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JetBlue or US?
I'm starting a new job in the Boston area, so I'll be commuting BUF-BOS on a weekly basis.
Last year, I did the trip BUF-BWI-MHT on Southwest because that was the cheapest. Apparently things have changed. BUF-MHT on Southwest = $180 BUF-BOS on US = $122 BUF-BOS on JetBlue = $90 So Southwest is out (yay!) and I have to choose between the other two. I have about 50K in Dividend miles and both cc's, and I have enjoyed TA flights in Envoy, so I'm leaning towards US. Used to be a CP, but that faded away a couple of years go. Currently dirt. I know nothing about JetBlue nor their FF program. I think it will be RJ's on both carriers, but I understand JetBlue has a much nicer cabin. The cost differential is not insignificant, but it's not a deal-breaker. So, looking for advice. Thankew. |
Jetblue's FF program is not the best but then even as today's NYT reports, it is very hard to cash in FF miles on all of the majors because planes are getting filled to capacity.
FREQUENT-FLIER REPORT CARD As airlines reduce domestic capacity and take off with unprecedented percentages of their seats filled with paying customers, it is increasingly difficult for consumers to book mileage award travel at standard published rates or even to “compare frequent-flier programs in a meaningful way” among airlines, according to a new report from the inspector general’s office of the Transportation Department. The percentage of frequent-flier seats awarded “has generally declined since 2002” to an average of about 7.7 percent of total revenue passenger miles flown by the six airlines with the largest frequent-flier programs, the report said.... That said, the Jetblue cabin is very comfortable and I like the satellite TVs at each seat. Their flights between BOS and BUF are on A320s. US Air flies ERJs so if you want the commuter plane crowded experience with no TV, US Air is for you. Both airlines have nonstop service between cities. |
jetblue would be more comfortable, but i will very rarely ever use domestic awards.
so i avoid low cost carriers. |
Originally Posted by Analise
Their flights between BOS and BUF are on A320s. US Air flies ERJs so if you want the commuter plane crowded experience with no TV, US Air is for you. Both airlines have nonstop service between cities.
Actually, the 3 direct flights a day from BUF-BOS are on E90's. If you want to fly BUF-JFK-BOS, then you could do it on 320's (not all JFK-BOS are 320's though) That being said, I'm a big B6 fan. I connect on them several times a month BUF-JFK to catch International connections. Service is great, the E90's are a nice plane (have flown them a few times...mostly 320's BUF-JFK) and the TV and XM radio are a nice diversion. Plus, sounds like price is pretty good here. FWIW, I'd choose B6. |
From an email I got today, those prices on B6 are a special. I have to purchase by Nov 30. So, since any flights on US won't count for status (I'd only have a half dozen or so segments by the end of the year). it seems that I ought to buy now for the rest of the year and see how it goes.
After January, I'll re-examine the situation. |
No comparison! Jet Blue flies "real" planes, leather seats, friendly attendants. Their FF program is lame, but so is US AIr and Delta if all you are doing is short hauls. (Unlike hotels, which give credits for "stays", even if "cheap", short hauls, even if frequent, don't add up to FF benefits.)
I'd go jet blue all the way. |
i like to maximize my award value. jetblue provides no opportunity to have very much value with their awards. OTOH international J/F awards can have very high value. (cents per point/mile)
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Mainline Planes v. RJs => mainline win (I consider the Embraer a mainline plane in terms of comfort)
DividentMiles v. TrueBlue => DM wins. Service? B6 wins Comfort? I personally don't 100% like B6 seats compared to other planes/carriers. But that's just IMO. |
393 miles each way. USAir has a 500 mile minimum. R/T = 1000 miles.
52 weeks x 1000 miles = 52000 miles annually. Add to that elite bonus which I think is 50%? Personally, I'd open a United account and credit your miles to UA. That would make you a 1P (Premier Exec) and get 100% bonus miles for a grand total of 104,000 miles annually. That will take you far away ie Europe or Asia, on an award ticket; vs a domestic ticket with B6. I'd suffer thru the RJ's for that alone. :D |
Use US if you're going to be making this commute on a fairly regular basis. JetBlue's service is leaps and bounds over US (free TV, more legroom, very helpful employees, XM radio on the E190s and several types of snacks) but their frequent flyer program is practically useless.
I fly JetBlue from time to time when the schedules/fares are better than the legacies, but the lack of a viable FF program is a huge drawback for regular "commuters" like us. |
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