JMN57

It's not the greatest highway and yes, I always take the Express lanes so that probably helps. Typically, if I leave early enough, I drive to South Beach and grab a quick lunch at La Locanda (it's owned by some Italians and is very good) before heading to MIA.

FLLUAFlyer

PBI is giving AA $1.4M in incentives to lure that flight from FLL.

ijgordon

They're actually dropping JFK-FLL and adding LGA-PBI. There's lots of discussion on the perceived pros/cons in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...?highlight=PBI
Including discussion of connecting international pax (not really possible from LGA), cruise traffic from FLL, and Boca Ratonians who refuse to drive the extra 28 miles to MIA.

cpmgrp

The drive is much easier if you take the Turnpike rather than I-95.

Another recent bonus for those of us originating from PBI is an AA non-stop to LAX at reduced fares starting in November. It's been a long time comin'! The county and other interested parties ponied up $1.4 mil (I think) as an incentive to AA to establish the route.

Oops, I see I'm not the first to note this, but the tip on T'pike v I-95 should be worth a few grey hairs.

BTW, next tiime in S. Beach try The News Cafe. Cheap, good food, interesting menu from scrambled eggs to hummus... and the scenery!

ijgordon

Depending on where one lives, that could be very far out of the way. It also costs $.

StevenH123

I like that PBI is so small - it makes everything quick and easy. With FLL (and more so with MIA) I always feel that I'm rolling the dice with how long things will take.

TravellingSalesman

Well, from some point next year onwards that would be quite cheap..

inlanikai

And PBI has free wi-fi ^, although speeds can vary.

Spiff

Something tells me that AA won't publish a fare for FLL-NYC and it won't be.

ijgordon

Well, MIA has PreCheck, and so does FLL (albeit at the DL concourse).
I've never had an issue at FLL, although that was historically as an elite on CO, and a few recent times on AA. I have seen monster lines at WN, and to a lesser extent the CO concourse, although there are not many elites flying out of FLL so it was always a breeze for me. And usually the only bad times were Sat/Sun mornings when the cruise traffic is heading out.

jake108

But think of the extra 2.5Kplus miles! Recently for me I was ORD-MIA, mechanical delayed, in AC KC booked me FLL with vouchers for hotel/transport to MIA, etc. Oddly enough, checking later, I found original ORD-MIA left about same time as ORD-FLL and only two gates down. I was never notified.

Upshot: I did not know how close MIA and FLL are: by train(Amtrak or other)about half-hour, I recall.
"No Borders, Just Horizons."

scottsam66

Sure, there's the turnpike, then the 826, to the 836, etc. It's just terrible. It is in perpetual construction, with rusted rebar, hanging lights, road debris, etc. I've always found it to be a nighmare, especially coming from South Miami to MIA, but also coming from the north.

StevenH123

True but I also mean things like car rentals, baggage, parking, etc

cpmgrp

On the $: grief-to-dollar ratio.

But you're right, if you're up the east coast past Jupiter, the trick is to take I-95, then switch before you get to MIA at either Ft. Pierce or Jupiter where the two highways intersect (too hard to describe - look at a map). This is only if going to FLL or MIA. Stick to I-95 for PBI; it doesn't get bad until you reach northern Broward County and onward southbound.

PBI is a very efficient, medium-sized, modern airport with many amenities and lots of reasonable parking and pre-check. It is usually a breeze coming or going. I wish more airlines would consider it as opposed to the already jam-packed FLL & MIA and their horrendous fees-esp. for parking. There is no escaping the cruise traffic, whereas there is virtually none at PBI. I've lived here for over 25 years and watched this little regional get pretty big - and pretty. Where else can you pick up a genuine Lilly Pulitzer at the airport?

Once you get here there's lots to do and we're an hour from FLL and about 90 minutes from MIA (I feel like the Tourist Board should be subsidizing this post).

If coming from south of MIA/FLL - you're screwed.

Happy

Yes. I found out our YVR-LAX-FLL got rerouted to YVR-LAX-DFW-FLL

When I changed the date on this I even had to pay extra $2 tax per person because DFW. I did not realize PBI-LAX is now offered. Else I would request that instead.

I agree with you - MIA is needed when we use it for AA award to Europe/Asia/South America because many more options to choose from.

For domestic travel I now seriously consider DL especially after successfully redeemed low level DL award to fly AZ to Europe at the peak Summer travel time when AA has zilch to offer other than BA flights. I would never think there would be a day DL miles seem to be more attractive than AA miles. Gasp!