Change of Equipment Question??
 

Thinking of possible DTW-IAH-FRA-EWR-DTW trip on 4/24 returning 4/26.

IAH-FRA has a ground stop in EWR for change of equipment how does that work? And will i be able to select a seat prior to departing or thru the reservation screen?

Call CO reservations and tried to ask the agent about it. In a condescending voice she asked "why would you want to route through houston, when you can go thru newark?" I was reluctant to tell her that I have a Travel cert and wanted to get the most bang for my buck as far as miles is concerned.


Please help.

Thanks

If you book it as a single flight number (CO 50/51) as IAH-EWR then you do not get to pick your seats, and if the IAH-EWR segment is late you will potentially miss your EWR-FRA flight.

Try booking it as a multi-segment flight on co.com and for the low cost of a few extra dollars in taxes you get to pick your seats in advance and a few extra miles, too, though the misconnect issue remains.

And if you want to book through an agent don't take that lip from them. Simply reply "because I do; please book the ticket now" if you're embarrassed about explaining it or explain it. They've all heard stranger stories.

Im not really picky about my seats. I'll follow seatguru as best i can to get me something comfortable, but i was more concerned with how the equipment change worked.

So therefore, I'd say you answered my question.

Thanks.

P.S. Multisegment turned up over double the price of original routing. I can wait. The travel cert is still fresh. I got it on Sunday.

Also, please note that if you book it as a single flight # (IAH-EWR-FRA), you only get the miles as if it were direct IAH-FRA! If you book the segments with different numbers, then you get the IAH-EWR and EWR-FRA miles.

The reply: "Good point. In fact, why would I want to go through Newark when I can go nonstop on Northwest or Lufthansa?" <click>

To answer your original question. There's nothing "direct" about IAH-EWR-FRA. On your outbound 4/24, you get off the plane and go to your connection gate to board another flight. Which is to say, exactly like if the flights are of different flight numbers.

Fortunately, you don't lose many miles if you book as "direct" CO50 IAH-FRA; only about 30 or so. Unlike some other routes like IAH-PEK on CO89 where you can lose over a thousand miles. Worse if if you book CO51 FRA-EZE. You lose close to 3,000 miles.

And like sbm12 says, you won't be able to pick your seat on the second leg of CO50 EWR-FRA. At least not online.

As IAHflyer noted you do not get the mileage with the EWR stop included but direct IAH-FRA, but as others have said you do not lose much.

I fly IAH-FCO (via EWR) on CO40 often and after I book it I call and have the elite line break up the itin for me. They tell me each time that it isn't normal procedure to do that, but they will for me "this time"???

So it is worth a shot for you to try that after you buy.

Ciao,
FH