Independence Air iClub - IAD-TPA OW $137.20 UA & $178 FlyI

810 UA miles w/ at least 36 mo expectancy vs. 178*2 FlyI pts that expire in 12 mo
times are roughly the same.. hmmm which shall I take

why does FlyI not want my business????

All I know is that I think that FLYi should go to at least 4 points on the ticket dollar to be able to compete more effectively.

competition is very stiff at IAD right now. Flyi's price might be higher because more seats have been sold on flyi. united's flt to TPA may still have the cheaper seats left to sell. i don't know for sure but usually that's the way it happens.

Also keep in mind that United has been bankrupt for 2 years without consequence (except to their customers and employees) and I think they realized there's no need to make money in order to stay in business. So that gives them an unfair advantage.

Just my thoughts.

Also keep in mind that United has been bankrupt for 2 years without consequence (except to their customers and employees) and I think they realized there's no need to make money in order to stay in business. So that gives them an unfair advantage.

Just my thoughts.


"...their customers..."?!?!? We who fly UA haven't suffered at all throughout the BK process. In fact, we've been rewarded with more points, upgrades (more about them later) and otherperks.

Hmmmm....let's see...flying around a limited route network on dumpy little RJs that require the assistance of a giant shoehorn and a tub of Vaseline in order to wedge yourself into with no chance of upgrading (What's that?!?!?) or taking an award ticket to someplace worth visiting. Contrast that with sitting in E+ with the middle seat blocked when you haven't used your free upgrades to fly to HI (since you, meaning everyone on this board, flies FlyI I'll explain that HI is a chain of tropical islands in the Pacific ocean served by real airlines), Paris (the "city of lights", the capital of France) or some other desireable location. Syracuse is NOT a desireable location, I can say that because I'm from there.

In case you haven't figured it out yet I would take United. ;)

why does FlyI not want my business????

Wow, 5500+ posts on this board and you still haven't figured out pricing?!?

Hmmmm....let's see...flying around a limited route network on dumpy little RJs that require the assistance of a giant shoehorn and a tub of Vaseline in order to wedge yourself into

Have you ever flown on FLYI? The CRJs may not have the room of UAL first, but you can't compare the UAL CRJs (which are like you described) and the FLYI CRJs. FLYI has spent money to make the CRJ comfortable.

As for your other rant about miles and FF awards, and geography lesson ( :td: :rolleyes: ) ... we've already had that discussion on this board a long time ago. The business flyer and FF junkie might stay with the legacy carrier, but FLYI reaches out to a group of travelers that were sorely mistreated by the legacy carriers for YEARS... those that aren't premier executives, who want to be treated decent without having to be a premier executive with 5 zillion miles under their belt, who have to pay for their own ticket, etc...

Before I worked for airlines I used to be one of those flyers who would take a few flights a year, not enough to get status or awards or even upgrades, and I was treated like something the customer "service" agents had stepped in... because I didn't have "status". AND to top it off, in those days without the cutthroat LCC competition, I paid top dollar for my horrible service and late flights.

So now, FLYI comes along and offers reasonably priced fares, an expanding route network, clean planes with comfortable seats, an excellent on-time performance record, and exceptional customer service. Who am I going to choose (even when the legacy carriers slash their fares)?

In case you haven't figured it out I would take FLYI ;) ^

Hmmmm....let's see...flying around a limited route network on dumpy little CRJs that require the assistance of a giant shoehorn and a tub of Vaseline in order to wedge yourself into with no chance of upgrading because you aren't worthy enough for their 'status'.

or taking a spacious A319 to the real "City of Lights" Las Vegas where you can play at the Paris Casino or some other desireable establishment (I like the Palms and the Hard Rock myself).

I'm sorry but I have never met a UA FA (contractors are not included) that I felt made my trip more enjoyable. In fact quite the opposite, I remember one that irritated me so bad that even though I was just 3,000 miles from elite qualification I quit flying UA for the rest of the year in protest.

...FLYI reaches out to a group of travelers...


So they're going after the same market as Greyhound? ;)

So they're going after the same market as Greyhound? ;)
No, that's left for WN. The people I have on my DH flights seem to be a good bit more professional, and a lot fewer children. I'm thinking the market is more like the small-business owner where the cost of tickets comes out of their own pocket. I've seen several people on last-minute tickets going to try and sign a business deal for their small company. Not to say that's even a majority, but nothing like the kids I saw on WN. Then again, I haven't taken DH to Florida yet, so those routes may be different.