Most people think of trips as getting from point A to point B. But some airlines let you slip a little “point C” into your plans for little to no extra cost. And who wouldn’t want to turn a single trip into two (or even three) destinations for nearly the same price?
That, my friends, is the magic of stopover programs.
Stopovers are severely underrated and underused, and they’re available to anyone who knows where to look. Let’s break down which airlines offer them, how to maximize them, and why your credit cards can make the whole thing even sweeter.
What is a Stopover?
In airline language, a stopover is when you stay in a connecting city for more than 24 hours when you’re flying somewhere.
So instead of sprinting through Frankfurt to make your connection (and peace be with you if you’ve been there), a stopover lets you spend a day, or even a few nights, exploring that city before moving on to your final destination.
Airlines With Stopever Programs
Different airlines have their own versions of stopovers, and some are a little easier (and more generous) than others.
Here are a few of the best options right now:
Airline | Stopover City | Max Duration | What’s Included | Official Terms |
Icelandair | Reykjavík | Up to 7 days (and more, depending on the fare you book) | No additional airfare for the stopover (you pick your dates) | |
Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | 1 night (Economy) / 2 nights (Business) for eligible connections | Free hotel stay in contracted hotels | |
TAP Air Portugal | Lisbon or Porto | Up to 10 days | “Portugal Stopover” free stopover and partner discounts | |
Copa Airlines | Panama City | 24 hours to 7 days | No extra airfare cost; special offers | |
Emirates / Dubai Connect | Dubai | Varies per connection eligibility | Hotel and transfers when eligible via “Dubai Connect” | |
Etihad Airways | Abu Dhabi | Up to 2 nights | Complimentary hotel stays in many cases |
How to Book a Stopover
Okay, stick with me here. Each airline does things a little differently, but a few general rules apply:
Use the airline’s official stopover page. Programs like TAP or Icelandair have booking tools that build the stopover into your plans pretty simply.
Calling can be helpful. Some airlines (looking at you, Turkish ❤️) make it easier to confirm stopovers over the phone. And personally, I always like to call airlines when doing this for peace of mind — can’t hurt!
Search multi-city. Even if a program isn’t official, sometimes pricing a flight as “multi-city” with your layover destination still prices out the same.
Award bookings count (yay!). Stopovers aren’t just for cash bookings, and you can usually add one to an award flight booking with points, which is the obvious choice around here.
Let’s Talk Credit Cards
Credit cards come into play in two big ways:
Booking flights with points — flexible currencies like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Points transfer to stopover-friendly airlines like Singapore, Emirates, and Air Canada (Aeroplan). Don’t forget to check for transfer bonuses, too.
Perks during your stopover — lounge access, travel insurance, and hotel statement credits from premium cards can make your “bonus city” way more comfortable.
Top Picks for Stopovers
Chase Sapphire Reserve® — for transfer partners and built-in travel protection
American Express Platinum Card® — for lounge access and generous statement credits
Citi Strata Premier® Card — for earning 3x on flights and transfers to partners like Turkish Airlines
Pro Tips for Maximizing Stopovers
Think strategically. Don’t burn your vacation days on airports you don’t care about. You should be picking stopovers in cities that you genuinely want to explore.
Use it as a tester. Not sure you’ll love Doha, Lisbon, or Reykjavik? A stopover gives you a low-commitment test run.
Stack with open-jaw flights. Start in one city, stopover in another, and return from a third.
🤔 Useful Tip: Open Jaw flights? Stopovers? McKay, what the heck are you talking about? If you need a little “miles and points” lingo refresher, check out our encyclopedia.
Don’t forget visas. Some stopover countries require them, even if you’re just staying a night or two. It’s always a good idea to double-check the requirements before landing in a new place.
Bottom Line
Stopover programs are pretty freaking sweet. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn a single trip into a two-for-one deal. Instead of just flying through, you can stop, grab a few meals, see a few sites, and get the vibe of a new city (for free or almost free).
Thankfully, it doesn’t take elite status or any crazy-expert travel tricks. With the right airline and some flexibility in your plans, a stopover could be part of your next trip.
Add in a great travel credit card that covers things like insurance, lounges, or hotel credits, and that “extra” city could feel like a mini vacation that you’re not even paying for.
