How are Stopover periods calculated?

[Aynat62]

In layman's terms I believe a Stopover is defined as one that is at least 24 hours in one place when disembarking before catching your next flight. But how is the 24 hours calculated? Is it from ETA of one flight to departure of the next flight or some other method?

And how strict are Qantas in enforcing the 24 hours rule? If the stopover period is slightly less than 24 hours do they allow it?

And while I am at it, how long can you stay in one place (after 24 hours) before it's considered too long to be a stopover?

And stretching the friendship .....can you get stopovers across codeshares, for example Qantas for one flight and then AA for the next flight?

Thank you.

 

[NM]

In layman's terms I believe a Stopover is defined as one that is at least 24 hours in one place when disembarking before catching your next flight. But how is the 24 hours calculated? Is it from ETA of one flight to departure of the next flight or some other method?

Its from the scheduled arrival time of the inbound light to the scheduled departure time of the outbound flight.

And how strict are Qantas in enforcing the 24 hours rule? If the stopover period is slightly less than 24 hours do they allow it?

The rule will always be strictly enforced by all airlines. There is no flexibility. It if 23:59 then its a transit, if it 24 hours or more then its a stopover.

And while I am at it, how long can you stay in one place (after 24 hours) before it's considered too long to be a stopover?

The only maximum time for a stopover is defined by the overall ticket validity period. Most tickets have a maximum validity period. so long as your itinerary allows you to complete the entire ticket routing withing the validity period, then there is no maximum separate maximum time for a single stopover.

And stretching the friendship .....can you get stopovers across codeshares, for example Qantas for one flight and then AA for the next flight?

Yes. they would be two independent flight segments on the ticket. However, there may be roting or airline operation rules associated with the specific fare you are purchasing.

 

[serfty]

The period is based on the scheduled arrival time of your inbound flight and the scheduled departure time of your outbound flight.

I have been told for international flights that periods of less than less than 24 hours are considered transits; however I had a booking where a flight was inbound into LON at 10am and the onward flight from LON was at 10am the next day - it was booked as a transit.

It does not matter what carrier(s) operate the flights.

 

[Aynat62]

Many thanks, all questions answered.

 

[drron]

I can confirm what the experts have told you.I have got QF out of LAX with a scheduled departure(if I remember rightly)of 2245 and the AA flight in was scheduled to arrive at 2250 the day before.Still considered a transit even though arrived early on AA and QF was late.
On an upcoming Circle pacific we have scheduled a stay of 23.45 hours in DFW as we had already got the maximum free stopovers with the fare.Had no problems having that accepted.

 

[Aynat62]

It does not matter what carrier(s) operate the flights.

I'm a bit confused about this answer. Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you mean that you could book with say Qantas online and ANY other airline online and as long as the stopover period and booking conditions are adhered to you could get a stopover? Or am I missing something?

 

[Austman]

Just to be aware that for travel that does not include an international segement, the rules that define what is a transit stop can be different. It can be classed as stopover after as little as 4 hours.

For example for American Airlines, from aa.com:

Stopover - a deliberate interruption of travel for more than 4 hours constitutes a domestic stopover unless specified otherwise.

In other words domestic connections of more than 4 hours are considered a stopover unless you are taking the next scheduled flight that is outside the 4 hours. Any connection of 24 hours is always considered a stopover.

 

[serfty]

... Any connection of 24 hours is always considered a stopover.

As I posted, I have had AA adjudge a scheduled period of exactly 24 hours a transit.

The actual routing was -ORD-LHR,LGW-DBV- and was assessed/taxed as -ORD-xLON-DBV-


... of course, one swallow does not a summer make ....

 

[Austman]

As I posted, I have had AA adjudge a scheduled period of exactly 24 hours a transit.

The actual routing was -ORD-LHR,LGW-DBV- and was assessed/taxed as -ORD-xLON-DBV-


... of course, one swallow does not a summer make ....

Yes, then the international rules apply.

I had MEL-SFO-EWR on UA with about a 20 hour transit connection in SFO. I had used a single confirmed System Wide Upgrade certificate to upgrade MEL-SFO and SFO-EWR (the one certificate upgraded a flight AND connections). At SFO check-in, UA argued the 4 hour connection rule had been broken and refused the upgrade on the SFO-EWR flight (they wanted to collect a second SWU or some other upgrade certificate). The supervisor was called and said he had years of experience and knew that connections are only ever 4 hours maximum or the next available flight. I pleaded with him that a 24 hour rule applies for international connections. He relented and called Chicago for confirmation. The change of expression on his face was one of the most memorable sights I've ever seen at an airport! I was right, the 24 hour rule applied and I got my upgrade!

But just be aware that in other parts of the world, purely domestic connections can be different.

 

[adampenrith]

When I was trained in ticketing - this fare rule applies basically to RTW tickets and tickets constructed under the standard ticketing rules, (most sale fares or point to point fares are different).Let say a SYD LHR - full fare ticket. Really expensiveIts has a allocated mileage on the fare - and you can fly any routing as long as you do not go over the mileage, or you pay a mileage surcharge.So you could ticket it SYD BNENRTHKGNRTSINDXBFRALHRLets say you could only have 5 stops but if you made one of the NRT and the FRA less than 24 hrs its called a transit and is allowed.Anything over 24 is a stopover.Not used much these days as most fares have condiditions - one stopover allowed in each direction at *** for instance - or direct flights only no stopovers allowed.Great when you are doing DONE4 and DONE5 and Star Alliance RTW tickets as you can get a day somewhere - or a day and a night and still not count as a stop.