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?
![Texans in Alaska: Ketchikan](https://milesforfamily.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/c3-2-1024x576.jpg)
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!