How long a buffer do you leave for positioning flight?
Apr 12, 2013 | 11:30 am
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
OP hasn't said where the connection would be. Airport really does matter and whether it's in the USA really does matter.
As a practical matter, US carriers will deal with separate PNRs as misconnects (AA actually guarantees it on AA or OW). The issue then is availability. The fact that you will be acommodated doesn't mean anytime soon. And, any carrier will deal with its misconnects before separate PNR's.
Outside the USA, on discounted tickets, important to remember that most carriers enforce zero value if you miss your flight. In other words, you buy a new ticket on the next available flight at whatever walk-up fare is avail at the time.
My vote is for an overnight.
As a practical matter, US carriers will deal with separate PNRs as misconnects (AA actually guarantees it on AA or OW). The issue then is availability. The fact that you will be acommodated doesn't mean anytime soon. And, any carrier will deal with its misconnects before separate PNR's.
Outside the USA, on discounted tickets, important to remember that most carriers enforce zero value if you miss your flight. In other words, you buy a new ticket on the next available flight at whatever walk-up fare is avail at the time.
My vote is for an overnight.
Aug 31, 2013 | 8:07 pm
#20
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
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Posts: 33,856
As long as possible. Last year I had a UA PS award booking from JFK and I bought a DL RDU-JFK flight with only 1hr40 or so between the two. I ended up having to reschedule the UA flight when my DL one got delayed. I've resolved to leave more since then.
Also, in 2011 I went up to IAD to start an award trip booked on KLM in J. I left four hours which proved smart when my first flight out of RDU was canceled. I think at least 2 hours for domestic and 4 hours for international is a good start. More so if the flight you're catching will be the last of the day.
Also, in 2011 I went up to IAD to start an award trip booked on KLM in J. I left four hours which proved smart when my first flight out of RDU was canceled. I think at least 2 hours for domestic and 4 hours for international is a good start. More so if the flight you're catching will be the last of the day.