Is a stopover allowed on a one way award ticket? TravelSort reader Matt writes “Which frequent flyer programs allow a stopover on a one way award ticket? I rarely book round trip awards for my partner and me, since I found that award space for two often disappears on my outbound preferred date while waiting to book the return. But we'd like to see another city or two, so are very interested in award tickets that allow a stopover even on a one way award.”
Great question, Matt. While most frequent flyer programs only permit a stopover on a round trip award ticket, there are some that allow for a stopover on a one way. Here are my picks, followed by other ideas for seeing another city in addition to your destination. Note that American Airlines no longer permits a stopover at an international gateway city in the U.S., as it used to, and AA also eliminated AAddvantage Explorer Awards, which used to be a great way of including many stopovers on an award (see No More AA Free One Ways or Explorer Awards)
Frequent Flyer Programs Allowing a Stopover on a One Way Award Ticket
1. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan tops my list of airline frequent flyer programs that permit a stopover on a one way, thanks to Alaska's great partners, including Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Korean Air, Emirates and others. Note that the stopover would be at the partner's hub, e.g. Hong Kong for Cathay Pacific, Seoul for Korean Air, Dubai for Emirates, London for British Airways.
As an example, you could use 70,000 Alaska Miles to fly Cathay Pacific First Class (or 62,500 for Cathay Pacific Business Class) from the U.S. to Johannesburg, South Africa, with a stopover for several days in Hong Kong. Where to stay? I highly recommend the Four Seasons Hong Kong (pictured above), booked as a TravelSort Client to include Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits.
2. Korean Airlines: Seoul ICN Only
One stopover is allowed on a one way ticket for Korean Air awards only (not Skypass awards) and the stopover must be in Seoul ICN.
3. Thai Airways
“International award travel within zones 1-6 allows one stopover in each direction between origin and destination without fees.”
4. Singapore Airlines: Standard Award Level Only, Plus $100
Singapore KrisFlyer Saver awards (which, when booked online, offer a 15% discount in miles required) do not allow a stopover on one way awards (although one stopover is permitted for a round trip saver award). If you book a KrisFlyer Standard or Full award, however, you can include a stopover for $100 on a one way award.
5. Emirates: Flex Award Level Only
Emirates Skywards one way awards must be booked as a Flex Reward (no Saver Reward available for one way awards) and an Emirates One Way Flex Award does allow one stopover en route, with no backtracking (“your journey must take place in one continuous direction.”)
Other Strategies for a Stopover
1. Stop for Less Than 24 Hours
A stopover under 24 hours can be included even with frequent flyer programs that don't permit a stopover of 24 hours or more on a one way award. While it may not sound like much, if you can find flights that give you close to 1 day in a city, it's still enough to get a flavor of the place and decide if you'd like to come back for more on a future trip.
2. Use Different Award Miles
Consider booking the longest flights in your itinerary with the cheapest award chart, say American AAdvantage miles, then short haul using a distance based chart, such as British Airways Avios. Sure, technically this is two awards, not one, but depending on the distance and if you're willing to fly economy on the short haul, it may not be many more miles, and does enable you to build in a long stopover.
3. Cheap Low Cost Carrier Flights from Your Destination
Depending on your destination, there may be cheap low cost carrier flights to nearby cities that work out to be better value than using miles.
What are your favorite frequent flyer programs and strategies for a stopover on a one way award ticket?
Related Posts
No More AA Free One Ways or Explorer Awards
Alaska Airlines: Some One Way and Mixed Partner Awards Now Available
Maximizing the Value of Your Award Ticket with Stopovers and Open Jaws
One Way vs. Roundtrip Award Tickets
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Photo: Four Seasons Hong Kong