I am about too book flights to LAS for mid-march, probably a monday or tuesday outbound from PHL or CLT and a wednesday or thursday back east. So with both the 757 shrinkage, and the unlimited upgrades coming March 1. I am bewildered as to what to do. As a SP, i think my chances are weak to score F seats for both myself and my girlfriend. So do I take that huge risk and probably end up in coach? Book an extra connection through LAX, adding 10 dollars to each ticket, allowing me to fly west on a 321 and then to LAS on a 320? or Fly united in E+, i have never done this so I have no idea, except from reading here, as to what this product is like. Bring on the opinions, thanks in advance.
planeluvr
Feb 16, 04, 7:38 pm
I have been flying through SFO and LAX to go to LAS. I don't mind the Terminal changes too bad and the extra miles are great. I have bought a few first class tickets with those routings and love the service I receive from United on such a short flight. Imagine using glass for beverage service. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
I like the Airbus and with 8 F seats on the 757, I believe it's the way to go.
shinbal
Feb 16, 04, 7:51 pm
Personally, I love the idea of the A321 to the coast, with the UA 320 to LAS. That flight is so short it doesn't matter where you sit.
As far as E+: I like it for space better than F on US in many respects.
kudzu
Feb 16, 04, 8:28 pm
I had a similar schedule as yours last week - Tue outbound from CLT and Thu return in the reconfigured 757. Alas, nobody could be upgraded as F was full. I was content, though, to be in 8D both ways...on the return, I sat next to a 6' 6" ex-FBI security consultant who said he merely told his client, "Get me seats up front, or in an exit row" for the legroom. I will continue to ask for rows 8 or 9 whenever I fly the reconfigured 757.
If time is not a factor and for only a few dollars more, then yes, an Airbus to the coast (increasing UG chances), and whatever for the short flight to LAS would seem an ideal way to go.
PHL
Feb 17, 04, 6:11 am
Since US is selling discounted F tickets to LAS, you're chances are most definitely zero to get an upgrade. But I still wouldn't go out of my way with a connection. Why not just get one of the roomy coach rows on the 757 confirmed in advance. CLT to LAS can't be THAT long of a trip.
Plus, if you flew into LAX, you'd have to leave security and transit around the entire airport complex and check back into the UA flight. Probably will add at least two hours to your overall trip when you could be at the tables rolling the dice.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
TomBascom
Feb 17, 04, 7:37 am
I'm in a similar boat but I forgot about the F sale. So I thought I'd check...
1) There's no way to find F fares by price.
2) If you've found flights the web site is happy to let you know about "cheaper" alternates (that might actually be more expensive) but won't offer you an F fare alternative.
3) Coach is available for around $320. F is running $2,270 for the dates I was looking at. Looks like the sale ended. Too bad, I'd have paid a reasonable sum for the seat but no way am I going to shell out $2000+ for it.
I think I like the 321 to LAX/SFO and connect idea http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The sheer perversity of it has appeal. And like the 321 a lot better than those ratty old 757s anyway.
BizJet
Feb 17, 04, 9:04 am
Don't forget that row 26 in the new 757 is great. All the legroom of the new 9ABC without everyone shoving past you as they board. The disadvantages are that you have a longer wait to deplane and the lavatories are directly in front.
I'd take the 757, try for the upgrade, and otherwise sit in coach. It seems silly to make your travel experience significantly more difficult with an unnecessary connection. Especially if your A321 upgrade to LAX doesn't clear!
planeluvr
Feb 17, 04, 12:40 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TomBascom:
I'm in a similar boat but I forgot about the F sale. So I thought I'd check...
1) There's no way to find F fares by price.
2) If you've found flights the web site is happy to let you know about "cheaper" alternates (that might actually be more expensive) but won't offer you an F fare alternative.
3) Coach is available for around $320. F is running $2,270 for the dates I was looking at. Looks like the sale ended. Too bad, I'd have paid a reasonable sum for the seat but no way am I going to shell out $2000+ for it.
I think I like the 321 to LAX/SFO and connect idea http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The sheer perversity of it has appeal. And like the 321 a lot better than those ratty old 757s anyway.</font>
You have to book through Expedia and it is available through March 31st. Just do multi-city and first class and it will price out at around $537.
planeluvr
Feb 17, 04, 12:51 pm
Here is an example of the routing you may use for First Class to LAS:
Total price for this trip: $543.50
Tue 9-Mar-04
Manchester (MHT)
Depart 6:30 am to Pittsburgh (PIT)
Arrive 8:12 am Duration: 1hr 42mn
Total miles: 2354 mile(s) (3788 km)
Total duration: 5hr 38mn (6hr 51mn with connections)
[This message has been edited by planeluvr (edited Feb 17, 2004).]
TravelScholar
Feb 17, 04, 4:03 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by planeluvr:
Here is an example of the routing you may use for First Class to LAS:
Total price for this trip: $543.50
</font>
Now THIS seems like the way to go! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif You get an F seat without sweating out upgrades (which as SP, you probably have next to no chance at, even on an A321 via LAX/SFO), and at only a couple hundred more than a coach fare anyway.
[This message has been edited by TravelScholar (edited Feb 17, 2004).]
StSebastian
Feb 17, 04, 6:17 pm
And bonus status (& redeemable) miles for flying paid F.
planeluvr
Feb 17, 04, 6:22 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by StSebastian:
And bonus status (& redeemable) miles for flying paid F.</font>
You get 50% COS bonus that counts as preferred miles and the fare qualifies for the buy 3 get 1 free promotion.
Nevada1K
Feb 18, 04, 2:14 am
Don't forget: SFO-LAS and LAX-LAS on UA are now all "Ted" flights; all coach A320 with E+ but no F.
planeluvr
Feb 18, 04, 6:20 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Nevada1K:
Don't forget: SFO-LAS and LAX-LAS on UA are now all "Ted" flights; all coach A320 with E+ but no F.</font>
That is not correct according to United's website, you just have to pick your flights carefully and SFO has 3 flights a day that are not "TED":
Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS)
Thursday, Mar 25
Select Flight Info Depart Arrive Availability Stops Dist (mi) On-time
United Airlines 1480
(Operated by United For Ted)
Airbus 32S 6:45 am
Los Angeles (LAX) 7:49 am
Las Vegas (LAS) Coach Y Non-stop 236 90%
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 498
Airbus A320 8:43 am
Los Angeles (LAX) 9:50 am
Las Vegas (LAS) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 80%
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 1484
(Operated by United For Ted)
Airbus 32S 10:43 am
Los Angeles (LAX) 11:48 am
Las Vegas (LAS) Coach Y Non-stop 236
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 386
Airbus A320 12:50 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 1:57 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 80%
United Airlines 380
Airbus A320 4:36 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 5:39 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 352
Airbus A320 6:00 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 7:03 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 80%
United Airlines 306
Airbus A320 10:17 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 11:24 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 80%
Everyday Leisure Fares
Las Vegas (LAS) to Los Angeles (LAX)
Friday, Mar 26
Select Flight Info Depart Arrive Availability Stops Dist (mi) On-time
United Airlines 563
Airbus A320 6:54 am
Las Vegas (LAS) 7:53 am
Los Angeles (LAX) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 80%
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 1483
(Operated by United For Ted)
Airbus 32S 8:47 am
Las Vegas (LAS) 9:48 am
Los Angeles (LAX) Coach Y Non-stop 236 90%
United Airlines 559
Airbus A320 10:55 am
Las Vegas (LAS) 12:00 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 70%
United Airlines 555
Airbus A320 2:42 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 3:46 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 505
Airbus A320 4:05 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 5:10 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236 70%
Everyday Leisure Fares
United Airlines 281
Airbus A320 6:29 pm
Las Vegas (LAS) 7:33 pm
Los Angeles (LAX) 1st Y, Coach Y Non-stop 236
[This message has been edited by planeluvr (edited Feb 18, 2004).]
StSebastian
Mar 8, 04, 3:36 pm
How much time do you need for this US/UA connection in LAX or SFO? I might have this shortly.
Thanks!
planeluvr
Mar 8, 04, 6:38 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by StSebastian:
How much time do you need for this US/UA connection in LAX or SFO? I might have this shortly.
Thanks!</font>
My connections at SFO have been between an 1 hour and 1.5 hours. Shuttle bus takes you between Terminals. You could make it easily with shorter connection times but you can never tell about the weather at SFO.
SS255
Mar 8, 04, 7:19 pm
It should take 10-20 minutes to take the shuttle between the US-UA terminals (6-8) at LAX, excluding the wait time to re-clear security, which is anybody's guess.
On a related topic, if you're heading to LAS, you may want to read this thread from the UA forum (I hope I posted the link correctly - otherwise do a search for "McCarren Madness").
http://www.flyertalk.com/milesfr.shtml
When I called UA today to have them put my DM # into my account (my travel dept erroneously assumed I was crediting the miles to my UA account) for an upcoming trip to LAS, the phone agent told me he was instructed to alert all customers flying to LAS that the average wait time to clear security alone is two hours. It's best to arrive early so they don't give your F seat away!
StSebastian
Mar 8, 04, 9:08 pm
I was in LAS two weeks ago and there was no security wait. It really depends on the day and time of day that you're going through. If you try to hit the C/D gates on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon/evening with all the WN people going home as well, you're in for a long wait. Leaving on the Tuesday night red-eye? Under 5 minutes.