SNA-EWR
Apr 29, 2016, 8:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA/1k
Posts: 129
SNA-EWR
I need to fly from Irvine back home to NYC mid-may. I'm surprised to see the SNA-EWR flight is so expensive, $735 versus $150 in coach out of LAX, (or actually $999 on JetBlue MINT)! I'm not super familiar with so-cal but the traffic from SNA to LAX can't possibly be that bad, can it?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
Apr 29, 2016, 8:49 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
The 405 is an absolute nightmare but if you can spare an additional 2-3 hours, I would fly out of LAX (or check if connecting via DEN/IAH/ORD is cheaper). I generally fly out of LAX, but would imagine complimentary premier upgrades are hard to come by ex-SNA.
Apr 29, 2016, 8:50 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
There are no complimentary upgrades LAX-EWR so your odds are by definition better on the SNA flight.
Apr 29, 2016, 8:55 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA/1k
Posts: 129
. I might have a few hours to kill so maybe I'll just drive up PCH, fly out of LAX, and enjoy the view.I fly SFO-EWR far far too often, so I'm familiar with the PS routes…
Apr 29, 2016, 9:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: OOL
Programs: VA Plat, QF LTS, UA MM, Hilton Diamond, Rydges Black, ,Le-Club Gold
Posts: 3,659
Keep watching the price it will come down.
Also when you are making the booking dont reveal yourself, be a kettle and you will likely get the upgrade offer for TOD which is common at SNA.
You can add your number and choose seats later. As you know, UA hates its elites so they don't get the TOD offers.
Also when you are making the booking dont reveal yourself, be a kettle and you will likely get the upgrade offer for TOD which is common at SNA.
You can add your number and choose seats later. As you know, UA hates its elites so they don't get the TOD offers.
Apr 29, 2016, 11:52 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I had been advising my brother on some SoCal flying. The low prices - and more frequencies - out of LAX can be appealing if you can time your road travel around rush hours properly.
Apr 30, 2016, 12:15 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SNA
Programs: UA LT Plat, 2.5mm, Hilton LTD, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Whatever
Posts: 161
I need to fly from Irvine back home to NYC mid-may. I'm surprised to see the SNA-EWR flight is so expensive, $735 versus $150 in coach out of LAX, (or actually $999 on JetBlue MINT)! I'm not super familiar with so-cal but the traffic from SNA to LAX can't possibly be that bad, can it?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
Apr 30, 2016, 3:22 am
#10
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,098
You can take the $20 shuttle to LAX from Irvine. http://shuttletolax.com/
I think the company they use varies but last time I used it it was Primetime.
I've gotten from Irvine to LAX in as little as 35 minutes and as much as 2 hours.
I've found that airfare is usually pretty equal between the two.
I think the company they use varies but last time I used it it was Primetime.
I've gotten from Irvine to LAX in as little as 35 minutes and as much as 2 hours.
I've found that airfare is usually pretty equal between the two.
Last edited by thejaredhuang; Apr 30, 2016 at 3:37 am
Apr 30, 2016, 4:42 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
You also have the option of taking the FlyAway to Union Station and then take Amtrak / Metrolink to OC. Due to the dedicated busway on the freeway, I've gone from LAX to LAUS in as little as 20 min ride after being picked up at Terminal 7. There are 11 trains a day going down to OC just on Amtrak and more if you count in Metrolink.
If you have United Club or travel Business Class on Amtrak, you can wait in the dedicated Metropolitan lounge.
I use this method due to more flight options and price out of LAX vs SNA.
If you have United Club or travel Business Class on Amtrak, you can wait in the dedicated Metropolitan lounge.
I use this method due to more flight options and price out of LAX vs SNA.
Apr 30, 2016, 7:56 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
What time of day are you looking at?
If during the morning commute, plan for 2 hours. The rest of the day is usually not so bad, even the afternoon into evening rush hours.
I work in Irvine. Do not take the 405! Use the 5 to 91 to 605 to 105 instead. I've done this in 40 minutes several times leaving around 3 PM.
Apr 30, 2016, 9:09 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Lifetime UA 1K, Lifetime Hilton Diamond, Lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,261
I need to fly from Irvine back home to NYC mid-may. I'm surprised to see the SNA-EWR flight is so expensive, $735 versus $150 in coach out of LAX, (or actually $999 on JetBlue MINT)! I'm not super familiar with so-cal but the traffic from SNA to LAX can't possibly be that bad, can it?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
I guess they use this leg mostly for connections to europe?
What are my complementary upgrade chances on this SNA-EWR route?
CPUs are tough, even as GS. Orange County people often purchase first class.
Apr 30, 2016, 10:01 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: UA/1k
Posts: 129
This is a very popular flight - I take it all the time when I go from Orange County to NYC. It is $486 roundtrip in coach in May. The problem you have is that the one-way fare on this flight is very expensive ($735). Worst case, book a round trip.
CPUs are tough, even as GS. Orange County people often purchase first class.
CPUs are tough, even as GS. Orange County people often purchase first class.
My plan was to buy a separate SFO-LAX, SNA-EWR ticket, but if I price everything together, the SNA-EWR leg is only $325 in V or $624 in Z. I guess because of competition, the EWR-{LAX,SFO} legs are usually not more expensive for one-way tickets.
I wonder if UA will allow me to add these legs to my existing ticket w/o a change fee or losing my upgrade on the outbound. I'll call the 1k desk.
Apr 30, 2016, 10:09 am
#15
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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Theoretically they will reprice the itinerary and charge a change fee. You might get the change fee waived, but you'll only keep the cheap outbound if the original fare bucket is still available (and fare restrictions are met). A competent agent can definitely keep the upgrade.