Trip Reports - Real Time: BOS-DCA On US Shuttle With Capital Hilton

On Friday evening, May 12, a friend and I decided to take advantage of an e-saver on US for a BOS-DCA trip. Actually, DL was still offering a $80 fare, so I called them first. This weekend was the last time one could use the DL promotion. The first DL rep I got on the phone indicated that for the $80 rate, you had to book it 24 hours in advance of the actual flight time. Since I was calling at 9PM on Friday night, she would not book it. I told her, that in my experience, usually such a rule iis interpretted to mean anytime on the previous day….like a 1 day advance purchase. She said that, while such was true with regular published fares, this promotion really meant 24 literal hours. So I called the DL promotion line back again, and voilla, I got an agent who said it would be no problem to book the reservation. He found an outbound flight on Comair, however, no return flights DCA-BOS (even with connections) were available for Sunday 5/14. It had to be booked in a T class, which they did not have available.

CO wanted to charge about $600…the nerve you have Gordon & Greg? So while I’m CO platinum I went to the US web site for the $120 e-saver. I like the ability on the US web site (and travelocity) to see all published fares in a market. It even shows the e-savers in the list. Only drawback? They don’t give the 1,000 online booking bonus for e-savers. I thought of that 50% off coupon on Expedia, but the published fare was $175. So I booked online, and my friend booked via phone. The only return flights on Sunday were around 11A and then 9pm.

Saturday May 13th:
I ambitiously planned to go into work for a few hours, and then take the 4PM shuttle. However, as usual, this plan fell apart. I ended up leaving home at around 11, planning to take the 1PM. I had to stop by the office to get a battery charger for my laptop (old one seems to be lost). Took the subway in, and it was as crowded as during the week. Someone sat next to me, reading the newspaper, and taking up half of my space. The train made Park Street last stop (people from BOS will be familiar), and I seemlessly connected to an awaiting red line train. Got off at south station, and ordered flowers for my mother on the walk to the office. Got to the office, got the charger (at least we had one), and took a cab which quickly got me to BOS at about noon.


US6523 BOS-DCA 1:00P
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Checked in at the US shuttle ticket counter near the gates. I was told the 4PM flight I was originally booked on had been canceled. “Put him on whatever he wants…he’s early,” one agent said to the next. I got booked on the 1PM, which is the same flight my friend was on. Got 3C, and they assigned friend 3A even though he had not yet arrived. Next went to the Legal Seafoods, bar near shuttle gates, which I must say is a pretty good airport bar. I don’t have a US or AA club membership, so occasionally must hang out in the “regular” terminal areas. It’s interesting to see the differences, etc. It turned out that my cell phone was forwarded to my home phone, and home phone forwarded to cell. That’s what happens when you have these interconnected phone set-ups. Fixed that, and then got a call from my friend who was at the gate. The flight boarded a bit late, and it was a 737. The flight was uneventful, and we got into DCA very close to the scheduled time. They were de-planing from both the front and rear doors. I did not know they did this on the 737 equipment, or the BOS-DCA shuttles.

Took the metro and then a cab to the Capital Hilton located on 16th and K. Street. The biggest point they advertise at this Hilton, on the web site, is a newly opened health spa. At check in, “oh you’re an Honors Gold member,” and then an upgrade to a parlor suite on the 4th floor. The towers level suites were all booked, but we were given the card to access the 10th floor towers level lounge. Also, perhaps because the person liked me, we were given vouchers for full American breakfast in the restaurant. My friends were amazed at what the gold card could get somebody. The suite is nice. Had to call to have the air conditioning fixed in the bedroom, but after getting back last night it worked.

Went to the towers lounge, and they had egg rolls and some kind of cheese pastry. Both pretty good, especially the cheese pastry. A couple of friends from DC joined us for drinks, and then we went to a local place called the Town House Pub.

I’m now in the hotel, Sunday morning, typing this trip report. I really have to swap out my Sony Vaio slim line laptop for a Dell Latitude LS. Just got them in recently, and the Dell keyboard is far better. I don’t know if I can stand this Sony keyboard for too too many trips. The Dell is also nearly as small as the Sony, though the Sony probably looks a bit more stylish.I will post details on the return to BOS later, since obviously I’m not back yet. Have not decided which flight to taike back….booked on the 9PM.

We ended up using our 2 breakfast coupons for room service. And the extra charge on the bill was only $6.60...for two full breakfasts.

My friend ate and drank a good bit from the mini-bar. I don't think he appreciates what that is going to run him. He is hopeful that the hotel will neglect to add the charge...but I told him not to hold his breath on that one.

We got to DCA at about 4PM, and went to the shuttle counter outside security. There was about an eight minute wait in line. Got to an agent, and after looking at the reservations booked for the 9PM to BOS...she said that my fare did not allow travel until 7PM. I told her that I did not know of an e-saver fare rule that required you to wait until 7PM to travel. I suppose the rules do say perhaps you cannot stand-by. Actually looking at endorsement box on receipt it says "no standby." She said I would have to talk to a supervisor if I wanted to fly any earlier than 7PM. Then she seemed to confer with the agent next to her, and he pronounced "just let them go." I am not sure if he was a supervisor or not. Then apparently the 5PM flight DCA-BOS was "zeroed out," meaning there were no seats to sell in the computer for it. Though I am not sure the flight was over-sold. It may have just been that the class for the e-saver (V I think) was not available. After about 3 or 4 minutes of typing into her computer, she managed to get it to "take." We had seats 15A and 15B.

The flight itself was fine...the usual...full but some stand-by pax got on. Asked gate agent if they were taking volunteers/oversold, but he said flight had seats. Then on the landing into BOS, the pilot made an announcement that if we saw an airplane off to the right of the aircraft it was landing on another runway, implying for pax not to worry about it. They seemed to be landing on 4-right and 4-left Logan's paralel runways.

Took a cab home, and got a driver that did not know where he was going at all, and/or trying to drive around to charge more.

So another quick weekend trip...would recommend the DCA Capital Hilton...as well as the bar mentioned earlier. At bar, appetizers were especially good...rest of food average/good (not bad, just average). DCA natives say the hotel is very close to many things...especially conference/business locations. It is on the red line...Faragut North stop.

Oh yes, and DC very crowded with people from Million Mom march. Metro especially crowded, and sat next to someone on plane who was at the march...said close to 500,000 people...good speeches, etc. Nice day in DC weather wise for it.

[This message has been edited by jetsetter (edited 05-14-2000).]

Stayed at the Capitol Hilton a little while back too. Was impressed that even when Honors reservations said the only non-smoking rooms available had 2 double beds - the good folks at the front desk immediately upgraded me to a non-smoking king on the Towers level (it is nice that these folks remember the gold perk of getting towers rooms when available). I'd recommend it too for a return, especially as a Gold HHonors.