Award stopover question
 

I have an upcoming reward coming up the return is set up like this BKK-CDG-FRA-PHL-IAH all on one day. There are no stopovers planned, but I was wondering if I could switch the FRA-PHL to FRA-EWR (stopover)-IAH, the connection from CDG-FRA would be less than 24 hours (more time in the LH FCT) and then in EWR stopover or end my travel there. How long of a stopover is allowed? Or if I can't stopover can I end travel in EWR even though my origination was IAH?

On a round-trip award, you're allowed one stopover and one open jaw. Connections less than 24 hours are just connections, not stopovers. If you have a stopover, it can be as long as you like, up to ticket validity (that is, the last segment of itinerary must start within 1 year of ticket issuance, so a stopover could easily be 11+ months if you ticket near date of outbound travel). Assuming your outbound originates in US and flies to BKK, then on your return leg you can end in any other US city and have that be your allowed open jaw.

That works, I need to be in NY over the holidays, but I've already purchased a ticket to IAH, but I need to be back in NY in March. So I can do a 18 hour layover in FRA, connect to EWR (stay) fly back on my already purchased ticket, then when I fly back to NY use the remaining portion to fly back to IAH in March?

Do 2-1way rewards = roundtrip with a stopover?
 

I am going to piggy back on to this thread as my question is similar. I am going to be trying to make another reward reservation from the States to South Africa for a 6 week or so stint, in which we like to have a stopover in the UK. Traveling in Biz with a family of 4. So I would like to make part of the reservation as soon as possible and now with CO’s one way rewards, I could essentially book one leg as a one way as soon as the seats open, and then a month or so later I can book my return leg when those seats open. If I proceed this way will they see this as a round trip or 2 one way? I am thinking it will be 2 one ways and therefore not allow a stopover. Any thoughts? The miles will all be coming out of one account.

Also is there still advantage of booking so far out (11 months I believe)? Or should I just wait until both of my legs are within the window.

And last question what are the odds I can still book VS (as CO award) next November? Just thought I would throw that one out there just in case someone has any additional foresight, but realize nobody knows for certain.

This is correct.

The only advantage to booking early is if the inventory shows up.

No certainty, but I'm guessing the ability to book a new award on VS will be gone after the OnePass program ceases to exist.