How to Maximize Value with Airline Stopover Programs on Award Tickets

A stopover is an extended layover—typically more than 24 hours for international flights or more than 4 hours for domestic—that allows you to visit an intermediate city en route to your final destination without spending extra miles. When used strategically, stopovers can turn a simple round-trip award into a multi-city adventure, effectively giving you two or more destinations for the price of one. This guide covers the best frequent flyer programs for stopovers, how to combine them with open-jaw itineraries, and advanced tricks to maximize your miles.


What Are Airline Stopovers and Why They Matter

A stopover differs from a layover in duration and intent. While a layover is a brief connection (usually under 24 hours), a stopover is a deliberate break in your journey that can last days or even weeks. Airlines often allow stopovers on award tickets either for free or for a small mileage surcharge, making them one of the most powerful tools in the frequent flyer toolkit.

For example, flying from New York to Singapore with a stopover in Tokyo lets you explore Japan for several days before continuing to your final destination, all for the same miles as a direct round-trip. Some programs even permit multiple stopovers, opening up complex itineraries that would otherwise cost significantly more.

Key Definitions

• Stopover: A stop of more than 24 hours on an international itinerary (4+ hours domestic).
• Open-jaw: A ticket where you fly into one city and out of another, with a surface segment in between (e.g., NYC–London, Paris–NYC, with travel from London to Paris on your own).
• Free one-way: A stopover at your home airport on a round-trip award, effectively giving you a free flight back later (United Excursionist Perk is a famous example).

Best Frequent Flyer Programs for Stopovers in 2025

Stopover policies vary widely among airlines. Below is a comparison of some of the most generous programs as of 2025. Note that rules can change, so always verify before booking.

Data sourced from airline websites and frequent flyer forums, updated 2025.

How to Choose the Right Program

Your choice depends on your home airport, destination, and whether you can earn or transfer points to that program. For instance, Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Miles, making it accessible to many travelers. Alaska miles are harder to earn but incredibly valuable for premium cabins on partners like Japan Airlines.

Combining Stopovers with Open-Jaw Itineraries

An open-jaw itinerary occurs when you fly into one city and return from another. Combining a stopover with an open-jaw can create a trip that visits three or more destinations for the price of one award.

Example using Aeroplan:

• Outbound: New York (JFK) → Tokyo (NRT) with a stopover in Vancouver (YVR).
• Return: Seoul (ICN) → New York (JFK).
• Total miles: Same as a round-trip between North America and Asia (e.g., 75,000 points in economy).

You get to visit Vancouver, Tokyo, and Seoul, while only paying for the surface segment between Tokyo and Seoul (which can be a cheap cash flight or even a ferry).

Step-by-Step: Building a Multi-City Award

1. Identify your main destination and check which airlines fly there.
2. Look for intermediate hubs where you’d like to stop. For example, if flying to Southeast Asia on Singapore Airlines, you can stop in Singapore.
3. Check the program’s stopover rules—some require calling, others allow online booking.
4. Search segment by segment for availability, then call to piece together the itinerary.
5. Consider an open-jaw return from a different city to avoid backtracking.

Advanced Strategies to Maximize Value

The “Free One-Way” Trick

United’s Excursionist Perk is the most famous example. On a round-trip award, you can add a free one-way flight within a region. For instance:

• Fly from Chicago to Rome (outbound).
• Then from Paris to London (free one-way within Europe).
• Then from London back to Chicago (return).

The Paris–London leg costs zero additional miles. This works because the free segment must be in a different region than your origin.

Nesting Stopovers for Extended Travel

Some programs allow stopovers on both the outbound and return, effectively letting you visit two extra cities. ANA Mileage Club permits up to four stopovers on a round-trip, though all must be on ANA metal. This is perfect for a tour of Japan.

Using Partner Awards to Access More Stopover Options

Alaska Mileage Plan allows a free stopover even on partner awards. For example, you can fly from Los Angeles to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific with a stopover in Tokyo (if routing permits). This opens up countless possibilities, but you must call Alaska to book.

Positioning Flights to Optimize Stopovers

If your home airport doesn’t have award availability, consider a cheap cash flight to a major hub. For example, fly from Austin to Houston on a $49 ticket, then start your award from Houston with a stopover in Tokyo.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Fuel surcharges: Programs like British Airways pass on high carrier-imposed fees. Always check the total cost before booking.
• Married segment logic: Some airlines won’t show stopover availability online because they treat certain segments as married. Calling can often solve this.
• Change fees: If you need to modify a stopover later, fees can be steep. Book with programs that offer flexible change policies (e.g., Aeroplan charges a fee but allows changes).
• Expiration of miles: Don’t let miles expire while planning a complex itinerary. Keep accounts active.

FAQ

What is the difference between a stopover and a layover?

A layover is a short connection, typically under 24 hours for international flights (or under 4 hours for domestic). A stopover is an intentional extended stay, usually more than 24 hours, allowing you to leave the airport and explore the city.

Which airline program offers the most generous stopover policy?

As of 2025, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan offers one free stopover on one-way international awards, even on partner flights. ANA Mileage Club allows up to four stopovers on round-trip ANA-operated awards. Aeroplan offers a low-cost stopover for 5,000 points.

Can I add a stopover to an already booked award ticket?

It depends on the program and fare rules. Some airlines allow changes for a fee, but you may need to reprice the entire award. Always check the change policy before booking.

Are stopovers allowed on one-way awards?

Most programs only allow stopovers on round-trip awards. Notable exceptions are Alaska (one-way international), Aeroplan (one-way for a fee), and Cathay Pacific (two stopovers on a one-way award for 10,000 miles each).

How do I search for stopover award availability?

Use airline websites or tools like ExpertFlyer to search segment by segment. For complex itineraries, you may need to call the frequent flyer program’s service center. Some programs, like United, display the Excursionist Perk automatically when you search multi-city.

References

1. Air Canada Aeroplan Stopover Policy (2025) – https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/use-miles/flight-rewards.html
2. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Stopover Rules (2025) – https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mileage-plan/use-miles/award-charts
3. United Airlines Excursionist Perk (2025) – https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/awards/excursionist-perk.html
4. ANA Mileage Club Stopover Rules (2025) – https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/amc/reference/tokuten/teikei.html
5. Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Stopover and Open-Jaw Policy (2025) – https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/book-trip/asia-miles/use-miles/flight-awards.html