Unlocking Extra Destinations Without Extra Cost
As spring break approaches and summer vacation plans start to take shape, savvy travelers are incorporating a new strategy into their itineraries: stopover flights. This travel hack allows jet-setters to add an additional city to their journey at no extra charge, providing a budget-friendly way to explore multiple destinations in one trip.
Cari Elizabeth’s Experience
One traveler, Cari Elizabeth, shared her success story with “GMA” after taking advantage of a stopover ticket during a trip to Europe. By booking through the Flying Blue loyalty program with Air France and KLM, she was able to extend her trip to include an extra leg in Paris, all without increasing the overall cost of her flights.
The Value of Stopover Tickets
According to Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy, stopovers are a smart way to maximize the value of your flights, whether you’re a cash-paying customer or using frequent flier miles. Carriers like Tap, Iceland Air, Emirates, and Hawaiian Airlines all offer this perk, allowing travelers to visit multiple cities for the price of a single ticket.
How to Book a Stopover Ticket
To secure a stopover flight, simply visit the airline carrier’s website and look for the option to “add a stopover” when entering your departure and arrival cities. Typically, the stopover will occur in the airline’s hub city, providing an opportunity to explore a new destination before reaching your final stop.
“Split Your Flying, Double Your Adventure”
Kelly recommends destinations like Reykjavik, where stopovers are common without additional fees. By breaking up your journey, you can experience two destinations for the price of one, making your travel itinerary even more exciting and diverse.
Cost-Saving Benefits
For Elizabeth, utilizing credit card points for her stopover flights resulted in significant savings. What would have been a $3,000 expense for flights to Paris only cost her 28,000 American Express points plus $300 in taxes, allowing her to fulfill a childhood dream at a fraction of the price.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enhance your travel plans with stopover flights and unlock a world of possibilities without breaking the bank.
