This Time FCF’s Leg Stretch Strategy Nets Business Class for Up to $66.68 Less than Coach on United (and Partners) to Europe and South America

In case you haven’t noticed, FCF is having a love affair with the Leg Stretch Strategy. It’s where seemingly disparate destinations are connected seamlessly into one “stretched” ticket with a fare that’s, well, ridiculously amazing.

It’s a strategy that takes advantage of the fact that U.S. airlines offer free stop-overs in the U.S. when traveling from Europe to South America and back.

While most would treat going to those places as very distinct travel events, our researchers looked at it differently and made some lateral connections–literally.

And the savings benefits are profound. Last month we wrote about connecting these same geographies on Delta, all for just $2,460 in Business Class.

In June we leg-stretched Asia, the U.S. and South America for $4,223.

And in May we leg-stretched Europe, the U.S. and the South Pacific for $5,242.

We are sure feeling limber after all that stretching.

Let’s Stretch Again, Like We Did Last Month: Europe–U.S.–South America

In our latest stretchavaganza, we again look at leg-stretching Europe, the U.S., and South America, but this time with United and its Star Alliance partners. So, as per the previous Leg Stretch Strategies, this is for those folks who travel, or would like to travel to Europe at least twice in one year, and South America once.

Or, the fare might tempt you to consider doing so, now that you know you can in the comfort of Business Class for the price of coach.

In the map below, we show a leg stretch between Lisbon, New York/Newark, and São Paulo, but other cities also benefit from the Leg Stretch on United and Star Alliance, including Buenos Aires, Rio, and Santiago; and Houston, Washington, DC, and Chicago.

 Let’s Break it Down

• You book a one-way ticket to Europe (easy-to-do details here).
• You then purchase a round-trip ticket on United.com or wherever United tickets are sold, departing from Europe to South America via the U.S., with free stop-overs both ways in the U.S. You stay at home for however many months you like.
• You then go to South America and enjoy yourself, do business, talk to llamas, whatever!
• You then return to the U.S. whenever you want to.
• You then get to go back to Europe on the final leg of the four-leg/segment ticket, and perhaps do more business or just enjoy a new adventure.
• Decision Time: You can return home on another one-way ticket OR you can also start the process again, returning to the U.S. on leg #1 of your next Leg Stretch Strategy ticket. Perhaps incorporating the South Pacific Leg Stretch this time, or maybe the Asia LSS.

Stretching Your Fare Dollars Further

A Newark to Lisbon return ticket in economy ranges from ~$514 to $1,122 non-stop. A Newark to São Paulo return ticket in economy ranges from ~$1,169 to $1,925 non-stop on United. That’s $1,683 at a minimum to fly economy—and easily $3,047+ depending on your dates. The Leg Stretch Strategy, on the other hand (or leg), nets those same destinations in Business Class for $2,980.32 (at the current exchange rate with United).

Fly with United’s Code-Share Partners, Too

You can also use FCF’s Leg Stretch Strategy with United’s Star Alliance code-share partners, including Lufthansa and SWISS.

What About Other Destinations?

We’ve crunched the numbers on several European/South American trips and found a lot of options.

Here are 13 examples, each with a link to the Google Flights page showing the deal. A few more clicks and you’re on your way. Cities where this strategy works best are plotted on the map below to help you find the best fare faster.

KEEP IN MIND: Fares go up and down constantly and will likely be different when you read this.