Best JFK<->LAX solution?
 

Hello,

I am flying back and forth between JFK and LAX every week (final destination is actually OC) and I am trying to figure out the best solution for this. For complicated reasons I am flying the United ps flights via CO codeshare and accumulating on Continental Onepass (just broke Gold status).

I am mainly looking for a comfortable environment to work during my flight. The economy plus in United ps are fine though would like to have an upgrade to business every once in a while.

I can be somewhat flexible with my travel times -- prefer to leave between 2-5pm on Sunday evening and go back to NYC on a 1-3pm flight Thursday. I can leave NYC out of EWR, LGA, or JFK. I can fly into LAX, SNA, or LGB. I can wait until closer to my departure date to force a higher fare class but I should avoid going over $1K R/T and probably keep under $800 most weeks.

Any thoughts on on better options with other airlines which might have better upside while only having a freakish chance of getting stuck with 31" of legroom?

P.S.If I need to be platinum to make another airline work, I can fly this route for another 5 weeks to hit platinum and then match/challenge over if that helps.

1k per week? Call airline management. I am sure for $52k per year they will give you a business class ticket every week. You use to be able to get high status with AA by purchasing a $20k prepaid card. Not sure if it is still around.

You likely are using the best option for you right now. With United P.S. you are guaranteed at least Economy Plus, and you travel in a 3 class aircraft. CO also has non-stops from EWR to SNA and LAX for more options.

American and their 762 service would be a good alternative to consider. 11 non-stops a day, with 3 class service gives a great deal of flexibility (versus UAs 6 flights on P.S.) Others can give advice on upgrade availability on the two carriers.

JetBlue does have flights from JFK to both LGB and LAX. The 'even more legroom' seats have a generous 38'' of legroom, but of course no upgrades possible.

If I was travelling on such a fairly high budget, I would stick with either UA or AA. UA has the benefit of at least Economy Plus and other CO destinations from EWR. AA has the wide-body, still above average pitch in Economy, and many more flight times. You might want to compare Mileage Plus vs. Aadvantage to help make up your mind. Disclaimer: I have not travelled on either P.S. or AA 762 as I fly out of BOS.

w/the aa challenge, you could be plt [ 2x rdm] after 4 trips if you go via sfo on 1 leg of each trip & exp after 20 ish....

you could also be ua 1k after 20 trips...

good luck...

Techguy - How much do the frequent flyer miles you will earn factor in to your decision? Or are you just more concerned about being comfortable while flying.
I'm interested in your priorites....for example when I would go to Orange County I wouldn't even consider LAX over SNA if at all possible.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9630/5.0.0.975 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

AA

Won't get nearly as many upgrades anywhere else.

The problem with sticking on UA is that while you will be upgraded frequently as you accumulate status the ps flights don't get you UDU, thus its an easier upgrade if you are willing to use instruments (once your get them) or miles, than say LAX-EWR on CO where there are less seats and the upgrades are "free".

I am not against frequent flyer miles but most concerned about being comfortable and productive while flying. In an ideal world, I would get frequent upgrades to business with a not terrible coach fallback.

I tried flying EWR->SNA on Continental and it was nearly unbearable. I spoke with the GA briefly and its not clear to me I would get upgraded on that flight often with Gold or even Platinum status. I would need to get upgraded 90% of the time to risk being stuck in that coach.

Someone suggested no one gives more upgrades than AA and perhaps the AA 762 would be a good option. If I understand AA's program, though, UDU is only available to EXP and EXP is 100K miles. Would it be worth pushing through to Platinum on CO (probably another 5 weeks) and then trying to status match to AA?

Also, someone mentioned that I should call airline management -- they could get me business class every time if I committed to a $52K annual spend. Its good to know such things are possible but unfortunately, I have to book all my travel through our corporate travel agent and I can't make such commitments. I can probably get away with buying up to 6 weeks out. Also, with vacations and project pauses, I probably only average 45 flights per year. I should also average closer to $800/R/T ticket, too. If this project continues past June, I will probably break $30K/year but not $50K.

Thanks again for the advice and any other tips or tricks for my situation are of course much appreciated.

If you are at a larger fortune 500 company, they probably have fastrack programs will all the major airlines or status matches.

I assume you prefer non-stop?

Unfortunately I don't have a great answer for you. UA is great because of the E+ option, but even once you obtain Platinum/1K you still will only get upgraded with CR1. That means you will be in E+ virtually every time.

How long are you going to continue this travel pattern? If you think it is going to be longer then a year, I would recommend going for EXP on AA. The problem with this is you are going to be stuck in coach for a while until you build up to EXP. The reward is great though. Once you reach EXP, you will probably be in business 90+% of the time. I'm not too familiar with the 763, so you will have to explore if the seats in Y are tolerable. As others have mentioned, you can do a Platinum challenge, which will at least get you exit row access and upgrades 1/4 times. Status matching to AA is very difficult, so if that is your end goal, I wouldn't waste time continuing with CO (unless you want top-tier on both alliances).

As far as the poster talking to the airline, while $1k/week sounds like a lot it is not enough to put you in business on JFK-LAX.

You might also want to explore Virgin America's offerings, as I hear that is quite comfortable.