US and CO want the same price for PHL-IAH ($292 all in.). CO is flying B737s with snack/meal service in Y. US flies EMB170s with no meal/snack service. I have never been "fortunate" enough to fly on an EMB. I have been on a CRJ. Is the EMB as bad? I have status on US, none on CO. Departure/arrival times are comparable. I have already re-qualified for silver this year on US. I don't expect to hit 50K in miles this year (have about 32K), so this flight wouldn't help in that aspect. Is CO the better choice in my regard, against the "LCC?"

WN has non-stops to HOU, but on the return only connections.

The EMB170 is a pretty nice aircraft. I'm not sure what the pitch is, but it's much more roomy than a CRJ. Most normal size carry ons will fit without being checked, too.

... US flies EMB170s with no meal/snack service. I have never been "fortunate" enough to fly on an EMB. I have been on a CRJ. Is the EMB as bad? ...

The CO 737 (300-500) actually has a seat pitch 1 or 2" shorter than the US EMB140 - i.e, the EMB should be more comfortable. I have flow this route many times on CO, but always in F, so I really can't comment on the Y service.

IMHO, airline food is airline food so blah on that. I think it'd come down to who had the better looking seats on seatguru.com pitch and width-wise. The bonus miles on US aren't much, but hey... it's something.

:) CO is the Best Choice Here..A Regular size aircraft..not a regional jet for 3 hours..and free meals..and some of the flights will have inflight movies..plus the excellent service CO is known for!..Take CO!

Wirelessly posted (Samsung-SPHA900 AU-MIC-A900/2.0 MMP/2.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1)

170 has 2 x 2 seating very comfy seats!

The US E70s are more comfortable (with attentive services 1:36 ratio) than just about any other domestic plane period. AA's head rests are a little better and I could argue that a UA E+ seat is more comfortable when the middle is empty but the E70s is great. New, smells nice and everything.

Would definitely vote US unless you are going for Skyteam status.

Not only is the pitch better in an E70 than a CO 73X, so is the width--it's 18.25" vs. 17". So if you're next to a big guy, he's more likely to fit in his seat! As others have said, the E70 doesn't feel like an RJ at all, and would be my recommendation.

US and CO want the same price for PHL-IAH ($292 all in.). CO is flying B737s with snack/meal service in Y. US flies EMB170s with no meal/snack service. I have never been "fortunate" enough to fly on an EMB. I have been on a CRJ. Is the EMB as bad? I have status on US, none on CO. Departure/arrival times are comparable. I have already re-qualified for silver this year on US. I don't expect to hit 50K in miles this year (have about 32K), so this flight wouldn't help in that aspect. Is CO the better choice in my regard, against the "LCC?"

WN has non-stops to HOU, but on the return only connections.

IMHO, snack/meal shouldn't be a big factor in this equation. According to previous posts on the thread, it seems like seat comfort is comparable (perhaps better on US). Then, your status on US should outweigh any other small advantages you might have with CO. With status on US, you are probably treated better than without status on CO. Perks like priority check-in, priority security line (sometimes not applicable in PHL, I know), and priority boarding are very nice perks. Thus, I would probably go with US.

LAX

US and CO want the same price for PHL-IAH ($292 all in.). CO is flying B737s with snack/meal service in Y. US flies EMB170s with no meal/snack service. I have never been "fortunate" enough to fly on an EMB. I have been on a CRJ. Is the EMB as bad? I have status on US, none on CO. Departure/arrival times are comparable. I have already re-qualified for silver this year on US. I don't expect to hit 50K in miles this year (have about 32K), so this flight wouldn't help in that aspect. Is CO the better choice in my regard, against the "LCC?"

WN has non-stops to HOU, but on the return only connections.


much nicer terminal F for US compare with CO arrangments, especilay if you US Club member.

I've done the PHL-IAH trip on the EMB170s a few times. I'd recommend them over CO from an experience point of view. The 2-2 seating is very nice, and the seats are comfortable. The smaller size means less of a line to board and get off.

I'd take CO if these conditions apply:

- You have a largish carry-on stroller. The CO planes have more overhead stowage.

- You want to catch an earlier flight if your IAH work gets done early. CO has better frequencies.

much nicer terminal F for US compare with CO arrangments, especilay if you US Club member.

Actually, due to their size, E70's don't use terminal F in PHL; they use B & C.

The E170 is more or less the size of some of the early F28s and F100s that US used to have. It's not really a regional jet at all, with a seating capacity of 72 passengers.

And, US has a seat pitch of 32"-33" between rows vs. CO's 31". That, plus the 2x2 seating vs. 3x3 makes it a hands down choice for me.

I don't expect to hit 50K in miles this year (have about 32K), so this flight wouldn't help in that aspect.

Will your travel drop significantly over the latter part of the year? It isn't quite June and if you have 32K you are on track for over 60K. Based on others replies and I have to agree about the E-170, I'd book US. You never know when that unexpected trip will come up and push you over the top for Gold.

Will your travel drop significantly over the latter part of the year? It isn't quite June and if you have 32K you are on track for over 60K. Based on others replies and I have to agree about the E-170, I'd book US. You never know when that unexpected trip will come up and push you over the top for Gold.Well, this trip to IAH is a scouting/convincing mission. My gf is definitely moving to IAH in June, 2007. Either I am going with her, or I am not. I like having 4 seasons, hilly topography, etc. So, this trip is to convince me to move there. Having grown up in South Florida, I have an idea of what to expect in Houston in the summer, except even a little hotter, with no ocean breeze to cool off in the evening. That's my main sticking point, since I work outdoors in my profession. I got tired of the heat and humidity of South Florida and the hurricanes. I can deal with winter so much better. If I move there, CO becomes my carrier of choice (I already have 62K miles on them from travel in the past).

So, I have no planned trips on US for the rest of the year. Though, that usually changes by August when I start planning weekly or bi-weekly trips to FLL in winter. Three of the trips that put me over the 25K threshold for silver were 50 Cent winners (PHL-PHX, PHL-STT, PHL-FRA). So, those flights were a gift to keep me at silver until 2/08. If I took this trip to IAH, plus add 2 RTs to FLL, I would still be far from gold. Unexpected trips are few and far for me. Since all my travel is leisure.

But, of course US runs out of fares in the fare bucket I was looking (within the past hour), and CO now wins the race by $30, unless I change my dates. :(

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I didn't realize the E170 was a comfortable AC. I can live w/ 32"-33" seat pitch! ^

Well, this trip to IAH is a scouting/convincing mission. My gf is definitely moving to IAH in June, 2007. Either I am going with her, or I am not. I like having 4 seasons, hilly topography, etc. So, this trip is to convince me to move there. Having grown up in South Florida, I have an idea of what to expect in Houston in the summer, except even a little hotter, with no ocean breeze to cool off in the evening. That's my main sticking point, since I work outdoors in my profession. I got tired of the heat and humidity of South Florida and the hurricanes. I can deal with winter so much better. If I move there, CO becomes my carrier of choice (I already have 62K miles on them from travel in the past).

So, I have no planned trips on US for the rest of the year. Though, that usually changes by August when I start planning weekly or bi-weekly trips to FLL in winter. Three of the trips that put me over the 25K threshold for silver were 50 Cent winners (PHL-PHX, PHL-STT, PHL-FRA). So, those flights were a gift to keep me at silver until 2/08. If I took this trip to IAH, plus add 2 RTs to FLL, I would still be far from gold. Unexpected trips are few and far for me. Since all my travel is leisure.

But, of course US runs out of fares in the fare bucket I was looking (within the past hour), and CO now wins the race by $30, unless I change my dates. :(

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I didn't realize the E170 was a comfortable AC. I can live w/ 32"-33" seat pitch! ^

You're wise to stick with CO. The 170 is a slightly better a/c, but CO is still connected to their markets and customers to a much greater degree than US. I tend to choose who I fly by the airline instead of by the a/c.

My gf purchased the tickets without my knowledge. She just wanted to get it over with. I was still on the table. So, after she purchased, the system wouldn't grant her two seats side-by-side (she's a US peon). :confused: So, when she e-mailed me the confirmation code, I went in, placed my DM# (US4? = silver) in the PNR, it allowed me to select both our seats (riding in row 2 both ways) together. However, it kept me from selecting seats in the rear of the plane. :confused: Not that I wanted to fly in the rear, but I thought it was odd.

My first time in an EMB170. ^ Very comfortable. I liked the leg room. I could actually cross my legs (and I am 6'). Leather seats aren't too bad either. Though, my gf's seat had some schmutz on it. Overall, a nice plane to fly on.

The Republic crew was excellent as well. ^