WAS-PDX Commute
 

Staring next year, I will most likely be doing a fairly frequent WAS-PDX-WAS commute. I would greatly appreciate any advice. Obviously, comfort is important but so are miles.

My preference would be DCA, but BWI’s fares are attractive and IAD is somewhere in between.

WAS-PDX will be my main back and forth, but there will be a hand full of other domestics, about two to Europe and one or two to Asia each year.

I am currently Silver on Delta (your responses will influence whether I make gold for next year), Gold on US Airways, and Platinum on American. I also have the AmEx Plat card that gives lounge access to CO, NW and DL which also influences my decision.

I open to any suggestions, AA, CO/NW, AS, AS/AA, DL, United/US (BK worries), perhaps America West????

BWI and IAD are better options since connecting on the West Coast instead of elsewhere assists in minimizing inclement weather-related delays. United, American with Alaska thrown in here and there may make sense. (Alaska flights are elite earning in AAdvantage.)

Where in WAS?
 

Depends where you're going in WAS. If you'll be working downtown, DCA is very convenient. You won't need to rent a car, as the airport and most hotels are on the (very good) metro system. But you'll probably pay a slight premium in ticket prices.

If you'll be working in the VA suburbs and will likely rent a car, IAD is a UA hub and has lots of other options as well.

BWI is the cheapest, but a real pain to get back and forth from unless you're working in the MD suburbs north of DC.

You might pick an airport, then use Expedia or Travelocity to run some of the dates you'll be traveling and pick your carrier based on prices and schedule options.

DCA is the first choice.

If you won't have a car, BWI is better than IAD because the MARC train runs from BWI to Union Station in DC. No public transportation goes from DC to IAD.

If you will have a car, IAD is probably better since it's closer to DC than BWI.

I'm pretty sure UA is the only airline that flies PDX-WAS nonstop (to IAD). Plus between UA/US domestic, and *A int'l, you have pretty good options for going elsewhere from both the west coast and the east coast (and everywhere in between).

If low fares are more important than having a nonstop flight, though, then I'd probably go with NW or CO. Having the ability to choose between CO, NW, DL, and AS (AS also earns EQMs on both CO and NW) lets you take advantage of the fact that they do still compete against each other in the fare realm, while you have far more options for routings and can still earn miles on any of them and even qualify for free domestic upgrades on both CO and NW (and, to some extent, AS). Plus Skyteam gives pretty good coverage internationally (as long as you don't need to go to Australia). The only big drawbacks to NW/CO are (1) the difficulty of upgrading int'l tickets with miles, and (2) the difficulty of using the miles you earn.

In the redemption department, AA probably takes the cake.

It depends, not only on where in DC (as hbyerly notes), but on what schedule. The MARC train does not run on any weekends or holiday, and Amtrak is infrequent. There is hourly express bus service to both BWI (B30) and IAD (5A), but the 5A gets you much closer-- the B30 bus only goes to Greenbelt, the terminus of Metro's Green Line, whereas the 5A will put you in Rosslyn (in Arlington just across from Georgetown) or L'Enfant Plaza (2-3 stops below downtown). Of course, since it appears to be for work, the OP hopefully won't spend much time on either. :)

As mentioned in the previous post, the 5A Metrobus goes from the L'Enfant Plaza area (SW) of DC to IAD (and also stops at Rosslyn Metro in VA along the way). Only 3 bucks...takes just under an hour.

As for airline, my vote would go for NW. Once you reach Platinum, you'll be up front quite often (although it can be more difficult if you choose DCA).

I work frequently in Downtown DC, and I almost always fly in or out of DCA. Easy choice. Metro is right there, and it's very quick into Downtown.

There is some combo public transport to IAD. You take a metro line way theF out into VA, and then wait for a bus. It takes forever. Your cab ride will be $60. It's a major investment in time. Same with BWI, although maybe SWA has some cheap fares that makes it worthwhile. Same with National Airlines out of IAD.

If in DC proper, DCA is the way to go. Saves 2 hours in unpleasant travel each week, plus the ticket price can be saved in transport costs.

The 5A Metrobus serves IAD from DC. I prefer it to the Metro / Washington Flyer bus combo. Where exactly you are within DC could be an issue, too.

Although I voted for NW, you should be aware that they use the lousy A terminal at DCA. It is a hike from the Metro station.

Unless you work right at Union Station or nearby, it takes about the same time to to get to IAD as it does BWI. DCA is the clear winner if you live downtown. Given that you'll be going to Asia a few times a year as well as Europe, I would choose United. Even if you don't get upgraded they do have Eco+ which isn't too bad for a transcon.

First of all, since DL has cutback so much service out of PDX, all airlines are about equal at this point. Next, if you fly to DCA, you will incorporate one more stop enroute. At least with IAD, you can fly nonstop with several carriers- UA/AS from SEA.

I would be partial to NW, good connections and partnership with AS so more choices connecting PDX-SEA. You could even use CO and DL for variety of connections through NY as well. And as Platinum, you get 125% bonus miles so if you fly that often, it would be worth it. As NW Gold, I always got upgraded on NW flights which has good food and service on 757 SEA-DTW. CO however is another story but have good success rate in off peak travel, ie. on a Tuesday midday or early Saturday morning.

If you choose UA or AA, you limit yourself greatly to a handful of flights and basically no redeyes out of PDX, except for terrible connections at 5am through ORD. Plus you will not see the front of the cabin as much as you would on NW. Any other airline would be a waste of time, ie. Air Tran, Southwest or America West.

Lastly, you don't say where you would be "living" when you are here. I would pick IAD and take bus to Rosslyn. All major hotel chains are represented in Virginia suburbs and provide better value than DC hotels, in terms of cost, size and public transportation location. You can walk across bridge to Georgetown for dining and nightlife too.

Thank you all so far!

I will be working/living downtown with no car, so DCA will be a airport of choice. I saw that Amtrak's biz class fares from downtown to BWI are pretty good. The + to BWI is lower fares (even after the train) and more upgrades than DCA.

I will most likely be splitting between DCA and BWI. Cost is not that big of an issue, but I don't want to throw money away. When I'm arrving late leaving early I go with DCA, for mid day flights BWI, throw in a few IAD's and so on.

I'm leaning towards NW, AA (where I'm already PLT) or UA. With the new info, what would you guys say out of these three?

That is one thing I have going for me, I can fly almost anytime/anyday, I will not me a monday AM, sunday PM flyer ;)

Air Tran and Southwest are out for sure (I don't fly Southwest, and Air Tran does not go to PDX), not as sure about America West, I was thinking about them, there prices (esp. paid F) are very good.

National??? Are you talking the LAS National? If so that has been gone for a few years....

Biz class on the train to BWI? Unless you're picking the Acela (where Biz = standard), it's hardly worth the upgrade for a 20-minute ride. You'll probably find it easiest to take the first available train anyway.

Actually, I get a kick out of the MARC runs where BWI is the first stop - how often are you on a commuter train that's moving along at a sustained 90 MPH+ clip?