day C into two by flying ORD-SFO the night before, connecting to the next morning flight SFO-LIH:
Day A: PDX-ORD - 3 day stopover in ORD
Day B: ORD-SFO - overnight in SFO
Day C: SFO-LIH
Day D: KOA-SFO-PDX
However, UA.com won't have any of that and gives me an error. Looking at the flights individually there are saver seats on all, and my connection in SFO is well under 24 hours despite bridging the days.
Am I missing something on what is / isn't possible? I technically will still have just one > 24 hour stopover and one open jaw - does the "under 24 hour but overnight connection" in SFO kill the 40,000 mile potential, despite essentially being the same routing and segments?
Many thanks.
Day A: PDX-ORD - 3 day stopover in ORD
Day C: ORD-SFO-LIH
Day D: KOA-SFO-PDX
On Day C, ORD-SFO leaves at the crack of dawn and also has just a 45 minute connection to SFO-LIH. So what I would prefer to do is split Day C into two by flying ORD-SFO the night before, connecting to the next morning flight SFO-LIH:
Day A: PDX-ORD - 3 day stopover in ORD
Day B: ORD-SFO - overnight in SFO
Day C: SFO-LIH
Day D: KOA-SFO-PDX
However, UA.com won't have any of that and gives me an error. Looking at the flights individually there are saver seats on all, and my connection in SFO is well under 24 hours despite bridging the days.
Am I missing something on what is / isn't possible? I technically will still have just one > 24 hour stopover and one open jaw - does the "under 24 hour but overnight connection" in SFO kill the 40,000 mile potential, despite essentially being the same routing and segments?
Many thanks.