The <24 hour 'stopover' - your experiences

[RooFlyer]

It seems I've created one of this type of stopover for myself on a trip next month, where I have about 24 hours between arriving and leaving LAX. Anyone have any thoughts on how I could utilise that time? I'll have almost a full day (flight out of LAX leaves around 10pm). Thanks.

I started this thread with a shorter stop-over in mind, (and before LAX got its make-over) but it might give you some ideas.

I'd hire a car and include the Guggenheim (great views if its not smoggy); in a day you could also head north up the coast to Hearst Castle (check opening times) and see the wildlife along the coast.

OR a day at Universal Studios is fantastic, for all ages. If you check into a hotel airport on arrival (free shuttle to/from), you can then get another free shuttle from the airport the next morning to take you to the above-ground rail station nearby the airport which will take you to the Universal Studios stop (then another short free shuttle up the hill), but its over an hour's journey. Buy ticket on line to avoid most of the queues.

 

[jpboyce]

Hi RooFlyer,

Some great suggestions there, looks like some of them will soak up the time I need to fill. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Has anyone got any experience with the QR DOH transit hotel service? I have an FF redemption booking in J FCO-DOH-SYD with a 13 hour layover, so wondering if I'm eligible for this free service.

http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/transit-accommodation.page

Website is ambiguous, and I tried to call them today and after 20 mins on hold requested a callback that never came.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Has anyone got any experience with the QR DOH transit hotel service? I have an FF redemption booking in J FCO-DOH-SYD with a 13 hour layover, so wondering if I'm eligible for this free service.

Transiting At Doha | Qatar Airways Global

Website is ambiguous, and I tried to call them today and after 20 mins on hold requested a callback that never came.

Best to call and confirm, but I don't believe it is available for FF tickets, only revenue (and even then, some of the lowest classes might not be eligible).

 

[theoracle30]

Does this apply to QF domestic awards?

i.e. SYD to MEL, <23 hrs in MEL>, MEL to PER the next day

If I book this as a one-way, the J price stays at 36,000 pts all the way but then the transits are only a few hours. If I do a multi-city booking with a 23 hr transit, the price jumps up to >50,000 pts.

 

[annielee]

Got 2 city transit coming up for next year travel..ICN and HND for 20hours.. cant wait for that..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does this apply to QF domestic awards?

i.e. SYD to MEL, <23 hrs in MEL>, MEL to PER the next day

If I book this as a one-way, the J price stays at 36,000 pts all the way but then the transits are only a few hours. If I do a multi-city booking with a 23 hr transit, the price jumps up to >50,000 pts.

Different airlines have different rules for stopovers, how long you have, and where you can take them (ie before they start to get counted as a separate flights rather than a through flights).

The QF terms and conditions state:

'Stopover' in relation to:
(a) an Australian domestic Itinerary, means a break of journey at an intermediate point when onward travel does not take place on the same calendar day; and
(b) for all other Itineraries, including those containing a domestic to international connecting flight, means when a passenger arrives at an intermediate point and is not scheduled to depart within 24 hours of arrival;

and

"Trip" means a series of one or more consecutive Flight Segments within an Itinerary:
(a) that does not include:(i) a Stopover; or
(ii) a Flight Segment whose arrival city is the same as the departure city of any other Flight Segment in that series (in this instance the Trip will be broken at the farthest point from the departure city for that series);
(b) not exceeding the maximum permitted miles in the Qantas, Jetstar or Partner Classic Flight Reward tables as applicable (see qantas.com for the tables); and
(c) not broken by a change to or from any airline included in the Partner Classic Flight Reward table (see qantas.com for the table).

For QF domestic it looks like same day for any benefits of the through-fare.

 

[k_sheep]

In my upcoming Nov/Dec trip I've got 2 short stops:
HKG from 0730 to 1830 - given how expensive HKG is for accommodation this'll be a great way to see a bit more of the city (I've got 2x 2-3 night stays before).
DOH 2300 to 1830 - we unfortunately don't qualify for the QR accommodation but will grab a cheap room before hitting the road in the morning.
Looking forward to it I welcome any suggestions!

 

[theoracle30]

For QF domestic it looks like same day for any benefits of the through-fare.

Thank you! I checked, and it'll work if I fly QF468 PER-MEL overnight arriving 6am, then any MEL-SYD flight in the evening. Remains at 36,000 pts for a side trip to Mel en-route to Syd

 

[cmon0005]

DOH 2300 to 1830 - we unfortunately don't qualify for the QR accommodation but will grab a cheap room before hitting the road in the morning.
Looking forward to it I welcome any suggestions!

Just be aware with QR that if your transit in DOH is under 24 hours they will not allow you to take your checked baggage in doh, we had a 23hr 55min stopover in doh and they wouldn't allow me to only tag baggage to doh including my baby's stroller. Rather inconvenient, and considering most airlines won't hold bags for more than 12 hours 24 hours seems excessive.

 

[get me outta here]

After you have had breakfast etc in the HKG lounge it will be around 0900. Then, as you'd need to be back in the a/port at ~ 1630, I'd suggest a visit to the Big Buddha and the long cable car that goes up to it. There is a not unpleasant shopping centre and eating places at the foot of the cable car. All easy to get to from the a/p.

In my upcoming Nov/Dec trip I've got 2 short stops:
HKG from 0730 to 1830 - given how expensive HKG is for accommodation this'll be a great way to see a bit more of the city (I've got 2x 2-3 night stays before).
DOH 2300 to 1830 - we unfortunately don't qualify for the QR accommodation but will grab a cheap room before hitting the road in the morning.
Looking forward to it I welcome any suggestions!

 

[CaptJCool]

Thank you! I checked, and it'll work if I fly QF468 PER-MEL overnight arriving 6am, then any MEL-SYD flight in the evening. Remains at 36,000 pts for a side trip to Mel en-route to Syd

Interesting tip this one.
I checked out some PER-ADL 36,000 3 hours
via Mel. 36,000 5 hours
via Bris or DWN or SYD 50,000 7+ hours

PER-BRI 36,000 via ADL 36,000
via SYD 50,000

The leisurely route at short notice has its hazards because as a two leg flight it only needs no seats on one leg for it to be a no go. Since one can burn 192,000 on a one way first class from Australia to Seattle via Dubai on the A380 including shower 34 hours flying , 72,000 for 7 hours is expensive.... 36,000 is comparable on distance value but not if its those "enhanced" QF domestic business class cardboard box cheese boxes On late night flights.....

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Did a Classic award in whY last year for 18K QF points plus AUD145.00 taxes for QF511 BNE/SYD 'X' 0855/1030 on Wed then EK412 SYD/AKL 0750/1300 on Thu and stayed in SYD overnight with family. I just stayed in transit in AKL before flyiing QF8771 (EK435) on an F sale that netted my the 120 SC I needed for WP requal last year. If I'd flown non-stop BNE/AKL on a 738 if would've been the same 18K points but $135.00 or $10.00 less in taxes.

Have got another Classic award next month SYD/xBNE on Fri then BNE/HKG on Sat for 28,000 points which was the same for BNE/HKG but the taxes were about AUD40.00 more so will pop down to SYD to see family so just need to purchase a one way BNE/SYD for Thu to position. We'll have 6 hours 30 mins transit in HKG before our 0030 departure HKG/YVR on CX so just plan to do a lounge crawl and tick a few boxes.

We have an 18 hour overnight transit in ORD arriving at 2230 on Thu from MIA & SJO then departing Fri 1830 ORD/LAX on the 788. We've only had a transit in ORD before so we booked a Hotwire mystery 4 star hotel at the airport for USD75.00 and ended up with The Westin O'Hare. We plan to take the train into the city the next morning and either do a Chicago Greeters tour where a local shows you around town for a couple of hours or maybe to the 2 hour architecture cruise if it's not too freezing then have lunch with friends we met on a cruise last year before heading back to the hotel to collect our bags then to the airport.

 

[Snoopydoo]

Currently looking at flights for my Canada/US trip next year. I have the option of either flying with CX (16 hour HKG layover on the way there and I think 5 hours on the way back) or EY (20 hour layover in AUH followed by 5.5 hours in DUB on the way there, 14 hours in DUS followed by another 16 hours in AUH on the way back). Prices are much the same (circa $100+ difference).

Pros of HKG layover: I get FF points flying with CX, speak passable Cantonese so getting around shouldn't be an issue and the thought of a yum cha marathon is getting my blood pumping.
Cons: can't think of any

Pros of a AUH/DUB/DUS layover: Being able to visit 2 other continents, albeit whirlwind, at no other cost is pretty cool.
Cons: No FF, no yum cha (though pro #1 seems like adequate compensation). I do worry though that I would be in transit for 26 hours at the start of my trip and would be completely useless by the time I get to Toronto.

WWYD?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Currently looking at flights for my Canada/US trip next year. I have the option of either flying with CX (16 hour HKG layover on the way there and I think 5 hours on the way back) or EY (20 hour layover in AUH followed by 5.5 hours in DUB on the way there, 14 hours in DUS followed by another 16 hours in AUH on the way back). Prices are much the same (circa $100+ difference).

Pros of HKG layover: I get FF points flying with CX, speak passable Cantonese so getting around shouldn't be an issue and the thought of a yum cha marathon is getting my blood pumping.
Cons: can't think of any

Pros of a AUH/DUB/DUS layover: Being able to visit 2 other continents, albeit whirlwind, at no other cost is pretty cool.
Cons: No FF, no yum cha (though pro #1 seems like adequate compensation). I do worry though that I would be in transit for 26 hours at the start of my trip and would be completely useless by the time I get to Toronto.

WWYD?

Economy? You'll be exhausted. Take the HKG option. Business class? If you arrive refreshed after a good sleep it might be fun to check out a couple new places.

 

[Snoopydoo]

Economy? You'll be exhausted. Take the HKG option. Business class? If you arrive refreshed after a good sleep it might be fun to check out a couple new places.

Thanks MEL_Traveller, looking to fly Y at this stage so HKG does seem like a better option. Unless EY come up with some amazing J deals in the next couple of months.

 

[k_sheep]

After you have had breakfast etc in the HKG lounge it will be around 0900. Then, as you'd need to be back in the a/port at ~ 1630, I'd suggest a visit to the Big Buddha and the long cable car that goes up to it. There is a not unpleasant shopping centre and eating places at the foot of the cable car. All easy to get to from the a/p.

Most excellent - I didn't even think about using the lounge for breakfast! That will save some $$.

Just be aware with QR that if your transit in DOH is under 24 hours they will not allow you to take your checked baggage in doh, we had a 23hr 55min stopover in doh and they wouldn't allow me to only tag baggage to doh including my baby's stroller. Rather inconvenient, and considering most airlines won't hold bags for more than 12 hours 24 hours seems excessive.

I'm quite happy for them to tag it through so I don't have to haul it around Bit different if carting a kid though.

I've actually got 2 nights in CAI too on this trip - would love to not have to haul my bag for that one, but can't see an easy way around that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Most excellent - I didn't even think about using the lounge for breakfast! That will save some $$.

The Arrival lounge is good for a bite to eat, shower, and check emails (etc) before heading in to the city. They'll store your hand luggage as well (and right under the train station so easy to collect on your way back to the terminal).

 

[k_sheep]

They'll store your hand luggage as well (and right under the train station so easy to collect on your way back to the terminal).

Oh wow, THAT I didn't know. That's an amazing benefit ... guess there's no security issues, since you would have already been through screening to get in there.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh wow, THAT I didn't know. That's an amazing benefit ... guess there's no security issues, since you would have already been through screening to get in there.

No no. The Arrival lounge is landside. You'll arrive, pass through immigration and then make your way to the lounge which is in the main public arrival hall, just under the Airport Express train station. you can leave your bags at the front desk. You do the same process in reverse... arrive by train, hand in your token to collect your bag, then head upstairs to the departure hall to clear security and immigration.

While it is technically possible to use the main lounges airside immediately on arrival (because you already have a boarding pass), you would need to go through security, go up one level and then to a lounge on the departures concourse. However - getting from there back to immigration to enter the country is not straightforward and they will have to call someone to come collect you and escort you. Timing is dependent on when that person can come to get you. I'm not aware that airside (departures) lounges will store bags for you for the day.