+1000000

I don't see how $320-$500 is outrageous for a business trip between AUS and EWR. Fares were commonly that high in the late 70's and early 80's WITHOUT adjusting for inflation. We have had a decade of artificially low airfares due to 9/11 and generally poor economic conditions. Now, it's time for the airlines to be able to make a reasonable profit.

If you don't like CO, fly someone else. After all, it's a free market!

They haven't been invited to join any alliance and it isn't clear that they will be. B6 is very much on a path to be the AS of the east right now, IMO. They have partnerships of convenience rather than a wholesale alliance membership. Their partnership with AA is very similar to those it has with LH and EI. They don't have particularly good FF integration but I've been led to believe such is coming.

I can think of several substitutes for first class travel, particularly when there are options for whY travel that quite closely mimic the F experience on domestic flights.

In 2003 and 2004 I regularly flew nonstop between AUS and EWR. No matter when you bought your ticket the only thing available was full Y at $1,800. And the planes were full. A WSJ story at the time had a list of the 10 most expensive domestic routes and this was near the top.

It wasn't too bad after I finally earned my NW Silver status and I would get the upgrade at booking. Then DL introduced their "Simplifares" in early 2005, which capped domestic tickets at around $1,200 RT. CO reduced AUS-EWR to that level but made it an H fare (today's B fare) so no more auto upgrades.

Anyway, advance purchase nonstop fares from AUS to EWR are normally very reasonable these days. However, I do sympathize with the OP on upgrades out of AUS. In 2008 and 2009 I was 39/45 for upgrades on CO. All but one of my misses were between AUS and IAH. The other one was between AUS and EWR.

I assume you're referring to doing a MR? Why in the world would I fly SEA-EWR non-stop, when I can pick up an extra 1000 miles by connecting in IAH? :p

Just to split hairs because I can: It's only an extra 872 miles, unless you factor in elite bonuses :D

You got me :)

I face the same challenges as you: I really like Continental, but AA is a much better choice for me. I think that CO is doing things right and filling the front cabin with paying customers is the way to go. I have discovered that it changes my behavior and perception in ways that I don't think I could have predicted.

When I fly CO, I'm one of those people that, for the most part, fly on Y, B or M fares. I wouldn't do that if CO made it easy to upgrade like AA. Clearly, CO is doing the right thing with these fares. I was glad to see CO create the elite-for-life program; strangely, once you hit Gold, I have to ask if there's any genuine benefit to sticking with CO? As Gold, one can buy upgrades and get the exit row by booking early. I don't expect to get upgraded if I don't buy a full fare, so I try not to fly CO on discounted coach fares. M-UPs for PE's isn't enough, not now that I have lived the EXP life on AA!

My relationship with CO is now purely transactional. The downside for CO is that, with elite for life, it tips the balance in my favor: I have to be loyal to AA to get into the front cabin; CO has to be loyal to me if they want me to pay a premium. If I'm not happy with CO--and because the relationship is now transactional, I tend to be more sensitized to problems--I fly elsewhere. I have a strong affinity for Continental, but it's no longer loyalty. CO is now number 3 after AA and DL.

+1, I'm about 2 for 20 IAH-LAX/SFO since this time last year.

As opposed to CO's famed IRROPS handling?


I've redeemed Saver awards 1 day prior to departure. Why is that essentially impossible on a legacy carrier?

I think most carriers' inventory management systems are sophisticated enough to dump award seats close in if flights are not going to fill. That's pretty basic these days.

I find that they release them after the Free tkting period has ended or its now 20 days to the flight date so they will start dinging us with the Fees as it gets closer the fee goes up. Like at 22 days out they really thought they sell out the pretty empty plane while now at 20 days out they release the seats feeling they wont sell them.

There's no fee for close-in ticketing for CO Plats now (or top tier at most airlines, this is pretty customary). And a couple carriers have no close-in fees for all members.

Okay...
 

Like what???

*I THINK I know what you are thinking, but would be curious to hear your ruminations...

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9630/4.7.1.40 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I guess it all depends on what you are going for with domestic F. If you just want the legroom there are a couple options that offer comparable space (36-38") in Y. If you need the free drinks just pay the $6 per and save the couple hundred on the ticket. You still come out ahead. Seat width is harder to do comfortably but you can get two Y seats.

If you are buying domestic F for the pampering and food then I think you are just living in a dream world. ;)

Its the stupid 735s
 

I have flown AUS/EWR on a weekly basis for the last 9 months or so. THe UGs were pretty good actually last year when the route was serviced mostly with 737-700s. Didn't know how good I had it. But early in 2010 it switched to 737-500 and been hell ever since. UGs are very difficult and pretty much impossible if not on a very high fare class. Plus no IFE. CO thinks of itself as a full service airline (or at least used to) but flies 4hr routes with no IFE. At least I've never seen the turkeydog on this route.