HohoGAP

Good advice. It was odd that the following day VS' LHR-SFO flight remained at the same time. My daughter lives in San Jose so might be able to convince her to pick me up for a night and save the hotel costs if I can convince DM RA to shift the SFO-SLC flight until the morning.

kop84

It looks like most days VS runs the 789 to LAX. It looks like most days the schedule works to connect back to SLC. It's a little longer but not all that much.

sdix

You could take the BA LHR-SJC non stop, it's 787-9 then onto SLC via DL

HohoGAP

After taking all comments into account I finally called DM line to try and resolve with an agreeable agent. She could not have been nicer and offered me almost any options to resolve (given the length of time prior to departure). DM offered re-booking a day earlier/later, adjusting the schedule to stay another night at LHR or SFO, my option without any hotel, or putting me on the DL NS to SLC (767 which I didn't want).

I tried to cajole DM to upgrade me to J on the DL NS to SLC since I was on W on VS, however, I wasn't able to pull that off even using my best efforts. Options didn't really work so DM offered full refund, which I accepted. I originally heard it was going to be a credit for future travel and didn't want that, as I have few trips I book in excess of $1,650.00, but she said it would be a full refund to my CC. Refund hasn't shown up on my CC, but she said expect 4 days to process. Thanks for all of the advice.

Bowgie

I agree that the solution is an overnight in SFO. Surely, OP can find something worth doing in San Francisco. The departure to SEA only needs to be within 24 hours of arrival, so there a possibility of a daytime activity before the SEA flight. One downside is that BART is absurdly expensive to downtown San Francisco.

On the other hand, I've flown AeroMexico and Japan Airlines's 787's (biz-class). While the plane is nice; it isn't THAT nice compared with other aircraft. (I realize OP is in PE, and doesn't want Delta's fake PE, which is economy comfort or whatever they call it nowadays.)

bennos

Yeah, unfortunately according to DL W maps to Y for IROP/etc purposes, so at best you would get a (partial) refund. IME DL will not upgrade partner W to J in these circumstances.

HohoGAP

Agreed, although I tried. Still waiting for the full refund (not ECert) which is supposed to show up by 9/29/17. Was able to find re-routing at times that were acceptable on DL metal and 1/2 the fare of the W fare on VS. It's only C+ but I can get my bulkhead/exit aisle seat which is fine for 50% off. I'll save the 787-9 experience for another day.

ATOBTTR

Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't another routing where VS uses the 787-9 have worked? (for example: LHR-LAX on VS, connecting to DL for LAX-SLC)

HohoGAP

The VS flight to LAX (DL 4404) did not arrive in time to connect to a DL flight back to SLC on same day (I presume the 45 minute connection wasn't sufficient). Wasn't an option per DM line. SEA connection was on Delta metal.