I just flew a direct flight with a stop in detroit, that is, not a connection...it's the same flight number and so considered a direct flight. I did not get the 500 turbo mile bonus for connecting in detroit because it was not a connection. However, I was forced off the plane with my carry on luggage for over an hour while they cleaned and got a new flight crew. I wrote NW customer service and they credited me the 500 miles. I know it's not much, but my argument was that it really was a connection with itself.

But generally, the answer is no.