Airline stopover programs (more than 2 days)

Posted by Mardee (Duluth 🛶 ) on 09/19/24 07:23 PM

I just got an email from Retirement Travelers, a YouTube wife and husband who are spending their retirement traveling around the world. I think Tammy was the one who first recommended them to me. They have lots of good ideas and videos.

Anyway, they just posted a article listing 26 airlines that offer free long-term stopovers when you book with them. The stopovers start at 2 nights but most are more than 7 nights, some go from 3-6 months and one has no time limit. Some are advertised, but many are not. The article gave me some great ideas for future trips!

https://retirementtravelers.com/the-airlines-that-allow-free-stopovers

Posted by Barkinpark

Bay Area, California

09/20/24 01:08 AM

1632 posts

Thanks for the post.

Bear in mind that some of these airlines jack up the fare first and then give you a "free" stopover. TP is one of these, unfortunately.

Posted by Mardee OP

Duluth 🛶

09/20/24 11:46 AM

7966 posts

That's interesting, Barkinpark. I really don't know much about these. The only stopover program I know of is Icelandair, although I did take advantage of WOW Airlines' (now defunct) program pre-Covid to stopover in Iceland. Still, as long as you're aware of restrictions and the price is right, it seems like a good deal.. :-)

Posted by William

New Jersey

09/20/24 03:31 PM

17 posts

China is implementing a similar 144 hour visa-free stopover/transit policy nationwide to boost post-Covid tourism. More info here:

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-resumes-144-hour-visa-free-transit-policy-for-foreigners-who-can-apply/

For US passport holders, this appears to apply to any airline arriving/departing at any of the eligible cities, but you must show proof of an onward ticket to a 3rd country.

Posted by S J

Western Canada

09/20/24 04:29 PM

3479 posts

Thanks!
I’ve done the Iceland Air one a few years ago, just for four days, but well worth it.

Posted by Lane

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

09/20/24 07:21 PM

1923 posts

Bear in mind that some of these airlines jack up the fare first and then give you a "free" stopover.

Pricing airfare, as we all know, is incredibly complicated. But market forces largely dictate prices. Airlines can't just jack up fares unless they have no competition on a route.

I believe most of these free stopovers are subsidized by the government. In fact, most of the airlines listed in the article Mardee links to are national airlines owned by the government. They get a benefit by providing the free stopover because they know we'll spend money on the ground.

Barkinpark, how do you know TAP has jacked up prices overall to support the free stopover program?

Posted by Barkinpark

Bay Area, California

09/21/24 01:47 PM

1632 posts

I tried getting a free stopover at Lisbon many times with TP, but the fare always goes up substantially after a stop is selected. Then, I posted about this in the Flyertalk forum and all the experts confirmed this.

BTW, Japan Airlines now allows one to add a domestic leg for free (truly free) if you book a flight with them directly to Japan. That's good news.