You can certainly beat a direct. My motto is “why fly direct when you can connect?” Connections mean more takeoffs and landings. More MQMs when flying DL. Allows for lounge time (which for me means plane watching time). Connections also mean more opportunities to add new lines to the Flight Memory map.

I’ll also connect to avoid certain aircraft types or to avoid middle seats. An ERJ-145 is tolerable if you can get a seat on the single seat side. On the two side, forget it. It’s tight.