How to Turn Your Layover into a Free Vacation

You know that dreaded long layover? The one where you sit in an airport for hours, surviving on overpriced coffee and watching the clock tick slower than ever? What if I told you that layover could turn into a free mini-vacation instead?
Enter airline stopover programs—the travel hack that lets you explore a whole new city (sometimes even for days) at no extra airfare cost. Think of it as a bonus trip built right into your itinerary. And the best part? Some airlines will throw in free hotels, discounted tours, and exclusive perks just for taking advantage of it.
If you’re not using stopover programs, you’re leaving travel experiences on the table. Let’s dive into how they work and the top five airlines offering the best stopover programs —plus exactly how to book them.