FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - dumb thread of the day: Which is better when using awards? non stop or connection?

Nov 17, 2008 | 11:55 pm

#8

pshuang

Join Date: Nov 1999

Location: SFO

Programs: UA 1.050MM, PersonalCar 0.275MM

Posts: 1,720

To give some concrete examples, if I wanted to fly United award travel SFO-LHR, I might want to choose SFO-ORD-LHR, SFO-IAD-LHR, or even SFO-LAX-LHR....

In order to get award inventory availability if the SFO-LHR non-stop doesn't have any availability.
To give me access to flights at different, perhaps better times of the day for my travel plans. There are only two SFO-LHR flights per day, but lots more different possible departure/arrival times made possible by looking at the connections.
To give me access to different aircraft types. (In this specific example, United 767-300 aircraft with the new FC/Biz cabins are flying the IAD-LHR route, whereas no United 777-200 aircraft flying the non-stop SFO-LHR route will get new FC/Biz cabins anytime soon.)
To let me disembark and stretch my legs.
To gain access to the international gateway departure lounge at the connecting airport, esp. when that's a International First Class lounge that can be a rather nice place to take a break and enjoy some decent food.

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