USA domestic connection - cheap Delta vs direct Virgin America

[quokka77]

Doing US trip in September, flying bne lax. 2 adults, 2 kids. J long haul booked.

Need connection lax to Chicago. Considering VX direct flight approx 320pp plus bags. Have also just seen Delta have flights connecting through Minneapolis or Atlanta for 160pp plus bags. Adds approx 2 hours to flight and arrives Milwaukee rather than ORD, although there is a 1 hour train straight to downtown Chicago from MKE, as opposed to 30 min limo/cab/shuttle at ORD. will probably just wait for a sale on the vx flights because of kids and bags, but tempted by cheaper price, more SC and points with Delta. Thoughts?

 

[wallacej]

Where did you want to end up? Milwaukee, or Chicago?
I am thinking, having kids as well, that the hassle of getting out of MKE and back to Chicago would not be very pleasant.

I would keep looking for the option to ORD. There are flights between MKE and ORD, plane barely gets in the air before landing again, shortest flight I have ever had

 

[Boris spatsky]

MKE is a long way from downtown Chi. Delta also fly into Midway from ATL (i prefer it to ORD, much shorter train ride to downtown). Maybe look to fly on Delta to MDW?

 

[Saab34]

I have used VX countless times over the past 2 years and the trend was the prices fell 2-3months prior. Also keep a look out for Promo codes, quite regularly they are 20% off which makes a huge difference. Keep an eye on their facebook.

Also a tip for you or to those who are connecting off a same day Virgin Australia onto VX. Dont pre pay for baggage, show your VX Itinerary to the VA checkin before leaving Australia and they will tag your bags right to the end for free!

 

[calroth]

MKE is a long way from downtown Chi. Delta also fly into Midway from ATL (i prefer it to ORD, much shorter train ride to downtown). Maybe look to fly on Delta to MDW?

If you want to go Delta and do a "status run", I just had a look at their prices: US$548 in first class (A) from LAX to either O'Hare or Midway, connecting through Memphis, Minneapolis or Detroit. (Lots of choices of route.)

In theory, this should get you 80 + 40 status credits per person. With family pooling, that's 480 status credits. It's extra hassle for the kids, however they do get the slight perk of US domestic first class.

 

[legalistic]

My 2 cents are to avoid Delta at ALL COSTS!

Me and my fellow business colleague got bumped down from a F bookings to a Y booking, with no explanation...

I don't even know how (or have the time) to follow this up through the proper channels.

I don't really want to dial overseas, will virgin help out as they do not seem to respect status?

Don't really want to create a fuss as its a big conference, so I imagine they are strained and did not care about Australian PAX.

Avoid DELTA at all costs.

 

[calroth]

My 2 cents are to avoid Delta at ALL COSTS!

Me and my fellow business colleague got bumped down from a F bookings to a Y booking, with no explanation...

Ah, yes. Thanks for reminding me...

When I talked about "first class (A)" above, that's technically a "Y-up" fare. I recommend searching for "Y-up" on this forum for more info, but basically it's a discount first fare with one huge disclaimer/drawback: if you miss your flight or otherwise have to be rebooked onto another flight, your new ticket may be in Economy.

Legalistic--this could have happened to you. It's a condition of the fare, and a trap for the unwary.

 

[MH_fan]

Go with VX. Had a really good flight experience with them and the extra cost is well worth the direct flight.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Having traveled a lot in the US, if you can get a direct flight take that one over having to connect at a hub. Because of the amount of air travel in the US, delays at one airport can have a knock on effect across the entire system quite easily. Traveling with two young children, you don't want to be stuck waiting at a transit airport trying to get onto the next available flight (or having to overnight) because you missed your connection.

 

[quokka77]

Might see if I can bag a bargain on united with the current life miles promotion and forget the SC's in favour of a cheaper price but still direct flight.

 

[legalistic]

Cheers Calroth,

Unfortunately I haven't even boarded the plane yet, booked well in advance for a US trip next month... Delta didn't even provide a reason for the bump down, and no offer for compensation either.

 

[smit0847]

Might see if I can bag a bargain on united with the current life miles promotion and forget the SC's in favour of a cheaper price but still direct flight.

I've booked some EU-EU Y lifemiles redemptions where buying a rev ticket was $300+. It's the same amount of miles for a dom US redemption.

With max pay + min points plus taxes they were still almost $250 pp so I would go with the direct VX which is a much much better airline and earn points and SCs if it's only $70 or so more pp.

 

[ashill]

Adds approx 2 hours to flight and arrives Milwaukee rather than ORD, although there is a 1 hour train straight to downtown Chicago from MKE, as opposed to 30 min limo/cab/shuttle at ORD.

Note that the Amtrak train from MKE to Chicago, though quite nice, only runs about seven times a day. So it's only close to 1 hour travel time if you happen to hit the timing right. It also requires a (≈5 minute and free) shuttle bus to get from the terminal to the train station. (I wouldn't want to do that walk, as it goes past all the remote parking areas and the cargo facilities; not sure it can even be done legally.) Thus, be careful in comparing the MKE-Chicago train to the frequent L service from either Chicago airport to the city.

If you're going to the northern suburbs of Chicago (or Wisconsin -- a much nicer place to visit!), MKE's great, but if you're going to Chicago proper, the Chicago airports are considerably more convenient.

I don't really want to dial overseas

This bit is no problem. Dial Delta's toll free US 800/888/877/866 number from Skype and it's free (like all US toll free numbers).

 

[BAM1748]

JD Power just gave Virgin America the top spot out of the 14 major carriers in the US yesterday.

However, I wouldn't fly them just through personal preference.

M

 

[legalistic]

This bit is no problem. Dial Delta's toll free US 800/888/877/866 number from Skype and it's free (like all US toll free numbers).

Thanks Ash! will try them this weekend and report back