Originally Posted by
LBBflyer
I am planning to book a cash ticket trip in January ‘25 on QR through DOH. I am still debating booking a single ticket from my home airport or positioning to an airport that QR serves. ORD is the airport that it would be the most convenient to position to. Doing some research it appears that ORD has had the worst record on swaps to the mini pod 77W’s over the past couple months.
1. If I want to avoid mini pod business class, should I avoid ORD? Even for flights out 11 months?
2. What is the recommended US east-central airport for Q suites or to at least avoid mini pods.
3. As someone who regularly books flights many months in advance, I am familiar with how much AA shuffles domestic schedules. If I book a single ticket with AA on the domestic leg, how is the process when AA changes their schedule?
Thanks for any advice.
As I mentioned in another post, January 2025 is a world away. Anything could happen.
If you want the best 'experience' and one of the best chances to lock the QSuite, here is my advice. (I flew Qsuites on 20+ flights last year. to/from ORD/JFK/MIA/DFW etc.)
#1. Avoid ORD unless it is super convenient for you. Lounge is just okay, higher chance of swap to non-Q.
#2. If you want the best 'experience', route through JFK and give yourself some lounge time at the lounges. Also one of the greatest chances of keeping Q's.
#3. When flights change - and it is all one ticket - you can switch all your flights if there is a significant schedule change. (At least that is my experience.) With one ticket, you can check a bag through. Separate tickets, you are on your own if AA changes the domestic timing and no way to check a bag through. (You can cancel for credit, but if the new ticket is more expensive, you have to pay. One ticket, no additional fee.)