cfischer

I’d go with the Polaris non-stop. Must be a lot cheaper, it’s a red-eye anyway and the seat is great. Less chance of LHR issues causing a problem and you don’t want to miss your SQ flight. My 2 cents

Brostman

I appreciate you comments, and I agree that the non-stop is the less risky play and it would also allow us to use Polaris lounge at ORD pre-flight. Surprisingly, UA is not the cheaper flight, unless I value being able to do an award redemption to utilize accumulated miles that don't seem very valuable if my intent is to utilize for premium class tkts. UA one way in Polaris is currently being offered at ~ $6,400 one way/pax... or alternatively 155k miles/pax..... LX in F for ORD-ZRH and J for ZRH-LHR would cost me ~$4,100 / pax and no real option for award redemption. The other consideration is we are traveling as a couple and prefer side-by-side, even if it means taking center seats in a 1-2-1 configuration such as LH 747-8 (which has previously been our preference for USA to Europe flights) but LH is replacing 747-8 to a 340-600 on the ORD-FRA route beginning in Oct.

Fabo.sk

If LX F is 1/3 less than UA Polaris, I would definitely go for the F. I would just really try and fly a day earlier. Also, with a longer connection if available. 1h20 is enough to transfer, but not enough to make use of excellent F ground facilities in ZRH, and since this would be a special occasion it would be a shame to just skip this part of the experience.

Not to mention my risk aversion just balking at leaving 6h to self-connect after a long-haul with an onwards connection...

But at the end of the day, it's your call whether you can pull off leaving a day earlier. Obviously financially it makes sense ($4600 saved on the tickets will easily pay for the best hotel in London and a great dinner), but I can't know what other, non-financial considerations exist on your side.

cfischer

So these are one-way prices then? UA Polaris > LX First price-wise is nonsense

OP, consider buying a r/t where the return in cheapo Y (throw-away) ... that will bring prices down a lot! You can do cheaper than the below ... just an example

Brostman

Yes, I was looking at one way fares, as our return from Asia is HKG-DXB-ORD. I understand your strategy, and wasn't aware that it would make that kind of a difference. When you found this routing, I presume you were using a multi-city search to find applicable routes? Thank you for your insight.

cfischer

I used ITA matrix ... easiest to find there for mixed cabin itineraries. It's about $2kish for ORD-LHR with a dummy return, seen $1900, but not too much time tight now