Article: Airline Stopover Programs: Which Airlines and How to Qualify

[AFF Editor]

Airline Stopover Programs: Which Airlines and How to Qualify is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Airline Stopover Programs: Which Airlines and How to Qualify

Free hotels, discounted stopover packages and even free extra flights. Here's how the major airline stopover programs work and who qualifies.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’ve used the stopover Qatar/discover Qatar package a couple of times.

Within the bands of hotels they mention, there is quite a range of prices and discounts off the regular booking price. The higher end you go, the less the discount. For instance for the Fairmont Doha, there’s not very much discount at all, at least when I last looked at it earlier this year.

 

[Austman]

Good luck booking the Malaysia Airlines’ Bonus Side Trip.

It's a nightmare to use. And rarely results in a cheaper flight.

Although I have managed to do it 2 or 3 times.

Booking it is, in a word, horrible.

 

[kamchatsky]

Used QR STPC by paying a discount for Le Meridien Doha for 1 night with breakfast ($100aud). That was a good deal!

 

[moa999]

used the stopover Qatar/discover Qatar package a couple of times.

Are the hotels booked in a way you can use hotel loyalty programs?

 

[RooFlyer]

Are the hotels booked in a way you can use hotel loyalty programs?

Not strictly- although once my Accor hotel credited.

 

[Brissy1]

Etihad:
Booking for May this year, confirmed eligibility for 2 nights when booking (through call centre). Submitted hotel preferences, Etihad would only allow 1 night as eta 1st day was 00:20am and departure was 09:30am following day. I thought they would see sense after a few emails that you need 2 nights for those flight times but no they were adamant One Night Only as technically departing the day after arriving. Cancelled the tickets, stuff 'em.

TK last month: no issues, quick confirmation.

Hint, check max time between arr/dep such that the bags will be allowed to be checked through and avoid having to collect/ hotel transfer/recheck-in.