US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-2005 America West merger) - Bos - Pit $1160

BOS - PIT is still a nice monopoly route with minimum $1160 mid-week fares. I used to fly this in the 1990s and it was around $800..... so much for the "new" US Airways.

I am advising someone flying this route. You can get fares around $250 with a connection. On the return he will arrive in time for the PIT-BOS non-stop. Can he got on this flight on a standby basis? He has no *A status or anything like that.

This "rape me" fare has been going on for far too long. My company is forcing me to fly WN because of this too. I hope the "new" US follows the HP pricing policies or they will still be screwed, or it it us? Either way it sucks.

Fare sale! :rolleyes:

Ok, but what about standing by for the non-stop? IIRC, US used to have some $25 nonsense but definitely worth it in this case. This person has no general interest in flying extra legs to earn miles. :)

Ok, but what about standing by for the non-stop? IIRC, US used to have some $25 nonsense but definitely worth it in this case. This person has no general interest in flying extra legs to earn miles. :)

Yes, for $25 he can do the non-stop space available.

Nice Blow Fare!!!

Interesting that these low fares with connections are only on Orbitz but not the US website.

I just bought two PHL-CDG (Paris) tickets for early November for $535 each all in, less than 1 non-stop round trip ticket PIT-BOS. Insane.

The net result of this will be PIT-PVD or PIT-MHT on LUV. Give it a year, and that fare will drop like a stone.

It's $64 one-way on WN via PHL but there is no early am possibility.

On the outbound one can book the 6:30 AM via PHL and then stand by for the 6:10 AM non-stop to PIT. That's if you are doing a day-trip. On the way back you can stand by on the 5:40 pm.

They shouldn't profess that they have changed their ways with fares like this. Especially since it's 30% above the heyday of high fares in the late 1990s.

BOS-PHL used to be expensive but now you can fly for under $200 on a day trip.

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY next month. Checked fares PHL-ALB -- US wants $900 RT. However, flying from BWI connecting in PHL to ALB = $120 RT. BWI is only 1 hour from me....wonder which I picked?? If US would only be smarter about this -- I would pay $300 or $400 without flinching, but $900? And there are 2 of us travelling so the savings are even larger.

To quote ART.......it's the fares stupid. I would love to meet the buffoon in USAIRWAYS that sets the fares for particular routes. He/She must have a degree in Economics from a 3rd world country.

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY next month. Checked fares PHL-ALB -- US wants $900 RT. However, flying from BWI connecting in PHL to ALB = $120 RT. BWI is only 1 hour from me....wonder which I picked?? If US would only be smarter about this -- I would pay $300 or $400 without flinching, but $900? And there are 2 of us travelling so the savings are even larger.

I've had to do this, too, since PHL-BUF fares are usually in the $900+ range. (If you take Amtrak down, you can just get off in PHL on the way back.) I, too, would pay two to three hundred, but not $900.

If you take Amtrak down, you can just get off in PHL on the way back.

That's exactly what I plan to do.... :cool:

To quote ART.......it's the fares stupid. I would love to meet the buffoon in USAIRWAYS that sets the fares for particular routes. He/She must have a degree in Economics from a 3rd world country.

I thought they were just trained monkeys? :p

DCA-PIT $900.40.

I agree with dukeman. I am almost always willing to pay a premium for the convenience of a nearby airport, in my case DCA. Sometimes it can be almost $200 more than flights from BWI or than competitors flights from IAD. But sorry, $700 more to sit on a little RJ up to PIT isn't worth it (I read that PIT-DCA is going to 1x 733 this fall?!)

As I posted in a thread in USAVIATION.COM


Care to explain why PIT to BOS is consistently $1160.90 R/T? While flying WN to MHT via PHL is only $300.00 R/T. Where is the US premium on this route for such a high price? I bet WN is making money on this route but US isn't. I'm being forced to fly WN at this outrageous price. And if you compare what I get once onboard it's the same. 1 cup of coke and a bag of peanuts/pretzels (well not anymore on US).
For $1160.90 I should be getting an inflight massage with a happy ending!?!? Heck I can fly to Europe for less.


I don't understand how US can justify charging $900.40 on the DCA - PIT route? I'd drive it before I'd spend that much money for a flight. And it's the same amount of time spent in the airport/flying or driving this.

I can only hope the "new US" uses the old HP's pricing policy or they will fail.

On NWA it cost $1280 to fly BOS to DTW. RT It cost $580 to fly BOS to FLT thru DTW RT. And Bos to Tokyo for $900 RT. The reason is demand. The extra cost makes up for the low cost on low traveled destinations.

I agree US doesn't get it! PIT to EWR $910 (Continental doesn't get it either). I can knock the fare down to $347 with FlyI connecting in IAD or $395 on UA connecting in IAD (due to competition with FlyI). It costs me less to go to Hawaii then it does to go to NY on US. End result, I don't fly them on this route.

It is a similar story with PIT to DCA. Fare is $900 on US. I fly into IAD on UA even though it is far less convenient, but the fare is typically $200 to $300. If US were the only game in town to DC, I'd drive. That is what I used to do before FlyI brought the IAD fares down. By the way, I know I should support FlyI by giving them some of my business. Those Star Alliance miles are still too attractive to me. Guess I'll eventually regret not giving FlyI business when they go under and fares go up again.

Even when I am traveling on business, I won't pay blow fares unless I truly don't have another option. I am a big believer in doing business in person whenever possible; however, when only a blow fare exists I will usually choose to do a conference call instead. The airlines would get more business from me if they had reasonable pricing across the board. Something in the 0.20/mile to 0.25/mile range plus taxes and fees for fares. That would still leave plenty of room for profit. 1.29/mile just isn't reasonable (e.g. $910 less $90 for taxes, etc. PIT-EWR).

--Jon

On NWA it cost $1280 to fly BOS to DTW. RT It cost $580 to fly BOS to FLT thru DTW RT. And Bos to Tokyo for $900 RT. The reason is demand. The extra cost makes up for the low cost on low traveled destinations.

High prices drive low demand. US has proved that over and over and over.

Lower the prices and the demand will be there. US has plenty of evidence that this is true -- every time they match a low fare competitor demand soars. And they can't claim that the lower prices are unprofitable -- they're still making $0.25/mile or better on a lot of those routes.

Off topic but and just guessing but since NWA was mentioned... It occurs to me that NWA might want to ponder what has happened to US at PHL. DTW is a much more attractive airport than PHL is from a quick expansion viewpoint. The market isn't quite as underserved and ripe as PHL but it is severely overpriced. I smell an opportunity in the making.

Care to explain why PIT to BOS is consistently $1160.90 R/T? While flying WN to MHT via PHL is only $300.00 R/T


If you live on the West side of Pittsburg, you could consider driving the hour to Akron Canton (CAK) which has lots of cheap flights on AirTran to Lga and Bos (some fares are $100-200 RT). In fact, NW and DL match these fares although they do not have non-stops.) CAK also has good fares to Den and to various Florida destinations. It is certainly worth the drive to avoid these crazy fares.

Care to explain why PIT to BOS is consistently $1160.90 R/T? While flying WN to MHT via PHL is only $300.00 R/T


If you live on the West side of Pittsburg, you could consider driving the hour to Akron Canton (CAK) which has lots of cheap flights on AirTran to Lga and Bos (some fares are $100-200 RT). In fact, NW and DL match these fares although they do not have non-stops.) CAK also has good fares to Den and to various Florida destinations. It is certainly worth the drive to avoid these crazy fares.



Very true. My boss lives in CLE and drives down to CAK for all of her flights to BOS when we have to work in the office. She loves Airtran and their fares. I unfortunately don't live within an hours drive of CAK.

I can only hope that WN causes more airfares to drop at US since WN is ramping up more flights here.

If you live on the West side of Pittsburg, you could consider driving the hour to Akron Canton (CAK) which has lots of cheap flights on AirTran to Lga and Bos (some fares are $100-200 RT).

My folks live in Massilon/Jackson Township, about 10 min south of CAK (door to door). I've driven to PIT from their place to do MR's before... about 2 hours from their house to PIT, so a little under 2 from PIT (airport) to CAK.

CAK's authority is tickled pink to have AirTran and now Frontier there as discount carriers and giving new nonstops to LGA, BOS and DEN. Last survey I saw CAK was in the top 5 fastest growing airports in the country. However, CAK used to be a stronghold for only US and DL. DL has added mainline flights to ATL (used to be only Comair to CVG)... US keeps cutting flights down to 3X PHL and 5-6X CLT, all on CRJs.

However, on US's wonderful price structure, one can fly CAK-LGA or CAK-BOS via a connect in PHL for $88 RT, but CAK-PHL is a BloFare(tm) at like $800 RT. (Ok, had to look... cheapest RT with restrictions is $357RT.) So, one can drive two hours to PIT and get $78RT to PHL. Makes absolutely no sense to me. So the driving to CAK from PIT works both ways... depending on where one is going.

I have family who lives in LGA and they flew LGA-CLE since Continental usually matches AirTran LGA-CAK fares there, and they offer more nonstops. Also, I've had several bad experiences on AirTran (back when they flew LGA-PIT, PHL-PIT). I live 15 minutes from PIT and drove by PIT on my way to CLE to pick them up. Kind of frustrating, but that's the game we all have to play, I suppose.

This is a sad old story. Earlier this summer I was getting a ticket for our neice to fly from PIT to NY to visit us. It was ridiculous on US to LGA. It was a lot cheaper to EWR at least at that time. Since it was going to be EWR I figured I might as well check CO since they would likely have better options for time. They did and it was the same price as US so we went with CO. I just wont pay those fares, there are too many options. Its one of the myriad reasons Im done with US.

Somethings gotta give on PIT-BOS and PIT-New England in general. PIT-MHT and PIT-PVD aren't exactly cheap either for the non-stop if you don't stay Saturday. I haven't flown PIT-BOS midweek in a long time but it's always full for the Thursday and Friday 6pm flight. There are definitely people paying the Blo-Fare.

PIT-MHT non-stop is going away, finally after watching it whither away from packed 737 at peak times, to packed RJ 4 times daily, to packed RJ 2 times daily, to nothing. I've recently been connecting in PHL to get some segs for promo 6689 but it's sad to see PIT-MHT go.

Those are GoFares, alright... Go directly to another airline!

As someone who is planning to go loyal to the new HPUS (I'm persistently annoyed by AA's lack of service to the Bay Area), I have to say I hope HP goes and knocks some sense into those fare planners.

Now I might have to go to PIT too for this meeting, but it's only $198 or $228 IAD-PIT.... thanks to our friends at FlyI.

CAK does not work from BOS with only 2 flights. It is designed for people departing CAK in the morning and returning in the evening. The latest flight from CAK is at 3 pm. Otherwise it might have worked because we are going west of PIT airport. Fares are as low as $44+tax one way.

BOS - PIT is still a nice monopoly route with minimum $1160 mid-week fares.


Moderator...please move this to the Mileage Run forum. ;)

Moderator...please move this to the Mileage Run forum. ;)


WHY?

This thread was about the obscene price for the BOS-PIT route. It's not about a mileage run.

The purpose of a mileage run is to gain the most amount of miles for the least amount of money. That's definitely not the case here.

Note the wink

Note the wink


AAAHHHH ?!?! I blinked and missed the wink


:D

AAAHHHH ?!?! I blinked and missed the wink


:D

Lemme see, that would be $116,000.00 all in to make CP. Im on my way!! ;)

And the story continues. I bought a PIT-PHL nonstop today on Southwest for $22+$14 taxes and fees each way, and will drive the rest of the way to LGA. Oh well. Luckily I also have friends to see in Philly so its not a complete waste of time.

Moderator...please move this to the Mileage Run forum. ;)

LOL :p

And the story continues. I bought a PIT-PHL nonstop today on Southwest for $22+$14 taxes and fees each way, and will drive the rest of the way to LGA. Oh well. Luckily I also have friends to see in Philly so its not a complete waste of time.

In doing some calculating, you would have to drive from Philly to Lga using a rental car ($$). Gas at $3/gal (even presuming a 30 mpg car) costs $0.10/mile. Add in the cost of tolls (I-95 and two bridges in NY and one out of Phila) and I suspect that the one way ground fare (not including your time which I hope is not worthless :eek: ) is at least $50-75. Would it not be cheaper (and perhaps easier) to take your car to another airport (CLE or CAK) and take a LCC from there to LGA directly and then use public transport (Subway/Taxi) :confused:

BOS-PIT is indeed the worst route and direct flights seem to always price around $1k. Argh! :mad:

In regards to flying standby, I had to book a cheaper connecting ticket on Delta from RDU through Atlanta. The direct flight to BOS was boarding next to the Atlanta flight and leaving 30 mnutes later (but arriving much earlier than I was scheduled to arrive). I tried to fly standby at the ticket counter and was unable to as it would have cost something ridiculous. Well, once the Atlanta flight started boarding the GA made an announcement that the flight is full and none of the standbys are making it onto the flight. I had a seat and I also knew the direct BOS flight was not full. I went up to the gate agent and explained this to him. He put me on the BOS flight right away and at no cost. I think the chances of this happening will be slim, but it is possible. Hopefully one day we'll see reasonable fares between BOS & PIT....

WHY?

This thread was about the obscene price for the BOS-PIT route. It's not about a mileage run.

The purpose of a mileage run is to gain the most amount of miles for the least amount of money. That's definitely not the case here.

I believe that was a joke.

Edit:
Didn't realize that the quoted post wasn't the last one in the thread.

Anyway, as others have said, this airfare is ridiculous. I wish I could see the load percentages on these flights.

Per the decision to fly PIT-PHL-car-LGA vs CLE-LGA

1) Rental cars in Philly are cheaper than rental cars in LGA. Usually a LOT cheaper. I want a rental car. I grew up in NYC and don't like public transportation.
2) My wife and I are travelling so rental car costs are spread over two people, where other transportation would require 2 tickets.
3) I have a friend near Philly airport to see, and a family near LGA airport to see.
4) Despite PHL's problems, it still is usually better than LGA for delays. I've often had 4 hour+ delays at LGA (half of that on the runway). While I am nearly always delayed at PHL, it's usually a lot less.
5) It's approximately 120 miles from PHL to LGA. Getting a average of 20 mpg, that's 6 gallons each way x $3 = $18 + tolls for a total of probably about $30 each way, or $60 roundtrip. Add that to the $134 I spent for the tickets, its a total of $200 roundtrip for 2 people.

The additional 2-3 hours for each way PHL to LGA has some opportunity cost, that's for sure, but as I mentioned in my case I have people to see in both places so that is an acceptable cost. Driving to CLE is the same 2 hours each way and I dont have anyone to see in CLE :)

Per the decision to fly PIT-PHL-car-LGA vs CLE-LGA

2) My wife and I are travelling so rental car costs are spread over two people, where other transportation would require 2 tickets.

The additional 2-3 hours for each way PHL to LGA has some opportunity cost, that's for sure....

Does #2 above serve to increase or decrease this opportunity cost? ;)

LOL. We'll leave the relationship advice for the appropriate forum. :)
Besides, by flying Southwest from a 'focus city' to their hub, I'm sticking it to USAirways, one of my favorite past times. As the Mastercard commercial says, that's priceless!