MR during a stopover - Thoughts?

[_TheTraveller_]

I'll be flying HNL-LAX on AA, arriving at 5:31am. I was thinking about doing a MR on DL to get some SCs with VA. I'm considering flying from LAX-SLC-DFW-LAX in Domestic F.

LAX-SLC | Dep: 7:00AM  Arr: 9:54AM
SLC-DFW | Dep: 11:10AM Arr: 2:53PM
DFW-LAX | Dep: 3:38PM  Arr: 5:15PM

I'm catching QF12 back home on the same night. I'm a bit concerned that things can get a bit messy if I miss DFW-LAX and end up missing LAX-SYD. This is in early December. Thoughts?

 

[JessicaTam]

I'll be flying HNL-LAX on AA, arriving at 5:31am. I was thinking about doing a MR on DL to get some SCs with VA. I'm considering flying from LAX-SLC-DFW-LAX in Domestic F.

LAX-SLC | Dep: 7:00AM  Arr: 9:54AM
SLC-DFW | Dep: 11:10AM Arr: 2:53PM
DFW-LAX | Dep: 3:38PM  Arr: 5:15PM

I'm catching QF12 back home on the same night. I'm a bit concerned that things can get a bit messy if I miss DFW-LAX and end up missing LAX-SYD. This is in early December. Thoughts?

I wouldn't risk it. If anything goes wrong with any of the flights you would be hard pressed to make QF12.

Oh, MR= mattress run, SR= status run.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh, MR= mattress run, SR= status run.

Or MR = mileage run

 

[Hvr]

I would suggest against it. DFW is a hub with planes from everywhere transiting through it. Winter will have started and a delay further down the line will basically leave you in limbo.

Last week I attempted an MR through DFW and lost two main legs because of flooding at DFW. I met people who had been stranded there for a couple of days and slept in the airport. When I got to PHX I also met people who were stranded there for at least one day.

I was very fortunate to only be delayed a few hours, My OWE status saved me from being bumped off at least one flight. I nearly lost an F seat only getting it back once I had boarded and sat in Y for a few minutes!

Oh and I use the term MR interchangeably between mileage run and mattress run.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I would suggest against it. DFW is a hub with planes from everywhere transiting through it. Winter will have started and a delay further down the line will basically leave you in limbo.

Last week I attempted an MR through DFW and lost two main legs because of flooding at DFW. I met people who had been stranded there for a couple of days and slept in the airport. When I got to PHX I also met people who were stranded there for at least one day.

I was very fortunate to only be delayed a few hours, My OWE status saved me from being bumped off at least one flight. I nearly lost an F seat only getting it back once I had boarded and sat in Y for a few minutes!

Oh and I use the term MR interchangeably between mileage run and mattress run.

Doesn't sound promising... Would SEA/PDX be a better destination? How are the winters there? I've been reading too much FT and MR has been stuck in my head, I meant SC run .

Appreciate the advice everyone. Strongly reconsidering at the moment...

 

[Hvr]

Basically you're relying on the plane arriving to take you to your destination. So if it is due to come from say ORD and it is snowed in then your ongoing flight is flakey.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Basically you're relying on the plane arriving to take you to your destination. So if it is due to come from say ORD and it is snowed in then your ongoing flight is flakey.

Yeah - DFW and ORD are not great places for SC runs where limited time is involded. Both get T-storms in spring and fall, and ORD gets snow in winter.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

Yeah - DFW and ORD are not great places for SC runs where limited time is involded. Both get T-storms in spring and fall, and ORD gets snow in winter.

Sounds about right.

I did a bit of digging.. Given that PDX and SEA are both well served by DL, and considering that they apparently rank as the best (?) two airports in USA is giving me a bit of confidence. I have a couple more days before I have to pull the trigger, I'll dig around for more data.

The Best and Worst Airports for Winter Travel | Inc.com - best/worst 5 winter airports.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sounds about right.

I did a bit of digging.. Given that PDX and SEA are both well served by DL, and considering that they apparently rank as the best (?) two airports in USA is giving me a bit of confidence. I have a couple more days before I have to pull the trigger, I'll dig around for more data.

The Best and Worst Airports for Winter Travel | Inc.com - best/worst 5 winter airports.

I wouldn't be comfortable with anything less than 2 hours in between flights for a mileage run if you are relying on F class travel for the points/status. If you arrive at the gate late, your first class seat might already have been given away to the stand-by list. You might get on that flight, or even the next one (as you are protected), but F might not necessarily be on the agenda if there have have been other delays that day and lots of rebooking.