Originally Posted by
Often1
Most carriers are fairly strict, especially on international routings across carriers, about not rebooking until a misconnect has actually occurred.
This is sometimes to the carrier's own detriment, especially when waiting increases the likelilood of EC 261/2004 compensation applying (consider that a delay on ZRH-FRA-USA which includes an overnight may cost LX EUR 600 + hotel + meals). But, also consider that it is often the case that when the first segment is delayed, the second is as well. Or anticipated delays do not materialize or some combination comes to pass.
When it is the second segment which is cancelled, e.g. UA has cancelled FRA-USA, it is even harder. LX has no reason to help out as it is a UA problem and you are not a UA problem until LX delivers you to FRA. Thus, maybe your LX flight will be delayed / cancelled and you will become LX's problem.
All of this aside, none of this prevents you from asking LX and UA to rebook you whenever it suits you to ask. Sometimes you may get lucky. But, also understand that once you make the change, you may sometimes be disappointed and wish that you had stuck with what you had.
This is good to know, thanks!
Most likely everything will go to plan, but if overnighting is needed (I'm not in a rush to get to the US) I'd definitely prefer being in ZRH over LHR. My recent experiences have been that shorthauls are more likely to hit small delays than the longhauls (hence the greater chance of missing the connection), but I guess in the best-worst case LX can fly me back to ZRH and send me on their own metal the next day. Unfortunately the more likely scenario is an east-coast connection on UA, or AC via YVR - I can't say I'd look forward to either.