Post: #1

I am currently trying to book a round trip flight from Dubai to Bangkok using sites like hipmunk, kayak, orbitz, etc. As is typical, the best deals involve one layover, typically in cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, and Doha. Most of the best fares involve redeye flight with layover that is 6+ hours long. I was annoyed at first! But then I thought, wouldn't it be great to stay a night or two, and then continue my journey for the same fare? I could then pack a "mini-trip" into a larger vacation. While India is not really known for gaming (what a shame, some Indian women are gorgeous), it would be a shame to be there for so long and not see anything. If nothing else, I could get a nice passport stamp and a few photos.

The daily schedule for many of the flights is the same, so I do indeed think this is possible, but is there a way to do this without using an agent???

Thx

Popeye

Post: #2

(09-21-2011 02:41 AM)popeyearms76 Wrote:  I am currently trying to book a round trip flight from Dubai to Bangkok using sites like hipmunk, kayak, orbitz, etc. As is typical, the best deals involve one layover, typically in cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, and Doha. Most of the best fares involve redeye flight with layover that is 6+ hours long. I was annoyed at first! But then I thought, wouldn't it be great to stay a night or two, and then continue my journey for the same fare? I could then pack a "mini-trip" into a larger vacation. While India is not really known for gaming (what a shame, some Indian women are gorgeous), it would be a shame to be there for so long and not see anything. If nothing else, I could get a nice passport stamp and a few photos.

The daily schedule for many of the flights is the same, so I do indeed think this is possible, but is there a way to do this without using an agent???

Thx

Popeye

Yes, its possible. I have been doing this for years. Every travel website has a "multiple destination" tab. Different airlines have different policies with regards to this but it shouldn't be more than $100. Some airlines don't charge anything extra at all. For example, I once booked a flight from NYC to Bahia roundtrip ($900), the ticket had lay overs in Sao Paolo and Rio. So I stayed 4 days in Sao Paolo and 6 days in Rio before continuing my trip to Bahia. It didn't make a difference price wise whether I made the trip in one day or broke it down.

Post: #3

I could do an entire essay on this but I'm on my android right now.

Short version: Get the book Decoding Air Travel by Nicholas Kralev

Great first steps to being a true travel hacker.

Post: #4

If you do decide to have a layover in India make sure you get the tourist visa first(I think its around 250 bucks). Don't go to Mumbai, but stopover in Delhi and then go the Himalayas to relax.

Post: #5

Vicious would be interested in any information you have on it, write that essay.

Post: #6

I have a one day layover on Copa Airlines in Panama City, which allowed me to get a great fare. I'm using points to stay in the heart of downtown at a nice hotel for free during my layover. If I wind up liking Panama, I may do this on a regular when I fly Copa.

Post: #7

(09-24-2011 07:16 AM)KingofScotland Wrote:  Vicious would be interested in any information you have on it, write that essay.

Agreed. I need to start making better use of airmiles.

Post: #8

Extending layovers with kayak (using 'multiple cities') and didn't work for me, the cheaper flights disappear and I get results which are 2-3 times more expensive..

Post: #9

I haven't forgotten about this commitment. But what little (non-android) forum time I have is gobbled up by a data sheet I'm writing right now. I'm getting back to this once that is out of the way.