Originally Posted by
NYC Flyer
IIRC, it seemed clear that the pass did not include last seat availability and was subject to some form of capacity constraints. I bit on the fall/winter pass at $299 thinking if I use it twice on PHX-SAN/SNA it will cost me the same as two one-ways on AA or WN. I was impressed with the current (summer) availability checks I ran from PHX in the last couple of days as well, but time will tell. If I get to CUN or SXM once over the course of the winter, it will have a been a screaming bargain.
Do you really consider a AA or WN flight an easy substitute with F9? If you do then the pass might work for you but in the "real world" the others charge 2x or more for similar flights. And a CUN flight in September or early October is often a $30-$50 airfare on F9 plus the $120 RT tax. I'm sure you can get one as long as they don't reposition too many planes. I believe the slotting system locks them into running the routes when demand is very low.
I check the math on these all the time because I've got friends and coworkers always asking me about these since they know I'm a regular on F9. I just can't in good conscience suggest these unless you are retired or very flexible for the period in question. Another Elite I know thinks they are akin to being an airline employee with the free flight privileges but having to wait to find out if it's going to be available and then having to worry how you are going to get back.