mikeym

I need to drop by SFO for a quick meeting. I don't really want to overnight there so I wanted to do AC566 down (departing 1420 arriving 1637) and then come back to YVR on AC565 (departing 2025 arriving 2240).

On the way back I'll be continuing on to YEG though, and there are no flights after 2240 that night.

1. Am I correct in understanding that I can still book AC565 on the return, overnight in YVR as long as I take the next flight out to YEG the next morning? Are they lenient on this rule at all? The next flight out is probably at 6 or 7 AM, but I'd prefer 8 AM. Does it depend on the agent or just the booking engine?

2. That should be sufficient padding but if any IRROPS occur I'm assuming they'd just put me on the next flight out (allowing me to reschedule my return) since I'm on Southwestern J flight pass?

AA_EXP09

You could inquire about rerouting via YYZ in the event of IRROPS.
My bigger concern is how you are going to get a meeting done in <4 hours and eat.

yvr76

To add to this, SFO has frequent ground delay programs due to low ceiling. If you need to get there in time for something on a limited schedule, take AC560 in the morning.

mikeym

I'll grab a protein bar. As for the meeting, I'm just dropping off a hard drive to a colleague. We have strict data handling procedures for some sensitive data. I would normally pawn this off on someone else but don't have anyone available at the moment.

The timing isn't really convenient due to some other obligations.

Coming back I'd really like to get a decent flight out of YVR the next morning at 8 or 9 AM so I can get some decent sleep but I'm imaging that only the 'next flight out' booking would be valid (I remember something about it needs to be in 4 hours or next flight out?).

YOWgary

Why bother with YVR?

UA 8366 (direct)

Dep SFO 19:53
Arr YEG 23:44

SFOPhD

Maybe others can speak better to this, but YVR flights aren't usually affected by ground delays at SFO in my experience. Usually the shorter hops like LAX get affected first.

trek604

I took AC560 from YVR to SFO 2 weeks ago for Cisco Live. We pushed from the gate and held in the de-icing bay for 30 minutes due to a ground delay from SFO.

yvr76

I do YVR SFO r/t at least 15 times a year and I can attest that they certainly are subject to ground delays.

SFOPhD

Thanks both for the info. Looks like I've been lucky in the past!

CloudsBelow

Great question.
YEGers should be supporting the n/s they have ... Odd that so many are vocal against AC for not having direct t/b routes, while some choose inefficient connections (seemingly) to stay on AC metal?

mikeym

Flight pass requires AC metal.

The pass expires in a month or two so I'd rather use it than buy a direct. They'd book it for me no problem, but a bit of a waste if I have a pass.

fairviewroad

What's it going to cost to overnight in YVR? Might not be that much of a waste if you end up spending $120+ for a hotel room, etc.

grahampros

I've done it many times on trips where i have a quick customer meeting. Depends on the city obviously and the relative proximity of the meeting to the airport, but in many cases it's easily done.

YOWgary

Yeah, we do YVR-LAX same-days a couple times a year.

It's not a ton of fun, but it's doable.

AA_EXP09

I would just go with lowest fare that earns full mileage which is neither of the two or UA if crediting to MP, AA if crediting to AA, AS/DL if crediting to AS (DL slightly preferred due to SPG status.)