If your transatlantic flight is with an American airline, you may be allowed free stopovers (though rarely on the cheapest fares).

An extra charge of $145 is made for each stopover on the southbound run; one free stopover is allowed northbound.

If you're flying with Icelandair from the US to Britain or Europe, you can include a free stopover in Iceland as part of your travel itinerary.

If you are continuing to New Zealand, LA is a free stopover, with through fares to NZ from £773 economy, £1,926 premium economy.

To that end, some airlines offer as many as four free stopovers along the route, with additional stops for only $50 extra.

United Vacations (0844 499 0033; www.unitedvacations.co.uk) Holidays with United Airlines' flights, with two free stopovers - so good for, say, California/Hawaii combinations.

Continental Airlines Vacations (0844 557 1010; www.covacations.co.uk) Packages using Continental flights; free stopovers often possible in New York on twin-centre breaks.

You are usually allowed one free stopover in each direction.

Rather, the group canceled because of a change in airline schedules that cost them a free stopover in New York on their way to a concert in London.

Air New Zealand also offers free stopovers in the South Pacific on some return flights to Australia and New Zealand.