Originally Posted by UnitedSkies
I know that many of you think of convoluted routings to maximize the number of transfers and earn more miles, but from a business perspective, should an airline reward someone who's taking multiple segments when there is a nonstop in the market? Seems like that passenger (paying the same fare) is displacing revenue for a nonstop or "legitimate" connecting passenger on subsequent flight legs.
I know this isn't a popular thought - but in the spirit of frank and open (intelligent) discussion, thought it might be relevant since Mileage Runs were partially borne of the challenge in finding more miles, for less. How would this affect your Mileage Runs?
If the airline did not award acyual miles flown segment by segment, flights with connection would have to be substantially cheaper. Why would anyone want to pay the same fare, actually a a few more dollars for PFCs for extra connection, ad arrive at their destination starved when they can pay the same fare and get to their destination a lot quicker. Many people would switch to LCCs that provide point to point flights not stop, not direct flights that are designed to fool people into thinking it's nonstop.