Originally Posted by
aztimm
Was this the only recommended option given by the US Airways website? If so, then perhaps you do have a case. Whenever I fly nearly anywhere from PHX, I get about a dozen options to select from.
I had a similar close connection through CLT last year, RIC-CLT-PHX. I think the connection time was scheduled for 30 min. Thankfully we left early from RIC, they had overpadded the flight time, and I arrived at the gave for PHX (doing nearly the opposite you did) with plenty of time. But that was a chance I took, in lieu of waiting a few hours for the next flight.
Personally I prefer nonstop flights, unless I'm specifically going on a mileage run. Since you have DL status, I'm a little surprised you wouldn't just book BOS-MEM nonstop on DL.
To answer the first question, I honestly don't remember. I know that the others were prohibitively more expensive. I ponied up the money for a US status match trial right before the recent fare hike, so I have to try and get my segments where possible.
Regarding the non-stops and status out of MEM, DL is far from perfect, and upgrades for DL silvers are non-existent. US is reputed to have more obtainable upgrades and this did seem to be the case as I was upgraded on one of my two upgradable segments on this trip.
I'm also about to move to a smaller, non-hub city so I've got to get used to connecting again. I don't hate ATL, but I also don't love it and I feel similarly about Houston. As terminals go, I actually think that CLTs is the best, hands-down. That is, when I'm not navigating it at a full sprint.