What is the best FF program if one is based in Boston? I think I've narrowed it down to American (probably the largest carrier in Boston) or USAir (has BOS<->LGA shuttle, earn miles on United & America West). Which airline is it easier to earn status, which airline is better for receiving upgrades, and which has more seats available for frequent flyer travel?

Most of my travel will likely be to Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

Thanks for the help.

To me the big differentiator between UA & AA is the Economy Plus section on UA that will make your ORD and SFO flights tolerable when the upgrades aren't there. Plus you can buy an E+ access pass to get you in while you earn status.

You should also check the BOS-SFO schedules; I think UA may have a 2-3 more direct flights than AA. They're about the same on ORD.

Welcome to FT, Euph222!

You should also consider United Mileage Plus - you can get credit for USAir flights. For the destinations you decribe, it's probably the best choice. Plus, as mentioned above, you can get E+, which makes flying Coach a whole lot easier.

Can I receive upgrades on flights operated by United based on my mileage amount/status on USAir?

Also, what is an E+ pass?

Thanks.

1. No, unless you buy 500 mile upgrades from UA at a rate of $200 for four.
2. It is a pass that United sells for $299 for a year which gives you Economy Plus access.

Euph222, welcome to FT & to BOS, my neck of the woods! I live in Allston and work in Natick. As for your question, I started a similar thread several months ago that may be of help:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475188

However, in my case, I fly all over the country, not just to two or three spots, so I have chosen to go with *A, accumulating to DM because I'm originally from PHL. In your case, I would strongly recommend UA as others have, because:

1. Once you hit elite on UA, you're almost certain get to E+ on every flight that you're not upgraded (rarely have I heard that it's so full of elites/buy-ups that you can't get it).

2. United's terminal C space at BOS is quite a bit better than AA's terminal B space; in particular, if you get to the airport early and like clam chowda or seafood in general, there's a Legal Sea Foods just outside the checkpoint where you enter to get to the UA gates.

3. BOS-SFO nonstop is 4x daily on UA, 2x on AA (at least as of today).

4. The BOS-LGA hop is so short that most don't really care about the upgrade on US, esp. since the US shuttle flights offer free alcohol in coach.

As an aside, the top three carriers at Logan are AA, DL, and US, in that order.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

I'd agree to go with UA

* E+ when you reach elite level is invaluable.
* More flights to SFO
* Can get miles on US, and AA's flights to LGA are on undesirable RJs
* Terminal C better than Terminal B


For the last 12 months, the market shares at Logan are actually DL 19%, AA 16%, US 14%, but these will probably change since DL has cut flights (esp. to Florida) in bankruptcy and US has America West now.

We have both, but haven't been able to use UA for the past year and a half...no matches of time, destination, flight, availability, etc. AA has what we need, occasionally.

I've been flying at about the Gold or higher level out of BOS for about 10 years, and from time to time, I've been with CO, NW, US, DL, and UA. I have the most experience with CO, US, and UA. Never really taken AA much, probably 6 AA flights including Eagle in the 10 years.

Right now I am mainly focussed on UA for the following reasons in approximate order of importance:
1. I find that on balance UA recognizes elite status more than some of the other airlines. For instance, they provide hotel accommodations to 1K's even during weather delays, and most agents will help you either through official or unofficial procedures. Most recently I had bad luck with this at US at DCA where I felt that they did not really go above and beyond most of the time even though I was Chairman's Preferred. Some agents did, but most retired or left US Airways. Also as a result of this I often now fly UA BOS to IAD, instead of BOS to DCA on the US Shuttle;
2. Ua's overall in flight service ameneties. Channel 9 for listening to ATC communication on the planes (UA is only airline that offers this), glass cups in first class (US has plastic), and ok food. The UA P.S. transcon flights out of JFK have exceptional in flight service and food. Note, out of BOS, its a valid routing to do BOS/IAD/JFK and then either LAX or SFO in order to get the UA P.S. flight;
3. Over the last 1-2 years UA has had more mileage promotions than US.

Also if your mainly a domestic flyer you might consider CO. At BOS the President's Club, which offers free alcohol and WIFI, is in terminal C outside security near entrance to gate 40-42 area. I bought a lifetime membership when I was a CO flyer so sometimes I will stop in for a drink. Also for just standard domestic midcon flights, CO has perhaps the best food, etc. Even in coach, CO serves meals on flights like BOS-IAH. Also the CO staff has been helpful to me over the years, even when I was a college student.

Also DL has its shiny new terminal A, which unfortunately I had not been air side in yet. One thing that drove me away from DL in the past was its official corporate "Simply Good Business," policy whihc menat no waivers or favors. However, DL has abandon SGB, so who knows how they are now.

Best of luck!

DL definitely has interesting transcon flights out of BOS and there are shuttle flights to LGA and JFK. I have recently flown BOS-ATL-SAN and LAX-BOS on DL in F ... nothing to write home about. So if you are interested in good service and potentially upgrades, I would choose another airline. The interesting thing about CO is that NW will also give you upgrades (and vice-versa).
A little OT, there is a 'dinner request' for BOS in community.

This is an interesting thread to me as I live in Boston and asm considering expanding my flying beyond AA.

I have to say I've been very satisfied flying AA out of BOS over the past 10 years or so since I abandoned DL, largely due to their mean-spirited SGB campaign. I find the routes, prices and service meet my needs quite nicely. I fly a few transcons a year and also travel quite a bit internationally, mainly to Latin America (where AA dominates) but also to Asia (where AA definitely lags, unless you want to go to Japan).

I get upgraded often (using upgrade points) and when I don't, as an elite I get first dibs at exit rows and other premium seats. And it's worth stating, that even though AA doesn't have E+ (something I'd like to try out), their coach seat pitch is much better in general than most, especially toward the front of the plane.

So don't count out AA out of BOS!

P.S. One other consideration is the notoriously cranky ground staff at BOS. I've heard enough reports to believe there is a problem. But I have to say I've been very satisfied with the service I receive on the ground. This is all very subjective, of course, as I had an experience with a CO agent in BOS that made me vow never to fly them again (and I haven't). Though most people feel CO has excellent customer service.

OK, 2 more cents:
I have tried AA on ORD-BOS and found the MD-80 experience pretty terrible (i.e. small bins, loud engines, generally feels cramped).

For me, it's always been UA. My pattern is similar to the OP's with a particular emphasis on BOS-SFO (family in Bay Area). I also fly a lot of other places a lot. I have always had several nonstop options to the West Coast when it was absolutely necessary to get there NOW (e.g., on a freebie). UA now flies four NSs each direction, down from 7-8 each way, as I remember, before 9/11. If they expand again, I would anticipate building that route up again. BOS-NY, and up and down the East Coast, we have US, on which you earn all UA bonuses, and have access to their club if you belong to UA's RCC. UA flies the East Coast, but it's a connection. And BOS-ORD, well, it's practically a UA shuttle.

One other good thing re the BOS-SFO route: During the off-season, BOS-OAK itineraries go for ~$225 RT, as long as Jet Blue is doing it. And UA matches Southwest's PVD-OAK/SJC fares, if not their terms.

My main issue with UA is that, eastbound from BOS, it's always a connection (through IAD). AA is better for nonstops eastbound. UA discontinued their BOS-LHR on 9/12/01. Given their stated strategy to cater to the type of traveler who would fly this, could it come back as they build back? (For you, this might matter if you want to use a freebie to vacation in Europe, but that would be a rarity, probably?)

I have a big issue with AA's MD80s. More than other mainline planes, they are a mail tube in the sky. As AA has committed to all-Boeing, this will phase out, but it sure isn't happening fast. At the same time, UA flies a lot of A319/320s, a slightly wider, more enjoyable plane than the 737. Truth in "packaging": UA is flying more and more CRJs on longer and longer routes -- not necessarily out of BOS, though. At the same time, they are using them to expand, out of IAD, to more and more tobacco-state routes.

More than you ever wanted to know...

I don't have too much experience with UA at Boston, but we've been relatively happy with AA. We've had no problem with the ground staff other than at the shuttle desk. The terminal is awful, but theoretically improving in the near future. The big differentiator for us is the Ex Plat AAngels, so if you are looking at making top-tier elite, that is something worth looking into.

Mike