A connecting flight is twice as many miles and a night at a good hotel.
A connection flight may be way cheaper than a direct flight, and it is awarded more miles. You can even make such flights a separate adventure: if you have more than 8 hours between the flights, you can leave the airport and walk in the city.
Many airline companies offer you a free room in a good hotel if you have a connecting flight (in case if you have a 6-hour gap or more between the flights) and a city tour.