Maximize Your Miles: Master Stopovers and Open Jaws to Extend Award Travel

Unlock more destinations from your points and miles with stopovers and open jaws—proven strategies to add free one-way flights to your roundtrip award itinerary. While booking requires some planning, the payoff is extraordinary for savvy travelers aiming to stretch their rewards.

Stopovers function as extended layovers, allowing 1.5 days to a week (or more) to explore an intermediate city. Icelandair, for instance, offers a complimentary stopover in Iceland for up to seven nights on routes between select U.S. and European cities.

Many airlines permit stopovers to insert an extra leg at no additional cost. American Airlines enables free stopovers on international award tickets in North American gateway cities. Here's how it works: If returning to your North American home base, treat it as a stopover en route to a second U.S. destination. The second leg can depart up to a year later, giving you flexibility—though you'll need a separate one-way return.

Real-world examples:

• New York to Paris, "return" Paris to New York (stopover), then New York to Los Angeles.
• Chicago to London, "return" London to Chicago (stopover), then Chicago to Honolulu.
• New York to Rome, "return" Rome to New York (stopover), then New York to Anchorage.

Open jaws let you depart from one city and return from another (or to a different origin), maximizing your trip without extra flights. Examples:

• New York to Paris; return Madrid to New York (travel Paris to Madrid independently).
• New York to Paris; return Paris to Boston (visit NYC, fly out, land near home).
• New York to Paris; return Madrid to Boston (double open jaw—check airline rules).

Open Jaws vs. One-Way Flights: Why Choose Open Jaws?

1. Greater Protection: A single itinerary safeguards against cancellations; separate one-ways risk non-refundable second legs and change fees.
2. Combine with Stopovers: Pair an open jaw with a stopover (or two) on one roundtrip ticket—e.g., New York to Paris (stopover) to Rome; return Madrid to New York. Four cities, one booking!
3. Avoid Fuel Surcharges: Roundtrips often dodge double fees (up to $250+ per leg on international awards).

Opt for one-ways only for ultimate flexibility in timing or endpoints.

How to Book Stopovers and Open Jaws

Airlines like Icelandair prompt for these during searches. Others require reviewing route-specific rules—essential if earning or transferring miles to that program. Phone agents simplify complex bookings.

Johnny Jet is a veteran travel expert logging 150,000 miles and 20 countries annually. Follow his blog for more insider tips.