Stopover policy
 

I understand if I visit a city less than 24 hours, that does not consider as a stopover.

e.g. SFO - NRT - HKG (staying overnight in Tokyo for a meal with friends and I have no stopover option left in the itinerary.)
Must I check my luggage via to HKG from SFO? Or can I have my luggage with me in Tokyo hotel?

I've never had a problem asking for my luggage to be checked just as far as NRT in a situation such as yours, even if they issue you the onward NRT-HKG boarding pass.

And welcome to Flyer Talk!

Not with all fares and/or awards. It depends on what the rules are on your particular ticket. I would check with the issuer to make sure that it's 24 hours if you're not sure.

Most oneWORLD rules allow up to 24 hours for an International transit. ANy longer, it is considered a stopover.

On a DONE4 in October, I arrived in HKG ~10pm, slept in town overnight and departed the next evening at ~9pm. This was -NRT-xHKG-AKL- . i.e. A Transit.

I have a oneworld award coming up in march and was able to time the AA flight JFK-LAX to arrive 18 minutes after the QF LAX-BNE flight departs.The 23 hours 42 minutes in LAX is counted as transit not a stopover.

Which airline's miles did you use for this award? Policies can differ from airline to airline for oneworld awards.

This one was using qf points.AA not as lenient but when only possible connection is less than 24 hours but over 6 they usually at least listen.I am about to try with AA points for later in year so will let you know.

24 hours ok
 

I have a OW award tix for travel next month where we are going SYD-MEL-NRT-LAX-BOS, with short stopovers in MEL and LAX, and a 23 hour stopover in NRT. My understanding is that it counts as SYD-BOS great circle distance in terms of mileage. In fact I attempted at one point to move the MEL flight a day later, and it caused the mileage required to jump!

The 24 hour rule certainly applies if you have no other option to get out sooner. I'm not sure if it is legal if there is a possible connection within 4hrs. See the FAQ sticky.

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I have just done my oneworld award this time using AA points.Although a break of 18 hours in NRT on way to the USA it was not counted as a stopover.This allowed me to stop over in NRT on the way home.
The hardest part of arranging a oneworld award through Aa was trying to get a QF flight.Although through QF there were plenty of award seats in business class to HKG or NRT,none were available to use as an AA award.
I must say however it was a pleasure dealing with AA who went out of their way trying to get around the difficulties and keeping the mileage to what I was able to afford-only had enough points for a 2500 mile award. ^