Earn more SC's and points or arrive 5 hours earlier

[Reggie]

What would you have done.

I was flying from Atlanta to St Louis. Direct flights are economy only, and for extra US132 I could fly first via Chicago, lots of easy SC's.

However on arriving in Atalanta to checkin was advised that chicago was shut and all flight where delayed at least 2 hours, which resulted in missed connection thus "possible" arrival in stl at 11.30pm at best or overnight in atlanta of chicago. OR they could put me on the direct and I would arrive at 5.30pm (3 hours earlier than original flights), get a US132 refund, and definitely get to my internet booked room in stl.

Question would you go for the SC's and points or save the 6 hours and possibly more?

 

[Damien]

I would normally save the time instead of collecting SCs, especially if it meant waiting at an airport for that long.

 

[dajop]

It depends - if these were part of a threshold to get to the next tier of status (or retaining existing status), and time was plentiful, then I'd go for the extra few hours. However if they were not critical to the tier, then I'd go for the quick and easy option - certainly wouldn't do the extra routing for the points alone.

 

[NM]

Under the circumstances described, I'd take the direct flight, and spend the saved money on something pleasent when I got to the destination .

I certainly have been known to take some longer routes in order to get a better flight experience (ie seat comfort etc) and/or better earning. But I would not be paying extra for these benefits at the same time as depriving myself of sleep at the other end.

 

[Yada Yada]

I guess it depends upon what the plans were for STL. If it was crucial to be there then I'd take the direct flight in coach. However if that was just a stopover before travelling the next day and it would not inconvenience me, I may take the indirect option.

However, snow at ORD often = big delays. I had a dreadul time a few years ago trying to get from ATL to LAS via ORD. Long story... I should tell it sometime. Maybe in the Trip Reports section.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I had a similar dilemna on my recent trip (see trip report).

The flight I was booked on was very late meaning I'd misconnect to the next flight and the 3rd flight leg was only once a day - so I'd lose a whole day. I was offered (after prompting by me) a rebook on direct flight which would connect with the 3rd flight leg, but only economy seats left - no first which I'd been booked on.

I took the rebook without any hesitation. The lose of a day was worse for me than a couple hour flight in economy and the loss of a few points.

In other situations I may well have stuck with the original routing and the unplanned stopover en route.

 

[Dave Noble]

What would you have done.

I was flying from Atlanta to St Louis. Direct flights are economy only, and for extra US132 I could fly first via Chicago, lots of easy SC's.

However on arriving in Atalanta to checkin was advised that chicago was shut and all flight where delayed at least 2 hours, which resulted in missed connection thus "possible" arrival in stl at 11.30pm at best or overnight in atlanta of chicago. OR they could put me on the direct and I would arrive at 5.30pm (3 hours earlier than original flights), get a US132 refund, and definitely get to my internet booked room in stl.

Question would you go for the SC's and points or save the 6 hours and possibly more?

I'd do both. If they rerouted you due to problems, then a call to QFF and you should have a good chance of getting the SCs and miles as if you had done the full journey. If you were booked in a discount economy fare, do wait till the points credit before calling since you may find that you get rebooked in a full fare and so get full SCs/Miles

Dave

 

[Reggie]

Under the circumstances described, I'd take the direct flight, and spend the saved money on something pleasent when I got to the destination .

I certainly have been known to take some longer routes in order to get a better flight experience (ie seat comfort etc) and/or better earning. But I would not be paying extra for these benefits at the same time as depriving myself of sleep at the other end.

NM thats what I decided as well, but I tell you being crammed in against the window, second last row from the back and dreaming of lost sc's I was wondering about my decision. However on arrival i was gratefulful for the direct flight

 

[Reggie]

I'd do both. If they rerouted you due to problems, then a call to QFF and you should have a good chance of getting the SCs and miles as if you had done the full journey. If you were booked in a discount economy fare, do wait till the points credit before calling since you may find that you get rebooked in a full fare and so get full SCs/Miles
Dave

Dave

I was booked in F and then downgrade to Y, with refund. The ticket was booked through an American Travel agent our US guys use, so all I have is an itinerary (no ticket number on it). I was given the option not forced to change, will Qantas give points as per the original F in this case if I ring.

Reggie

 

[Dave Noble]

I was booked in F and then downgrade to Y, with refund. The ticket was booked through an American Travel agent our US guys use, so all I have is an itinerary (no ticket number on it). I was given the option not forced to change, will Qantas give points as per the original F in this case if I ring.

Reggie

They may do. Tell them that you were rebooked onto that flight due to the problems that would have meant you would not have likely reached your destination and I suspect that there is a good chance of getting the credit for the original routing

Dave

 

[Reggie]

They may do. Tell them that you were rebooked onto that flight due to the problems that would have meant you would not have likely reached your destination and I suspect that there is a good chance of getting the credit for the original routing

Dave

Once again Dave you have been of enormous help. I sent through said fax explaining rerouting reason with copy of boarding pass and previous eticket last Friday, and yesterday my account was credited with SC's and points for the F flights via chicago, 130 more SC's than the direct economy flight would have earned.