Getting a Bonus Vacation Destination for Free with Stopovers: Non-European Carriers

In early August, I wrote a post about European carriers who offer free stopovers and how this option can give travelers a chance to see a city or country they might not otherwise have visited. (https://www.travelrewardsoptimizer.com/using-stopovers-to-add-a-second-vacation-destination-europe) For this post, I would like to focus on non-European carriers that are also based outside of the contiguous 48 states. As in the earlier post, stopovers are defined as gaps between flights that allow enough time to leave the airport and explore the city.

The offer of a stopover for many of the carriers I will mention might be especially welcome for those traveling between the United States and the Asia/Pacific region since these itineraries can often link two long and grueling flights.

It is certainly easy to create your own stopovers by simply booking a round trip to the stopover city and a second round trip between the stopover city and your ultimate destination city. Of course, the two round trips are highly likely to cost more than the round trip that would take you directly to your final destination. Also, using two round trips would require that you undergo an extra round of picking up your baggage, rechecking baggage, and getting through security. Also, if your first flight is late or there are other issues (E.g., lost luggage), there will be an impact on the second flight which is on a different reservation.
 
Fortunately, many carriers with flights to Europe offer stopovers as part of a seamless itinerary. With one reservation, you can stop off in a hub city for one or more days and then continue to your ultimate destination. You can also take advantage of a stopover during your return trip. Many carriers offer this stopover option at no extra charge and some even offer very attractive incentives for you to spend a bit more time in their country.

Emirates: Dubai, UAE

• You can book stopovers with the multi-city booking page
• Emirates can assist with arranging discounted accommodations, meals, and visas

Qatar: Doha, Qatar

• You can book stopovers with the multi-city booking page
• The airline offers large discounts on tourist packages
• If you come from a country requiring a visa, you can apply for a free transit visa

Etihad: Abu Dhabi, UAE

• Stopovers can last up to four days
• Etihad offers free or discounted accommodations

Oman Air: Muscat, Oman

• Stopovers can be 1-3 nights
• Oman Air offers hotel discounts
• There is a free city tour if your stopover is at least eight hours

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• If you have a long layover with no connection to your final destination, Ethiopian Airlines will arrange hotel, airport transportation, and transit visa for free

Japan Airlines: Tokyo or Osaka, Japan

• You can book stopovers with the multi-city booking page

China Southern / Air China: 32 Cities

• The stopover can be taken at 32 cities in China
• No visa is needed for travelers from 53 countries
• Stopovers can be up to 144 hours (6 days)

Singapore Airlines: Singapore

• You can book stopovers with the multi-city booking page
• Stopovers must be at least 24 hours
• There are discounts on packages
• You must pay $100 for the stopover if traveling on a free ticket or a saver ticket

Copa Airlines: Panama City

• Stopovers can be 1-7 days
• Hotel discounts

Avianca: Bogota, Columbia

• There is a 24-hour limit

Air Canada: Toronto

• Stopovers can be up to 48 hours

Hawaiian Airlines

• You can book stopovers with the multi-city booking page
• This is not a formal program

So, when thinking about future international travel, consider breaking up your trip with a little beach time in Hawaii or a chance to see the Panama Canal or the Great Wall of China.

How would you take advantage of these stopover opportunities?

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