I am NOT a fan of connecting flights. When you have two or more flight segments, there are more chances for things to go wrong. Weather delays, lost baggage, etc… I’d much rather book a nonstop flight to reduce the risk of travel hiccups.
However, I also love a good deal and paying the least amount of cash or miles/points possible. That’s why when I was looking to book flights to Seattle this summer for my free Alaska cruise, I opted for the cheapest flights using miles. For 12,500 AA miles each way, I could get to/from Seattle on AA and Alaska Airlines with a stopover in Santa Rosa. Nonstop flights were running 30k+ AA miles. Since the total time on the connecting flight wasn’t crazy, I decided to book the cheaper flight.
But then this past weekend, as I was babysitting my flights for summer travel, I noticed a problem. My second flight shifted a few hours earlier, and I would miss my connection back home. I tried to change my flight online, but the system would not allow it.
So, I went on aa.com and chatted online with a representative. After a few minutes of back and forth typing, the rep offered to change my flight to a nonstop flight from Seattle to DFW. YES, please! So, my nonstop flight is now costing just 12,500 miles instead of 30k+ miles.
This same situation happened last year when my husband and son traveled to and from the U.,S. Open (tennis) in NYC. I booked them on cheap connecting flights that had reasonable times, but their flights were later changed to nonstop flights.
I would never count on a schedule change on connecting flights. But, often it does happen. My rule of thumb is that I will book a connecting flight if it’s significantly cheaper and the connection isn’t ridiculous (ie. too long or short or too far out of the way). If the schedule changes and I happen to get moved to a nonstop flight for the same price, I consider it a bit of pixie dust.
Do you ever book connecting flights if they are cheaper than a nonstop flight?
Love it. I’m down to do the same (so long as I’m not traveling with young kids…in which point premiums will be paid to ensure limited travel time).
Recently had a trip from LAX to MIA. Despite ample nonstops between the two AA hubs, miles prices were high (it was the holiday season). Ended up booking LAX-PHL-MIA as it was much cheaper. Benefitted from a schedule change and ended up with LAX-MIA direct on the cheap, and on a dreamliner. Score!
@Lars That’s a great schedule change, and on a Dreamliner too!