So Im confused on how the stopover works. Looking to book CMB-HKG (Jan 12)> HKG>LAX (Jan 13). Looks as if when I try to book just the flight CMB-LAX the price is about $900 but when I use multicity to get the extra day on the stopover its skyrockets to $2400. Do you have to call them to get the price at $900? Or do they not allow stopovers greater than 24 hours?


Thanks in advance!

Anything less than 24 hours is not considered a stopover, just transit. Thus booking that option the 1st sector and the 2nd sector comes under the same fare bucket.

If the difference in duration between the 1st sector and the 2nd sector is greater than 24 hours, then it will be considered a stopover. Given that it is not a transit anymore, and depending on loading for that particular day (either for the 1st sector or the 2nd sector) price may fluctuate that has resulted in the disparity you see there.

Funny that the OP asked this question, I'm looking at the exact same itinerary.

Anyway, what you're saying is that the system recognizes us as wanting a stopover when we search via multi-city? You may be correct... but my gut says something is wrong with that (as I've never seen fares work that way).

Sri Lanka departures via HKG to USA (LAX for example) are less expensive than just HKG to LAX. The same flight leg from HKG - LAX is very expensive. It drops in price (yes in total) if you just add a CMB to HKG leg. Yup, so if you actually add a 5 hour flight the cost of the 2 legs is actually less than just flying one leg (HKG to LAX). Based on this it would appear the website does not recognize stopovers as allowed and something else must be done to get the "stopover" rate. Ideas?

On another note, why would an airline price this (one way mid Jan 2016 departure)?

CMB - HKG - LAX: $640
HKG - LAX: $955

In what universe would it make sense when flying the same leg from HKG - LAX but adding a leg from CMB be hundreds less than just the one leg?

Textbook example of price discrimination. That's also why ME3 charge you cheaper on HKG-DXB-XXX, Eva charges you cheaper on HKG-TPE-USA...

I wish I had time (and flexibility) to game this. JNB-HKG-ORD $22k HKD in business, heck, one can almost make DM in 3 trips...but barely SL for the same price HKG-ORD in E/R class

Probably the same case as tickets from MNL. CX from MNL to U.S. in Y tends to be competitive and much cheaper than just HKG-USA -- since the alternative would be PR direct to LAX or SFO.
And stopovers in HKG are NOT allowed going to the U.S.; usually free on the way back. Some years ago, I asked CX MNL senior staff why this was so. I was told that some folks actually buy cheap tickets in MNL and hand it off to someone with a similar sounding name in HKG, who then travel onwards to U.S. Hence the "no stopover" outgoing rule.
I wonder if the price for you would drop if you stop in HKG on the return from the U.S. and not going?

If HKG is a HIP (higher intermediate point), then stopover fare should do up. I would guess it will become RT HKH-US-HKG fare + surcharges. Add-on to MNL should be free.

I don't think that the ex-CMB fares are subject to HIP checks- unless that's changed recently.

OP- perhaps try booking using 'Must fly on these dates' (instead of flexible dates)- I used to get the lower 'I' class fares instead of 'C' that way, for ex-CMB bookings, assuming of course that I class is available on the dates/flights you are looking for. An alternative is to email the CMB reservations team & book.

Typically with CMB to USA fares, an extended transit (<48 hours) in HKG is available on the return for a very very small surcharge. In some cases, as a result of a disconnect with the HKG-CMB leg. And yes, many of the fare classes have a specific no stopover clause on the outbound legs. I would maintain the minor extra amounts I have paid the TA in Colombo are well worth the money as she provides excellent response times. But sometimes fare rules and point of sale defeat her. Note that UL R class fares credit 100% to Asia Miles.

Also note that PEY fares exJNB to the USA are almost enough less than exCMB to pay for a Y round trip CMB-JNB. Assuming you have the time and inclination to make the detour... A question under consideration if this can be done before 16 April.

Happy wandering

Fred

I'm wanting to book J MNL HKG YVR JFK with a stopover in YVR for 2 nights, then return JFK HKG MNL, not necessary, can be JFK YVR HKG MNL, just no need for the stopover on the return. Is this possible and if so how do I book this? Rules say stopover is possible if you book CX888 or CX889. How many days are allowed on a stop over?

Also,considering booking just MNL HKG YVR. Then book J using Asia Miles for YVR JFK, when I go to book for just one ticket, there is availability, but if I select 2 tickets it only offers "try waitlist?" Would it be better to book 2 sepearate tickets, one through my Asia miles account and one through my wife's? How risky is relying on waitlisting?

The rules should also spell this out pretty clearly, If such clarifying language is lacking, I would use the ticket validity period (i.e. all travel needs to be completed within X days) to define the hard limit.