What is a stopover? How to turn a connecting flight into another trip? Instead of walking around duty-free and boring waiting for a connecting flight at the airport – a new country, impressions, and emotions.
If the flight consists of several parts, passengers, as a rule, are looking for such flights so that the transit takes the minimum time. A small margin of time, if the first flight is delayed, and that is it. However, if you are waiting for a transfer to an interesting city, try to collect a tourist puzzle: a mini-trip during a big trip – more impressions for minimal money. Moreover, when transferring to the right cities with the right airline, the carrier will take part of the costs.
A stopover is a transit stop lasting more than a day (24 hours). In some regions, the period is shorter – in Central America, 6 hours, and in North America, the stopover starts at 4 hours. Of course, you can use this time to visit the places you have dreamed about. So while planning such a trip with a long stopover in Dubai, for instance, contact one of the rental companies in the UAE, rent car Dubai and enjoy your trip! Hiring a car at the airport will give you a certain portion of flexibility, especially when time is extremely limited. However, we still recommend discovering everything about the bonuses provided by the air carrier. Rented vehicle and free entertainment that can save family budget – what can be better?
How to use stopover bonuses?
After you book a ticket, contact the carrier and inform them that you want to use the stopover bonuses. This must be done no later than 72 hours before departure.
When applying for a stopover, the manager will ask you to tell all the travel details, like flight and booking number and the location of arrival. It is better to immediately prepare this data so that the registration takes place promptly. If you want to arrange a stopover accommodation, you will also need to announce the date of the overnight stay and, if necessary, choose a hotel from several options.
What do airlines offer during a stopover?
Bonuses for all airlines are different – from hotel accommodation to excursions and restaurant visits. The terms of provision are also different – some carriers have a paid stopover, and others provide everything free of charge. If you are confused about the information, ask directly at the call center or through the airline’s social networks.
Airlines with a good stopover
Not all carriers offer something interesting, but there are those on whose planes it is a pleasure to fly with a transfer:
- Turkish Airlines (Istanbul). If the transit stop is longer than 20 hours, the overnight stay in a 4-star hotel in Istanbul will be at the expense of the carrier.
- Etihad (Abu Dhabi). If due to a transfer you have to spend one or two nights in the brilliant capital of the UAE, Etihad will pay for a 3 or 4-star hotel. If the transit stop lasts up to 6 nights you will receive a discount on accommodation
- Emirates (Dubai). Dubai is always a holiday! And from the point of view of the stopover, too. Free accommodation, transfer, and decent discounts on excursions are guaranteed.
- Qatar Airways (Doha). Stopover – for a transplant that lasts more than 12 hours. For $23, you can book a hotel for a day with a level of 4 stars.
Do I need a visa for a stopover?
Even if you leave the airport for 5 minutes, all standard visa requirements must be met.
If you are ready to be accepted in a transit country without a visa, you can safely use the services of a stopover. There are no problems when applying for a visa at the airport. If you need a tourist or transit visa to visit the country, and you have it, go to the city quietly.
If you need a visa, but you do not have one, you will have to wait out the transfer time at the airport, no matter how long it lasts.
What to do with luggage
As a rule, if the time between two flights is more than a day, the luggage is given to passengers, and then it is handed over again. In order not to take suitcases with you to the city, you can leave them in the luggage room.
If the transfer is less than 24 hours, the luggage can be checked out immediately to the destination. This service is relevant if all parts of the flight are carried out by one carrier. Please note that in this case, your air trip must be issued as a single flight.