Eastwest's Guide to Stopovers
 

I am at work and don't feel like working, so I thought I'd write up a blurb about stopovers and how they work. It'll be a work in progress so please feel free to add comments. I hope this helps some folks out.
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Stopping over is a great way to get more for your buck. In some cases, you can nest a mileage run into an existing itinerary, or in others, you just get to see a new place or visit some old friends.

Generally when you travel, you are required to depart a connecting city within 4 hours for domestic flights or 24 hours for international flights. Of course, there are ways around this rule.

1. Check the fare rules and see if they allow for stopovers. I think the easiest way to do this is to go to Travelocity and when you find the flight, click on the small link "Rules" on the right hand side of the fare. Scroll down to STOPOVERS and read the rules.

Some fares allow for no stopovers, others for one or two, some allow a stop over for an additional charge, and once in awhile, a fare will allow for unlimited stopovers.

It seems as though airlines are more likely to allow a free stopover in their hub city, but this isn't always the case.

Remember that all stopovers have to be "applicable to the routing." You can't stopover somewhere that you won't be connecting through and you can't generally fly too far out of the way in order to connect somewhere. The rules vary though. Just jump in and start to familiarize yourself with them.

2. Try to "force a stopover." If you arrive on the last flight in and the next flight out doesn't leave until tomorrow, you have just forced a stopover. If this is the case, the 4 hour/24 hour rule won't apply. In bigger airports/cities this is harder to do, but it is good to keep in your bag of tricks for those out of the way places.

Here are some specific examples where I have used stopovers to my benefit.

1. I have good friends in MSP. I fly NW and get a free stopover there regularly. In fact, sometimes I really just want to go see them, but I will book a flight ANC-MSP-??? that is cheaper than ANC-MSP. I get to stop over and see my friends, I get some extra miles out of the deal, and it actually costs less.

2. Flying from LAX to CGK (Jakarta) is long and tiring. Sometimes I can take a free stopover in TPE (Taipei). I spend the night in a hotel near the airport and feel much more refreshed. I once took a 2 day stopover so I could look around Taipei a bit. I did the same thing flying between LAX and CGK connecting through HKG (Hong Kong.) What a great way to relax/vacation at little additional cost! Remember, even if the fare rules don't allow for a stopover, you still get to stop for up to 23 hours and 59 minutes before it's considered a "stopover."

3. Continental Micronesia "hops" around several South Pacific islands. Some of these islands only get serviced once every couple of days. If you like to SCUBA dive or relax in the sun, why not arrange a stopover! Even if stopovers aren't allowed in the fare rules, remember that you might be able to "force" a stopover or to just simply stay over for up to 23 hours.

Some final thoughts:

1. Read the fare rules!

2. Remember that stopovers are more likely (although not exclusively) allowed in hub cities. Know which airlines have hubs in given cities. If you are flying domestically and want to stop in LAS (Las Vegas) look to HP (America West). If you are flying domestically and have always wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge, look to UA (United) in SFO (San Francisco.) If you are flying to Asia and want to see TOY (Tokyo) look to fly NW (Northwest). Remember that most Asian airlines are owned by their respective goverments and obviously "hub" in their capital cities. Fly KL (Korean Airlines) to see Seoul or SQ (Singapore Airlines) if you want to see SIN (Singapore.)

2. Some countries/destinations do not require a visa for transit passengers but if you are stopping over (or leaving the airport for any reason) they may require one. Keep that in mind, and check into the rules. This State Dept. website is a good place to find visa details.

3. Forcing stopovers may be the only practical way to see some locations where getting a tourist visa is next to impossible. (Saudi Arabia comes to mind.)

Your comments, criticisms, and additions are welcomed. -eastwest http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by eastwest (edited 12-10-2001).]

Thanks for the interesting read eastwest http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

When I travel I am out for 2 weeks at a time, so sometimes I plan a little trip for the weekend, if needed a mileage run http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

How do you book a ticket online with stopovers, though? That's one thing I've never figured out. Can you do this using the 'detailed itinerary' forms like delta.com has, where you enter the exact times you want each leg of your flight to have?

Good tips. One comment and a question.

First the comment:

Just a reminder that you have to be careful on this one. Generally OK to fly after 12 hours on a shallow dive, but deep dives that require decompression mean at least 24-hour wait before getting on an airplane.

Now the question:

You mentioned getting to perhaps see Saudi Arabia on a stopover without a tourist visa. Is this really possible? Will you be able to get out of the airport?

ebell
I don't know of a way to book a ticket online with stopovers. I figure that forfeiting the 1000 mile bonus is generally worth the stopover, though.

letiole
Taken from Lonely Planet:
"Visas: There is no such thing as a tourist visa for Saudi Arabia. You can enter the country with a visitor's transit or (if you're Muslim) hajj or umrah visa. To get a visitor's visa you will have to be sponsored by a Saudi individual or company. Another option is a 24 or 48-hour transit visa - to get one you have to prove that you had no choice other than to stop-over in Saudi Arabia en route to your final destination. You can now also visit the country as a non-Muslim if you join an approved (and expensive - US$5000 plus) organised tour."

I found a contact number for Saudi Airlines in the United States. I'll give them a call tomorrow and try to find out some particulars.



[This message has been edited by eastwest (edited 12-11-2001).]

I've just bookmarked this thread. Thank you eastwest!!

Some more info about transit visa's in Saudi Arabia.

"It's almost impossible to get a visa, unless you're a Muslim who wants to come for the Hajj or you get a business invitation. One way to get into Saudi Arabia is by transit visa, it's possible to get one in Massawa Eritrea , in order to go by sea to Egypt, first you take the ferry to Jeddah Saudi Arabia and from there to Suez Egypt. Also it's possible to get a transit visa if you want to go from the gulf countries to Jordan."

"Road Transit Visas

These are relatively straightforward. People driving between Jordan and either Yemen or Kuwait are normally given three-day transit visas. These are usually issued only by the embassies in Amman or Sana'a. You are required to go to the embassy with your carnet and a visa for the country at the other end of the trip.

People driving between Bahrain, Qatar or the UAE and Jordan are often given seven-day transit visas.

People driving between Oman and Jordan are required to get the transit visa in Abu Dhabi."

"However, bear in mind that all of this information is unreliable, as it appears to be the Saudi nature that there are no hard and fast rules regarding transit visas. Stories are legion of individuals who obtain visas in their country of origin only to find them invalid at the Saudi border, or who arrive at the Saudi border having been instructed by their local Saudi embassy that this is the appropriate place to source a transit visa, only to be told that only an embassy can issue a transit visa. The basic rule, then, is to double-check all of your facts with your local Saudi embassy and, if possible, with the authorities in Saudi Arabia."

"Persons holding a 3 day transit visa may be hosted by the transporting carrier in a hotel until the departure of their connecting flight."

"Entry and transit is refused to:
1) Holders of Israeli passports or passports valid for Israel and containing a visa, either valid or expired, or any indication that the passenger has been in Israel
2) Persons arriving in an apparent intoxicated state
3) Persons not complying with Saudi Arabian requirements regarding general appearance and behaviour."

"Transit visas for 24 to 48 hours are granted to passengers passing through Saudi Airports. These will be issued only if passengers can prove that they have no option besides stopping at Saudi Arabia en route to their final destination. However passports have to be surrendered at the airport when receiving this visa. Transit visa passengers are not permitted to leave the airport and have to collect their passports from the immigration authorities on their way out."

"Persons with Jewish names may be denied any type of visa."

As you can see, I found plenty of conflicting information. It piques my curiousity though, and makes me want to go all the more. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

From what I can understand, you cannot visit Saudi Arabia as a regular tourist but have to try hard (transit, package tour etc.). Things are tough if you are a non-Muslim. A number of the 9-11 fanatics had Saudi passports. Why are Visa arrangements between the US and Saudis not reciprocal? If we are so unwanted in their country why can they come at will??

I have always been a big fan of stopovers. Most airlines will also give you one on FF-award tickets, don't forget. A favorite combination I used to do on Delta was to see a city in mid-America like Kansas City (with LOW weekend hotel and car rates) as a stopover to Las Vegas, where the low costs are during the week.

Airlines won't volunteer the info about stopovers, though. You have to propose something specific to get them to work with you on booking the award trips.

Thanks for all your research eastwest. Yes, anything "forbidden" piques my interest too. Same was true with Ni'ihau - the forbidden Hawaiian island ... but now they let you go there and it's actually not that great, from what I hear.

eastwest , I have nothing of substance to add to the intl side, having never flown internationally yet. I have found on UA that sometimes you have to keep trying to get a res agent who understands the notion of the "unintentional" last-flight-in-one-day first-flight-out-next-day and gives the correct fare.

[GRAMMAR POLICE ON] But mostly I just want to say that I'm delighted to find someone who who knows that the word is "pique" not "peak" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I'll bet you even know it's " flout the rules" not " flaunt the rules." [GRAMMAR POLICE OFF]

Of course I could brag about my exemption or disobedience, in which case I'd be flaunting my flouting of the rules! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I remember having bought a last in--first out next AM ticket because I needed a day in the CX city. Then I flew home in PM under the same-day standby rule.

Best LEGAL stopover: An AAdvantage award allows a 'stopover' anywhere in the USA, plus one open-jaw, e.g.:
BOS-ord-YYC
YYC-ord-JFK
JFK-LAX.
This would be useful for a New Yorker who wanted to go to Boston (by ground) and Calgary on the same trip & squeeze an extra 1way to Los Angeles for a future trip out of one award. AA will actually let us use JFK as a 'stopover' from Calgary to Los Angeles! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Wasn't there talk a few months ago, somewhere on FT, of a Las Vegas rule that any passenger going through LAS had to be permitted to stopover there?

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Middle_Seat

At least National Airlines allow free stopover at Las Vegas, its hub on all of its tickets.

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ValueConsumer.com Home of Tripple Dipping Online Shopping

I am digging through fare rules for more info about stopping over in LAS and will update the original post. I really appreciate everyones tips and comments. Please keep them coming. I think this guide will be a nice helpmate for our newer FT'ers.