Since we first drew your attention to the Leg Stretch Strategy in May 2017, it has continued to deliver great travel deals, literally, all over the world.
And here today, we show you the latest super stretchy example that our team has found.
The Lucrative Leg Stretch
If you’re new to this idea, or you need a refresher, here’s a quick rundown.
The Leg Stretch Strategy makes use of round-trip itineraries between two continents with free stopovers each way on a third continent. The map below will help to illustrate this.
This third continent is the “connecting continent” between the other two. In all our examples, it’s the United States. Simple so far. But remember, the U.S. stopovers are free each way. It means if you intend to go to those other continents, you can use the Leg Stretch Strategy to fly in Business Class on one ticket for LESS than what you would pay in Premium Economy on multiple tickets. That’s where the savings come in.
Go Fetch a Leg Stretch
Let’s look at an example of this strategy with Kevin, a chef based in the U.S who’s planning to visit restaurants in Europe and South America.
Now, most people would fly to Europe, do their thing, return, and that’s that. Then, they would fly to South America, do their thing, and return. But what most people don’t know is that you can combine these trips into one ticket and save a Michelin Star-restaurant-price amount of money. Way more, actually. You just have to think a little laterally about it.
How It Works
First, and this is important, the Leg Stretch starts and finishes in Europe. But before you say, “What the heck Bennett?!”, that doesn’t mean it’s out of play for U.S.-based flyers. You can still do it and save a truffle-worthy amount of money.
You have to get to Europe to start it, and then get home at the end, either with two one-way flights or an overarching round trip. OR you can start another Leg Stretch because you’re already in Europe. It’s pretty easy, and you still save money, even with those “start” and “end” flights.
The Leg Stretch (this version, as there are many) goes from Europe to South America, and back, via free stopovers in the U.S. in both directions. So, if you live in New York, those free stopovers are essentially free flights home! You can hang out at home for months if you like. Fares have many different rules so make sure to check them, but in this case, he just has to complete the entire trip within 12 months of his last stopover.
Let’s get stretching with an example for travel to Europe and South America.
A Leg Stretch That Combines New York, Amsterdam, and São Paulo
Yes, Chef! Sample This Tasty Leg Stretch
Here’s how it works: Kevin flies to Amsterdam on a one-way flight (or a round-trip of which the return flight is completed at the end of the Leg Stretch).
Then the Leg Stretch starts:
- Amsterdam to New York (the stopover/home).
- New York to São Paulo (your vacation or business destination).
- São Paulo to New York (the second stopover/ home).
- New York to Amsterdam (the end OR the start of your next Leg Stretch).
Kevin can do all that starting at $2,593 in Business Class on Delta. The screenshot below is the evidence, Your Honor.
Remember, all of that is on a single Business Class ticket. Please note that you can sometimes substitute Rio de Janeiro for São Paulo, often for a similar price, or Santiago for a little more.
How Much Do You Save?
Let’s compare this to a Business Class trip on Delta where the same destinations are broken down into separate trips. Two roundtrips from the U.S. to Europe and South America in Business Class would cost Kevin around $5,687 at the time of publication. But combining them into one LSS Business Class ticket costs $2,593. That’s a savings of $3,094, or 54%. As spectacular as a traditional feijoada.
Here are some other Leg Stretch options that start in Europe and visit South America, with two U.S. stopovers.
Sample LSS Fares on Delta Air Lines
Amsterdam – New York – São Paulo – New York – Amsterdam
The Equivalent of Two Roundtrips
on Delta in Business Class for $2,593
Europe > U.S. > South America > U.S. > Europe
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I Feel So Limber, I’m Gonna Do It Again
At the end of his Leg Stretch journey, Kevin has two options. He can embark on ANOTHER Leg Stretch ticket, or just get a ticket that takes him back home. Let’s break this down.
Option #1: Book another LSS Ticket. Remember, once in Europe Kevin is already at the starting point of another LSS. Since he can control the timing of that final flight from the U.S. to complete an LSS, he can tie it right into his next multi-continent ticket. Two Leg Stretches back-to-back will save a banquet load of bucks.
Option #2: Head Home. If Kevin’s a one-and-done leg stretcher, he can buy a round-trip ticket to/from the starting point (Europe) and return destination (the U.S.), or even two one-way tickets between those two cities.
Remember, you still need to get to and from the start of the Leg Stretch, but those savings more than cover the cost of doing that. And hey, consider using your miles to slingshot your trip, too.
FCF has also examined many other Leg Stretches including Asia and the South Pacific.
See you up front.