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I have a small dliemma, and I'd like to solicit opinions and experience on some routings.

We currently have an award booked for March that includes a non-stop YVR-IAH segment in domestic First. The two problems with this itinerary are the 7:00 AM departure and the almost 8 hour layover in Houston.

Two other currently available options are YVR-ORD-IAH with YVR-ORD in domestic First and ORD-IAH in Coach, and YVR-PDX-IAH all in Coach. Both are longer end-to-end, but depart about an hour and a half later, and reduce our time in Houston to under 3 hours. Of course, there's also the added risk of the additional layover.

So would you do? And, more importantly, what am I missing or failing to take into account? To summarize, the options (as I see them) are

1. Keep YVR-IAH in F and accept the early departure and long layover. Net totals: 4:25 in F, 7:40 in layovers.
2. Take the YVR-ORD-IAH flight, which guarantees us one segment in F, but we would waitlist for IN inventory to open on ORD-IAH (738). Net totals: 4:00 in F, 2:49 in Y, 3:47 in layovers.
3. Take the YVR-ORD-IAH flight, and waitlist for IN inventory to open on PDX-IAH (738). Net total: 1:15 on a Q300, 4:09 in Y, 5:01 in layovers.

#2 and #3 seem pretty comparable, though I don't know how likely it is that IN would open on PDX-IAH (which I'm guessing is much more likely than ORD-IAH), and that 1:15 on a Q300 doesn't excite me either. Yes, I also know that domestic F is nothing to write home about, but it's still a nicer seat for a 4-hour flight.

I would keep the nonstop and waitlist for the later YVR-IAH nonstop.

My decision would be driven above all else by the risk of a cancel/misconnect, both of which seem within the realm of the possible with UAX and/or an ORD connection.

There are worse airports than IAH for that layover. Terminal E UC, shower, grab a bite at Pappadeux . . . .

If you were earning more miles and/or gaining more than 90 minutes in YVR, I might view the choices differently. But don't see enough of a benefit with these two alternatives.

is trying to waitlist for an earlier flight from IAH->destination a possibility, while keeping the YVR-IAH nonstop?

not sure about the reliability of the Q300 flight (is it AC?), but if its anything like the Q200/Q400 flights, i'd avoid that option.

UA has been canceling, delaying flights with unbelievably regularity (about the only thing you can count on with UA is that one of your flights will be delayed for four or more hours or cancelled). I'd go for fewer connections, even if it's a longer layover.

With a layover that long, you can go out and get some Texas BBQ.

Don't add another connection. Rent a car and head into Houston.

Flight operated by AC YVR PDX

Thanks for all the advice.

The only one I can imagine would be EWR, but seven hours at even a nice airport is tough to stomach.

If there was one, I would. There is only one non-stop per day.

It would be much more valuable - 90 more minutes in bed.

One flight per day to SCL as well.

Alas, +1 doesn't eat red meat.

Why would I ever want to deliberately enter the (arm)pit of hell?

Come on, you and I both know ORD is worse than IAH

Upgrade potential and flight experience
 

I would stick with the 8-hour layover at iah and hang out at UC or lounge for whichever airline is taking you to SCL. Isn't there a spa or mall with both Texas BBQ and Texas vegetarian to eat? Surely as you've already flown to Memphis for BBQ, you'll want to have Texas BBQ as well!

if the connection flights have any screw-up, you run the risk of missing that sole iah-scl flight as well.

Usually you're the one who answers these kinds of queries! I still love your mantra of how to get that Upgraded seat: just buy the fare :-). (And yes that's what I do for sfo/ord)

Be my guest and stay away from the "(arm)pit of hell." We're doing just fine without you!

I would stick with the non-stop. IAH is not my favorite place either, but the lounge is not bad, there are shower facilities, and if you really have no work to do you can load up your iPad with movies and veg out in the TV room, perhaps pulling a couple chairs together and taking a snooze.

I hate connecting if it can be avoided (now that MR is about dead).

Not in my book.

I think you have me confused with someone else. The only time I was ever in Memphis was on my way to Brinkley Arkansas to buy a plane in 1996. Texas BBQ is my favorite style - Memphis style is actually my least favorite.

I'm with you on that, but 90 minutes of sleep is still pretty valuable. Maybe it's time to try out the Fairmont at the airport the night before.

My first memory of Texas was driving I-10 from New Orleans. We crossed the border and saw the mileage marker - Mile 878. Flat as far as the eye can see. If that's not hell, I don't know what is.

Actually I think SFO and IAH are the two best domestic hubs in the system. LAX is least likely to have weather issues but the terminal sucks.

The lack of good lounges at the airport.

I'm late to this thread, but as a fellow YVR based flyer, I'd second the consensus to stick with the non-stop.

I've had excellent seafood meals at Pappadeux in IAH, and the UC there is better than average, too. IAH certainly has more appealing terminal space than IAD or LAX (as has been mentioned). ORD has certain charms, like the piano playing UA crew who give impromptu concertos near C-17 or Rick Bayliss's Mexican sandwiches from Frontera. But it has a real weather risk that I'd avoid adding to a winter trip.

And if you're connecting to a once daily flight to South America, I'd not want to take the chance of snow at ORD, or Mx, risking that connection.

A good book, Netflix, or work will make the layover at IAH go faster.