SchnookoLoly

Generally that's whta we do, though it depends on how much cheaper.

For example, Transat coming up $50 cheaper than AC... I'd pick AC. First on AC I can pick my seats, plus I get Aeroplan points, plus it's generally a nicer airline, plus it means flying into Heathrow instead of Gatwick. So on the balance of things, for me, AC is worth the extra $50.

However, if Transat were coming up, say, $250 cheaper... that would be a different story. $250 difference isn't worth a handful of points or even being at the marginally more convenient airport - I'd save more by flying Transat on the balance of things. Every other flight - which was 1-2 a year - was either AC or BA. Probably about 50-50 between the two.

So it depends how much of a price difference is being discussed. In 5 years of living in the UK, we only flew Transat twice - once they really were the cheapest option by quite a margin, and the second time was for our respective one-way flights as Transat is the only carrier that does one-way fares that are actually half the cost of return fares. (Plus their far superior bike-checking policy!)

bgpz

Not on flights within North America.
Free booze on international, though.

ChrisBan

True, but I suspect that's consistent for most airlines.