Int'l Award Stopovers
May 11, 2007, 8:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 163
Int'l Award Stopovers
I will be booking an award ticket from PDX to NBO (or nearby areas).
What are my options for layovers in the US (at DTW), and in Europe? Can I do both in one direction?
Will a layover not count if it's less than 24 hrs?
How many connections allowed?
If I needed to, due to availability, am I allowed to connect from one city (BRU) to another (AMS) going in one direction?
Will the above options be more limited if I fly into NBO and out of a neighboring country?
What are my options for layovers in the US (at DTW), and in Europe? Can I do both in one direction?
Will a layover not count if it's less than 24 hrs?
How many connections allowed?
If I needed to, due to availability, am I allowed to connect from one city (BRU) to another (AMS) going in one direction?
Will the above options be more limited if I fly into NBO and out of a neighboring country?
May 11, 2007, 1:31 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I will be booking an award ticket from PDX to NBO (or nearby areas).
What are my options for layovers in the US (at DTW), and in Europe? Can I do both in one direction?
Will a layover not count if it's less than 24 hrs?
How many connections allowed?
If I needed to, due to availability, am I allowed to connect from one city (BRU) to another (AMS) going in one direction?
Will the above options be more limited if I fly into NBO and out of a neighboring country?
What are my options for layovers in the US (at DTW), and in Europe? Can I do both in one direction?
Will a layover not count if it's less than 24 hrs?
How many connections allowed?
If I needed to, due to availability, am I allowed to connect from one city (BRU) to another (AMS) going in one direction?
Will the above options be more limited if I fly into NBO and out of a neighboring country?
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/travel/openjaw.shtml
The key: ONE stopover per RT and I believe it must be on a valid routing.
So, PDX-MSP (stopover) - AMS-NBO would work, but PDX-MSP-Des Moines (stopover) -DTW-AMS-NBO would not.
If you can't hit BRU on a layover (as I suspect you can't) consider using the Thalys high speed train.
You may have both a stopover and an open jaw but only on international itineraries as noted in the link.
Last edited by 3Cforme; May 11, 2007 at 4:26 pm
May 11, 2007, 3:25 pm
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
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Posts: 11,938
This will tell you what you need to know. It was well buried.
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/travel/openjaw.shtml
So, PDX-MSP (stopover) - AMS-NBO would work, but PDX-MSP-Des Moines (stopover) -DTW-AMS-NBO would not.
http://www.nwa.com/worldperks/travel/openjaw.shtml
So, PDX-MSP (stopover) - AMS-NBO would work, but PDX-MSP-Des Moines (stopover) -DTW-AMS-NBO would not.
May 11, 2007, 3:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
I've had no problem getting stopovers on international awards in cities that are not "NW and partner hubs". That phrase is entirely up to interpretation in my experience.
I've simply found, in my experience, that statement to be incorrect.
May 11, 2007, 3:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 3,395
You are allowed both ONE stopover and ONE open jaw. So if you wanted to fly PDX-MSP (Stopover)-AMS-NBO on NW/KL and DKR-ATL-PDX on DL, that would be fine. (assuming there is availability). I thought the rule was that the stopover had to be a hub as well, but that may or may not be accurate. I know I was unable to get NWA.com to price out a MSP-DSM (stopover)-AMS-MSP flight award flight, but that does not necessary mean it is impossible. You should probably pay the 15 bucks and call NW.
May 11, 2007, 3:43 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 163
Thanks
The link is very helpful. So I could do a few days stopover at DTW AND 23 hrs. in Europe, right? Only question not answered is if I can put a short land portion between 2 cities in Europe. This is not an open jaw as my destination is Africa. Since connections such as ORD to MDW are allowed, maybe something between 2 cities in Europe is allowed. I am guessing such a thing is just too much to hope for.
May 11, 2007, 4:25 pm
#8
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May 11, 2007, 5:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,686
Steve
May 11, 2007, 7:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
Define "hub".
I've never had a problem getting a stopover when I've asked for cities other than DTW/MEM/MSP. Since those are the only "hubs", I have to assume that the "rule" is up for interpretation. How many times does it take for an "error" to become "interpretation"?
I've never had a problem getting a stopover when I've asked for cities other than DTW/MEM/MSP. Since those are the only "hubs", I have to assume that the "rule" is up for interpretation. How many times does it take for an "error" to become "interpretation"?
May 11, 2007, 9:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, UA, AA, DL, BA, CX
Posts: 491
I have nice surprise from NW's international stopover too. I booked a ticket for a friend from TPE to LAS for a visit and was able to let him use BWI as a stopover. Although MDT and BWI are only 2 hr away, I was told that MDT was not a valid stopover. Not sure how they set the rule, but there are definately some flexabilities on stopover cities.