Choosing a Shuttle - DC to NYC
 

My girlfriend will be interning in NYC this summer and I am planning on flying up there every weekend. It looks like pricing is pretty competitive for all the Shuttles -- Delta, AA, USAir. I'd like to choose one and rack up some miles.

Any thoughts on the pros and cons of each of these Shuttle services? Comfort? Timing of flights? Service?

Why fly? If you're going to do this every weekend, take the train. Penn Station in NYC is much more accessible than any of the three airports. No security hassles. And lots of personal space onboard.

Seems like it's cheaper to fly if you're going on a weekend -- around $120 round-trip.

I would be surprised if the cost of a shuttle ticket + transport to/from LGA were less than the cost of an Amtrak ticket. Both DCA and Union Station are easily and cheaply linked to mass transit systems, but LGA is much more costly to get to (or park at) than Penn Station. Also, note that students (if you are one) get 15% off on Amtrak tickets, and that Amtrak travel now can earn miles on CO and UA.

(edited for spelling)

[This message has been edited by hb1 (edited 01-14-2003).]

Actually, LGA is only $1.50 from the city, you take a bus to a subway and transfer to the subway. Totally not worth doing unless you only have six quarters in your pocket and purchase a metrocard.

I would also consider looking at scheduled service on the flights (not the shuttles) if you have your heart set on flying. They can sometimes be very well prices, usually in weekend specials. Though I work in Manhattan and I have found the train to be preferable many times then the hassles of flying.

Take a regular train, not the Accela, and if you have a AAA card get the discount, if not get an AAA card even if you don't have a car for the discount.

If money is the object, check out the chinatown bus trips, they can be as low as $15 between New York and Washington. A MSNBC story on them is at

http://www.msnbc.com/news/845687.asp see them all the time on the roads.

Delta, from what I heard, just made their program highly undesirable. USAir is trying to climb out of bankruptcy. Thus, my vote goes to AA http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif I am not sure what type aircraft the others fly but AA has gone completely to regional jets now for those routes. They aren't too bad for an hour flight.

The train is nice but it is expensive and you won't earn miles. Plus, all the sales for the NE Corridor always exclude Sunday travel.

Some people think you should take the train. There's some logic to that. However, wear and tear is less by flying.

I don't fly the shuttle too often. However, I like US better. You can deposit US miles on UA if you want. I do the reverse because I haven't flown UA too much in recent months.

(typo corrected)

[This message has been edited by Skylink USA (edited 01-14-2003).]

I used to make that trip quite frequently and found the train to be far easier, especially for frequent travel. While travel to and from the trains can be timely, it evens out when considering current pre-flight check-in/screening regulations. I commonly took the USair shuttle when I did fly and its a very easy trip, but am not sure of what's going on with its current bankruptcy issues.

The US shuttle uses A319s and A320s. I just shuttled and the A319s are very nice and the beer's free.

There are some real plusses to flying bankrupt airlines. US and their Chapter 22 Alliance partner UA have extended the triple miles on both offer, and I racked up 8,263 miles on these two 214 mile flights.

Did someone say free beer?!?!?!

Not just beer but Sam Adams.... this is a tradition that goes back to the Pan Am and Eastern days. They used to have Sam or New Amsterdam.

I don't fly Delta, but I hope they maintained the tradition. US pulled the Sam for a while after 9/11.

Earning 3,000 miles on *both* UA and US makes it any easy choice, IMO, if you are starting from scratch.

8 weekend shuttles @ $116.50 and you earn TWO domestic R/T tickets!

Addendum: US has comfortable new planes. Delta is downgrading to 737-300 in March and AA flies uncomfortable RJs. This is a no brainer but I am long term US/UA flier so I am biased......

[This message has been edited by gnaget (edited 01-14-2003).]

I had a Sam on the DL Shuttle as recently as 31 December, so they're definitely still available. On the other hand, the short shuttle flights definitely put my chugging skills to the test, particularly if I'm one of the last to be served. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Speaking of beer selections, even Southwest is apparently going slightly more "upscale" with their beer selections, as noted on this thread.

Back in my promiscuous flying days I recall getting Henry Weinhard on Alaska and Pete's Wicked Summer on a CO RJ.

UA & US mainline have the typical crappy lineup where Heineken is in the pinnacle of luxury. Blah....

I think US Shuttle used to have New Amsterdam 4-5 years ago. I remember always getting the rear exit row on the old 727s to myself, chatting with these older friendly FAs who sometimes gave me a pre-departure beer. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

8,263??? I get 2,000 each way on both airlines (4 X 500) due to being US2 and 1P for a total of 8,000 miles total R/T. The person who inquired will get 6,000 miles asuming no status.

Actually, the double dip is not a new concept. US and AA had it during their FF program collaboration. I imagine that US compensates UA for allowing the double dip. UA fliers may have been in the habit of flying DL shuttle where they (still?) could collect non-status miles.

How long are the 6x mileage bonuses in effect for? If they are in effect for summer 2003, it's a no brainer. You can't afford NOT to take 6,000 miles for your $120 roundtrip shuttle tickets. Just thinking about it makes me want to move to DC and find some excuse to go to NY all the time. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

If bonus miles are not as juicy, or if AA steps up their own bonus miles (they had triple miles on their shuttle through 12/31 - not sure if it was extended), AA offers one unique advantage: the Gold/Plat Challenges. I assume you are starting from no elite status on any airline. With AA, five roundtrips on the shuttle will earn you Gold status. Ten roundtrips will earn you Plat status. (This assumes that AA will continue with their typical Challenge programs through this summer.) Read the AA board for more info about elite status and the challenges.

Only downside: AA uses RJ's that have Less Room Throughout Coach. But for elite status, I'd probably be able to stick it out for a half hour flight...