QF (int) to AC (dom) at YVR

[Captain Halliday]

Would you risk an unprotected 2 hour connection QF international to AC domestic at YVR?

What about a 6 hour unprotected connection?

Scenario:
I’m flying QF75 to YVR and ultimately heading to Sun Peaks.

QF75 is due at 1535.

Plan A
At present the plan is to overnight in Vancouver. The following day we’d take a 4.5 hr coach trip to Kamloops, wait approx 3 hrs then a 1hr shuttle to Sun Peaks. It’s basically a full day wasted.

Coach: $90 + Shuttle: $60 x 3 pax = $450

Plan B
The alternative is award seats via Velocity for AC flights on our day of arrival.

Awards available for flights at 1735 or 2115.

Both flights are met by a shuttle to Sun Peaks.

Flights: 10,500 pts +$5.60. Checked bag: $40. Shuttle: $45 x 3 pax = 31,500 pts + $271.80

Plan B gets us to Sun Peaks a day sooner, avoids ground transport and overnight accom in Vancouver is more comfortable and is arguably cheaper.

But if QF75 is delayed it’s money down the drain and I’d have to scramble accommodation and the coach and shuttle option anyway.

What would you do?

Are they other factors I should consider?

All advice appreciated.

 

[pyffii]

We usually head to Whistler after arriving from JFK via DFW and ALWAYS stay overnight at the Fairmont which is hideously expensive but better to be sure of our travels than to worry about delays and the onward issues so if it was me I'd overnight and take a morning flight knowing a day is lost but now that's the way I Iike to travel

 

[Captain Halliday]

We usually head to Whistler after arriving from JFK via DFW and ALWAYS stay overnight at the Fairmont which is hideously expensive but better to be sure of our travels than to worry about delays and the onward issues so if it was me I'd overnight and take a morning flight knowing a day is lost but now that's the way I Iike to travel

Sadly there’s no morning flights available as an award and the cash price is excessive.

Therefore if we do overnight at either YVR or in Vancouver downtown then it’ll be the long road trip.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

6 hour transit should be ok? you’d hope.

No awards on a QF partner like westjet?

 

[Captain Halliday]

6 hour transit should be ok? you’d hope.

No awards on a QF partner like westjet?

Yes, but they're via Calgary and would still require a layover in YVR.

But it would eliminate the 4.5 hour coach ride and the three hour wait for the shuttle.

Possible, but not preferred.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, but they're via Calgary and would still require a layover in YVR.

But it would eliminate the 4.5 hour coach ride and the three hour wait for the shuttle.

Possible, but not preferred.

True, but… can be cancelled in the event it’s necessary, for just 6000 points pp.

VA you’d lose the whole award within 24 hours of departure?

Alternatively, if you have any aeroplan points? Might be worth it to get a flex award?

 

[GrahamBRI]

True, but… can be cancelled in the event it’s necessary, for just 6000 points pp.

VA you’d lose the whole award within 24 hours of departure?

Alternatively, if you have any aeroplan points? Might be worth it to get a flex award?

Yes, this is also my approach with managing this is, rather than pay extra via specific travel insurance for this scenario, to actually look to book both options and factor in paying small cancellation fees. Can book hotels with no cancellation fees.
Just need to look at the timing of cancellations and may need to cancel once in the air and you have confidence of arrival times.