tough choices
I have a choice to make about travel.
Option 1: nonstop flight both ways, $500 fare. Departs & returns in both directions at good times. Minus: not on an airline that I get any sort of frequent flyer perqs with, so no lounge or preferred seating.
Option 2: change planes in both directions. Departs earlier than I would like on the outbound leg (0645, which isn't early, but getting to the airport for a flight that early would suck). Return flight is much less appealing, leaving 1h30m before ideal time, not to mention a 2h20m layover. Minus: outbound flight is "one stop, no change of planes", which means fewer frequent flyer miles and no guarantee of a connection (the flight number just lies). Plus: have FF status with this airline. $400 fare.
Option 3: Partner airline. Change planes in both directions. Even earlier departure (0610), but better return flight (almost perfect, not counting the stop en route). $360 fare. I think the alliance would let me do lounge, not sure about potential for first class upgrade.
Option 4: another partner airline. Change planes in both directions, but this one involves Newark. On the way back I'd either have a 40 minute layover (eugh) or 2h10m layover. Definitely have lounge access, not sure about potential for first class upgrade. Also $360.
My dates are fixed (on one side by work, on the other side by a ride back to the airport), so I don't have any good flexibility.
Which way should I go? I'm not very price sensitive, but would much much prefer some sort of FF miles/benefits if I can get them. It seems I can't win here.
broken poll code here. Trying to figure out what's going on....
Option 1: nonstop flight both ways, $500 fare. Departs & returns in both directions at good times. Minus: not on an airline that I get any sort of frequent flyer perqs with, so no lounge or preferred seating.
Option 2: change planes in both directions. Departs earlier than I would like on the outbound leg (0645, which isn't early, but getting to the airport for a flight that early would suck). Return flight is much less appealing, leaving 1h30m before ideal time, not to mention a 2h20m layover. Minus: outbound flight is "one stop, no change of planes", which means fewer frequent flyer miles and no guarantee of a connection (the flight number just lies). Plus: have FF status with this airline. $400 fare.
Option 3: Partner airline. Change planes in both directions. Even earlier departure (0610), but better return flight (almost perfect, not counting the stop en route). $360 fare. I think the alliance would let me do lounge, not sure about potential for first class upgrade.
Option 4: another partner airline. Change planes in both directions, but this one involves Newark. On the way back I'd either have a 40 minute layover (eugh) or 2h10m layover. Definitely have lounge access, not sure about potential for first class upgrade. Also $360.
My dates are fixed (on one side by work, on the other side by a ride back to the airport), so I don't have any good flexibility.
Which way should I go? I'm not very price sensitive, but would much much prefer some sort of FF miles/benefits if I can get them. It seems I can't win here.
broken poll code here. Trying to figure out what's going on....