How to Get Two Vacations for the Price of One

Are you into maximizing every minute you spend traveling? There’s nothing ambitious travelers love more than a stopover plan. So, what exactly is a stopover? The big thing to know is that stopovers and layovers aren’t interchangeable. However, some stopovers can be longer-than-usual layovers. A stopover is typically categorized as any stop at a destination that lasts for four hours or more on a domestic flight or 24 hours or longer on an international flight. The exciting thing is that more and more airlines are beginning to offer stopover programs that allow travelers to enjoy little stops in fun destinations as they journey to holiday spots.

Why Do Airlines Provide Stopovers?

You may be wondering why airlines bother with stopover programs. It can seem like airlines don’t really stand to make much money by treating guests to perks when they aren’t technically booking extra airfare. There are two reasons: The first is that airlines often offer stopover options in their hub cities. Airlines see great value in boosting tourism numbers in their hub cities. The second reason is that airlines are betting on the fact that a 24-hour whirlwind tour of a great city will prompt tourists to plan return visits! A stopover can serve as a great promotional tool for airlines looking to ensure future bookings.

What Are Some of the Best Stopover Plans?

There are several airlines that boast decent stopover programs. In fact, booking with some carriers can get you hooked up with really pampered experiences for free while you wait for your next flight. Here’s a look at some of the best stopover plans in the business:

• Finnair’s stopover program makes it possible to hang around Helsinki for anywhere from five hours to five days without paying extra airfare costs. The airline also provides some customer-only rates for hotels and local attractions.
• Air Canada will give you one free night in Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver without charging you extra for your airfare. What’s more, many tickets offered by Air Canada actually include a free night or highly-discounted price at a high-end hotel like the Sheraton Gateway. Air Canada even allows you to get double the perks by routing through one destination in each direction you travel during a roundtrip journey.
• Iberia’s new stopover program will allow you to enjoy a stopover in Madrid for up to six nights without any extra airfare fees attached! Iberia also offers some negotiated rates on rooms at Meliá properties that will allow you to save up to 40 percent. Iberia even provides discounted access to museums and attractions in Madrid.
• Ethiopian Airlines provides any passenger with a connection in Addis Ababa lasting between eight and 24 hours with a free hotel room and transportation.
• Emirates has one of the most comprehensive stopover programs for travelers passing through Dubai. The Emirates Dubai stopover program offers access to spas, golf courses, nightlife hot spots, shopping, high-end dining, theme parks, resorts and more! In addition, Emirates has just announced that it is offering stopovers in Barcelona as part of its new route between Dubai and Mexico City.
• Singapore Airlines offers a Singapore stopover package that includes your hotel, transportation and access to attractions for around $40 per day.
• Qatar Airways allows passengers to book stopover tours in Doha for around $23. Packages include desert safaris, cruises, museum tours and more!

Every airline seems to handle stopover programs in slightly different ways. Plenty of carriers offer fully free stopover perks if you’re passing through a hub city. However, the trend seems to be that carriers out of the Middle East and Asia that offer very high-end, luxurious stopover packages do charge fees. The big benefit is that you will be getting the experience at a price that is much lower than anything you’d be able to pull together on your own. Keep in mind that you aren’t paying extra for airfare when you book with any of the carriers listed above!

Should You Book a Stopover Package?

It would be foolish to not at least look into the stopover options that are available with whatever airline you’re flying with to get to a destination. In fact, you may even want to choose the carrier you fly with based on what it can offer when it comes to squeezing in a “bonus” holiday during a stopover. The big thing to remember is that you need to make your stopover plans as early as possible. Even airlines that offer free stopover perks still require you to book your plans in advance.