Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Presented as Q&A format (Originally posted by Alex_B)
Q: What is a stopover?
A: A stopover on an international itinerary is any break in your air travel for more than 24 hours except at the destination.
Q: What is an open-jaw?
A: An open-jaw is where you travel by your own means (either land, sea or a separate air ticket) between two points in a journey.
Q: How many stopovers am I allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: One stopover, in addition to the destination, is permitted (an unlimited number of stops less than 24hours is allowable).
Q: How many open-jaws are allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: Two open-jaws are permitted. These must be at the stopover, destination or origin.
Q: Can I have a stopover or open-jaw on a one-way award?
A: No
Q: Can I have a open-jaw at both the stopover and destination?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this
Q: Can I transit my destination multiple times (e.g. fly to JNB, fly to CPT and then return home via JNB)?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this. You can only stop in your destination for > 24 hours once though.
Q: Can I cross both oceans?
A: Yes. The rule that prohibited crossing both oceans appears to have been removed from both MP and *A award rules. There are many many successful examples of people booking these itineraries.
Q: Is EWR-PVG transatlantic or transpacific?
A: US-East Asia/South East Asia is always transpacific no matter what geography might suggest.
Q: Do I pay more for a stopover or open-jaw?
A: Typically no additional mileage is required but additional taxes or fees are often payable (especially in UK with high Air Passenger Duty). Extra mileage will often be required if an open-jaw or stopover adds a higher cost region into the itinerary. Also awards wholly within CONUS, Canada and Alaska (formerly known as Series 0 awards) require additional mileage (10K miles) for a stopover of >4 hrs.
Q: What's this about a free one-way I can get on awards?
A: The concept of free one-ways is a misnomer and often confuses people, it is better to consider it a stopover in the city of origin. If you have a simple roundtrip award without a stopover, you can often create a stopover and open-jaw at your origin on the return leg to add an addition flight. E.g. I wish to book EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR which is a roundtrip US-Europe award. I could also book this as EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR (stopover)-SFO for the same mileage (and a few dollars of extra tax). The EWR segment would need to be within 330 days of booking and would be subject to the usual change fees.
Other notes:
Seeing your fare construction on an already booked award ticket:
In order to see your award fare construction to see where your stopovers and destination are, follow these steps.
Go to http://www.saudiairlines.com/
Then hit "Manage My Bookings" and select "E-Ticket"
Enter your UA ticket number (hint: 016 will go in the first box, and then everything else in the second box). Then your last name and hit "Retrieve My Booking". On the next page you'll see a line like this under "Fare Calculation":
CHI LH X/FRA LH ROM0.00CSM/YB52 /- FLR LH X/FRA LH X/DUS LH CHI UA SEA
This example is:
ORD-FRA-FCO
Open Jaw at Destination
FLR-FRA-DUS-ORD
Stopover at origin
ORD-SEA
Q: What is a stopover?
A: A stopover on an international itinerary is any break in your air travel for more than 24 hours except at the destination.
Q: What is an open-jaw?
A: An open-jaw is where you travel by your own means (either land, sea or a separate air ticket) between two points in a journey.
Q: How many stopovers am I allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: One stopover, in addition to the destination, is permitted (an unlimited number of stops less than 24hours is allowable).
Q: How many open-jaws are allowed on a roundtrip award?
A: Two open-jaws are permitted. These must be at the stopover, destination or origin.
Q: Can I have a stopover or open-jaw on a one-way award?
A: No
Q: Can I have a open-jaw at both the stopover and destination?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this
Q: Can I transit my destination multiple times (e.g. fly to JNB, fly to CPT and then return home via JNB)?
A: Yes, plenty of posters have reported success in booking this. You can only stop in your destination for > 24 hours once though.
Q: Can I cross both oceans?
A: Yes. The rule that prohibited crossing both oceans appears to have been removed from both MP and *A award rules. There are many many successful examples of people booking these itineraries.
Q: Is EWR-PVG transatlantic or transpacific?
A: US-East Asia/South East Asia is always transpacific no matter what geography might suggest.
Q: Do I pay more for a stopover or open-jaw?
A: Typically no additional mileage is required but additional taxes or fees are often payable (especially in UK with high Air Passenger Duty). Extra mileage will often be required if an open-jaw or stopover adds a higher cost region into the itinerary. Also awards wholly within CONUS, Canada and Alaska (formerly known as Series 0 awards) require additional mileage (10K miles) for a stopover of >4 hrs.
Q: What's this about a free one-way I can get on awards?
A: The concept of free one-ways is a misnomer and often confuses people, it is better to consider it a stopover in the city of origin. If you have a simple roundtrip award without a stopover, you can often create a stopover and open-jaw at your origin on the return leg to add an addition flight. E.g. I wish to book EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR which is a roundtrip US-Europe award. I could also book this as EWR-LHR (destination)-EWR (stopover)-SFO for the same mileage (and a few dollars of extra tax). The EWR segment would need to be within 330 days of booking and would be subject to the usual change fees.
Other notes:
- The open-jaw portion must be smaller (in miles) than any other leg. -While technically true for revenue fare construction this is not strictly enforced on awards.
- For awards between CONUS/Canada/Alaska and South Asia award regions the maximum number of segments is 5 segments each way on a round-trip and 4 segments on a one-way. (Note that many FTers report recently being read a memo that imposes an eight segment maximum on a roundtrip (4 each way). It is unclear whether this eight-segment maximum is limited to South Asia routings through Europe or North Asia, or has broader application.)
- Stopovers and open-jaws are NOT additive. You do not get extra stops included in your itinerary simply by making an open-jaw out of it.
Seeing your fare construction on an already booked award ticket:
In order to see your award fare construction to see where your stopovers and destination are, follow these steps.
Go to http://www.saudiairlines.com/
Then hit "Manage My Bookings" and select "E-Ticket"
Enter your UA ticket number (hint: 016 will go in the first box, and then everything else in the second box). Then your last name and hit "Retrieve My Booking". On the next page you'll see a line like this under "Fare Calculation":
CHI LH X/FRA LH ROM0.00CSM/YB52 /- FLR LH X/FRA LH X/DUS LH CHI UA SEA
This example is:
ORD-FRA-FCO
Open Jaw at Destination
FLR-FRA-DUS-ORD
Stopover at origin
ORD-SEA
Rules for Open Jaw & Stopover Award Flights (Consolidated)
#481
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 887
Start the framework online, put it on hold ( get to payment screen and pick cash/western union). Call UA, tell them you want to change some flights. They will see leg by leg award availability as well. If they don't, put those legs on hold and build the other legs around them when on the phone with them. Make sense? Easily doable just takes a bit of time on the phone. Good luck! BTW, the thread below has good information and is the better place to post this question.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...solidated.html
#482
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
I'm super stuck:
Booked a SJC-HKT OJ USM-LAX STOP LAX-BUF on united.com and called in and made changes. All flights are correct but they can't "get it to ticket"
As it stands it is:
LAX-SJC-NRT-BKK-HKT (Dest)
USM-BKK-ICN-LAX (STOP)
LAX-CLT-BUF (dest)
I'm about 6 phone calls into United and can't get anyone to tell me why it won't ticket. They've given me every possible excuse, from no stopovers are allowed, to the fact that my 15 hour connection NRT-BKK is a second stopover. The latest is that this is 2 OJ and a stopover and that is not allowed. I've talked to Supervisors, and they've talked to "level 3." Can someone else verify the route is legal? I'm starting to doubt it myself!
Booked a SJC-HKT OJ USM-LAX STOP LAX-BUF on united.com and called in and made changes. All flights are correct but they can't "get it to ticket"
As it stands it is:
LAX-SJC-NRT-BKK-HKT (Dest)
USM-BKK-ICN-LAX (STOP)
LAX-CLT-BUF (dest)
I'm about 6 phone calls into United and can't get anyone to tell me why it won't ticket. They've given me every possible excuse, from no stopovers are allowed, to the fact that my 15 hour connection NRT-BKK is a second stopover. The latest is that this is 2 OJ and a stopover and that is not allowed. I've talked to Supervisors, and they've talked to "level 3." Can someone else verify the route is legal? I'm starting to doubt it myself!
#483
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
This sounds very similar to my recent experience of BKK-HKG (dest)-SIN-BKK which was ticketed wihtout problem, but when I attempted to add BKK-CNX at a later date, thereby creating a stopover at the origin, nobody could ticket it.
Is it ticketable if you originate in SBA? Thereby eliminating the SO/OJ at your origin.
#484
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
This sounds very similar to my recent experience of BKK-HKG (dest)-SIN-BKK which was ticketed wihtout problem, but when I attempted to add BKK-CNX at a later date, thereby creating a stopover at the origin, nobody could ticket it.
Is it ticketable if you originate in SBA? Thereby eliminating the SO/OJ at your origin.
Is it ticketable if you originate in SBA? Thereby eliminating the SO/OJ at your origin.
It is definately tickatable if I remove LAX and go SJO-NRT-BKK-HKT Stop USM-BKK-ICN-LAX Stop LAX-CLT-BUF. I think you're right--it is the stopover at the origin + the 2 OJ's that are causing the issue.
For those interested:
I modified to LAX-SJO-NRT-BKK-KBV Stop KBV-BKK-ICN-LAX STOP LAX-CLT-BUF and it ticketed. I ticketed it this way. Thanks for the advice dsquared. I've learned what should be possible and what are possible are two different ideas with United.
#485
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: All of 'em
Posts: 438
This is a slight repost from a different thread, but this is the proper place for it.
Is this routing valid?
TLV - NYC - CLE (Destination)
CLE - NYC - TLV (SO)
TLV - IST - BKK (OJ)
I have 2 reservations. One was ticketed, and the second they said is invalid and they noted my PNR.
Thanks
Is this routing valid?
TLV - NYC - CLE (Destination)
CLE - NYC - TLV (SO)
TLV - IST - BKK (OJ)
I have 2 reservations. One was ticketed, and the second they said is invalid and they noted my PNR.
Thanks
#488
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cedarhurst, NY
Posts: 91
Can someone please help me with a routing?
Is this legal? I'm having trouble booking on UA.com in business class.
JFK-MXP (destination)
MXP-EWR (stopover)
JFK-LAX
If that is not an option I can do
JFK-MXP
MXP-JFK
JFK-LAX
or even
JFK-MXP
MXP-EWR
EWR-LAX (is it an issue that there is only F and no J on this route?)
Thanks in advance!
Is this legal? I'm having trouble booking on UA.com in business class.
JFK-MXP (destination)
MXP-EWR (stopover)
JFK-LAX
If that is not an option I can do
JFK-MXP
MXP-JFK
JFK-LAX
or even
JFK-MXP
MXP-EWR
EWR-LAX (is it an issue that there is only F and no J on this route?)
Thanks in advance!
#489
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 328
Can someone please help me with a routing?
Is this legal? I'm having trouble booking on UA.com in business class.
JFK-MXP (destination)
MXP-EWR (stopover)
JFK-LAX
If that is not an option I can do
JFK-MXP
MXP-JFK
JFK-LAX
or even
JFK-MXP
MXP-EWR
EWR-LAX (is it an issue that there is only F and no J on this route?)
Thanks in advance!
Is this legal? I'm having trouble booking on UA.com in business class.
JFK-MXP (destination)
MXP-EWR (stopover)
JFK-LAX
If that is not an option I can do
JFK-MXP
MXP-JFK
JFK-LAX
or even
JFK-MXP
MXP-EWR
EWR-LAX (is it an issue that there is only F and no J on this route?)
Thanks in advance!
#490
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cedarhurst, NY
Posts: 91
Is there a chance the results will be different over the phone?
I already have the LAX-JFK one way booked using Lifemiles. Maybe I'll go through the hassle of canceling it to get all the flights I need for a flat 100k miles.
#491
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 328
I'm not sure I've seen many success stories, but people can correct me if I'm wrong!
#493
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 198
Stopovers on *A (SK) using UA miles?
Am taking my son from here at home (IAD) to London for a Senior trip in March, and returning from Paris, after spending a short visit there, (mostly to avoid the UK fees when flying back from LHR!)
For the return from Paris, there's biz class award space on SK via CPH, on a very early morning flight from CDG. Is there anyway to get an overnight in CPH so we can spend the day exploring a city we likely won't have much opportunity to see at another time?
I thought for sure business class allowed a stopover.
Not sure if it matters, but I am a UA 1K, and will be using miles exclusively.
Thanks!
For the return from Paris, there's biz class award space on SK via CPH, on a very early morning flight from CDG. Is there anyway to get an overnight in CPH so we can spend the day exploring a city we likely won't have much opportunity to see at another time?
I thought for sure business class allowed a stopover.
Not sure if it matters, but I am a UA 1K, and will be using miles exclusively.
Thanks!
Last edited by deuce1; Jan 5, 2013 at 1:06 pm
#494
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,108
short answer yes.
On a RT award ticket (any cabin) you can have one destination and 1 stopover ( and 2 Open Jaw). The stopover allows >24 hour connection
For others, since not applicable in this case, but on domestic only trips there is a high mileage level for trips with stopover.
As an 1K, there will be the potential for better award inventory on UA operated flights and award change fees are waived.
potential helpful thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...solidated.html
On a RT award ticket (any cabin) you can have one destination and 1 stopover ( and 2 Open Jaw). The stopover allows >24 hour connection
For others, since not applicable in this case, but on domestic only trips there is a high mileage level for trips with stopover.
As an 1K, there will be the potential for better award inventory on UA operated flights and award change fees are waived.
potential helpful thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...solidated.html
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 5, 2013 at 4:55 pm Reason: added link
#495
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Winchester VA
Programs: UA 1K; AA Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 198
My plan is two one-way awards (IAD-LHR, and CDG-CPH-IAD) vice the RT allowed in the rules; hence, my confusion.