NY to BOS and DC

[Chucksta]

What's the best way to get from New York to Boston and Washington DC?

I had a look at AA and only American Eagle service the cities.

What's it like flying on an AA ER3? Do you still have the same check in allowance? What about hand carry allowance?

The other option i'm looking at is the AMTRAK, but no QF SC

 

[NM]

Best is always a relative term. If you want to earn QF SCs then the Beagle flight is the "best" option. Think of it like a Dash-8 service between SYD and CBR. Amtrak is another option, but will be slower and no SCs.

 

[Shano]

AE also lets you gate check oversized (anything larger than say a laptop bag) hand luggage due to limit OHL space. This goes into the hold. The good part of this is you get it back as you deplane so don't need to wait at the luggage carousel.

For short flights AE are not too bad, and even better when there are no other SC earning options. Although 2.5 hours on a Beagle from DFW to PIT is pushing it.

 

[spiggy_topes]

The other option i'm looking at is the AMTRAK, but no QF SC

The one time I've used it AMTRAK was actually very pleasant (at least in first class). Leaves/arrives from middle of town, uncrowded, no TSA, friendly barman etc. Took about 3 hours from NY to Boston and you actually get to see the countryside. The sales team I was with recommended it over flying any day! YMMV.

 

[Chucksta]

I think I am going with the AMTRAK

2h45mins from NY to Washington DC

Maybe i'll fly from DCA-BOS then another AMTRAK back to NY

6h on a train from Washington DC to BOS is far too long!

 

[winetraveller]

Jetblue consistently have the best fares from BOS to JFK, however I generally fly US Airways to LGA (I live in Boston, well Cambridge actually) as I go to NJ frequently and it more convenient for that side of the city.

If you want any tips on Boston pm me.

 

[Gold Member]

Amtrak X2105 (Accela Express Service) only takes 2h35m! But it does travel at 6:50am. The regular services takes an extra 10 mins or so. Kills air travel in end-to-end time required and the business class seats on this train are very nice too.

I will be taking the Accela Express between Boston, NY and Washington in 2 months so hope to report back my experience.

Gold Member

 

[serfty]

Last year I did a return JFK-BOS & BOS-JFK on AeAgle. Not a worry.

As an Emerald, both times I was invited to board first by name (along with the other EXP/Emeralds). Nice comfy short flight - no service other than a smile from the FA.

Return cost was about AUD170, 500 points/10 SC's earned for both legs.

(Watch the class though, as some of the cheaper one's will not earn of QFF.)

As a QF WP, you get access to the JFK Flagship Lounge, 'tis about a 10 minute trip to the AeAgle gates from there.

 

[HardieBoys]

I'd recommend Amtrak as well. It's a pleasant enough journey, and takes you from city centre to city centre: shorter travel times to hotels, no two-hour check-in times etc et.

I used Amtrak from Philadelphia to DC a few years ago, and thought it was fine. I booked my ticket over the internet, but should have bought it closer to the departure time, as it was significantly more expensive over the net.

 

[Chucksta]

Last year I did a return JFK-BOS & BOS-JFK on AeAgle. Not a worry.

As an Emerald, both times I was invited to board first by name (along with the other EXP/Emeralds). Nice comfy short flight - no service other than a smile from the FA.
.

Do you mean at the gate, the call out the OW E by name? And ask them to come forward?

 

[DTM1]

I've done the flight and it's no big deal. however, you should make sure you leave enough time for changing flights/terminals if all you are doing is connecting.

If it's only a connection, then maybe best to make your way to BOS via another hub to get an MD80 or 737 - eg ORD.

Then again, what seemed like a simple question may have any number of answers if you're after max SCs and have the right kind of ticket.

eg if you are travelling on a *ONE* or a *CIR*, and you have time, then you may want to fly from JFK to BOS via a third city with J or std Y (time permitting), as this will get you more SCs and ff points.

As you can see, answering your question is a little bit harder without all the details

 

[serfty]

Do you mean at the gate, the call out the OW E by name? And ask them to come forward?

Ex JFK, my Surname and another were called, inviting them to board. Ex BOS it was "All EXP and oneworld Emeralds".

BTW, I'm not joking about the 10 minute walk from the F/L to the AeAgle gates. I'd depart the Flounge at least 40 minutes before expected departure time.

 

[Chucksta]

Ex JFK, my Surname and another were called, inviting them to board. Ex BOS it was "All EXP and oneworld Emeralds".

BTW, I'm not joking about the 10 minute walk from the F/L to the AeAgle gates. I'd depart the Flounge at least 40 minutes before expected departure time.

Leaving from LGA.. the walk might be shorter?

Do the AA boarding passes show OWE status? Or do I need my QF WP card?

Do ER3/ERD jets use aerobridges?

 

[DTM1]

BTW, I'm not joking about the 10 minute walk from the F/L to the AeAgle gates. I'd depart the Flounge at least 40 minutes before expected departure time.

Ain't that the truth !

I was in JFK flagship 2 weeks ago and left the flagship lounge 30 minutes before my AEagle flight. After walking for 5 minutes, heard my name paged and an announcement that plane would close in 5 minutes. I literally ran the whole way (and quickly !) and only just made it to the flight, so I think 10 minutes walking is underestimating it !

 

[DTM1]

Leaving from LGA.. the walk might be shorter?

Do the AA boarding passes show OWE status? Or do I need my QF WP card?

Do ER3/ERD jets use aerobridges?

Not sure about LGA - never been there.

AA passes do show OWE status.

ER3 AEagle from JFK use an aerobridge

 

[Shano]

If an AE to AE connection at LGA this is relatively painless.

However, if transferring AA/AE, they operate from separate concourses.

To change concourses you also need to be re-screened, so this adds a bit of time to the transfer process. Depending on time off day this could take 10+ minutes.

 

[serfty]

Leaving from LGA.. the walk might be shorter?...

Dunno, never been to LGA.

... Do the AA boarding passes show OWE status? Or do I need my QF WP card? ...

They should if it's in the booking correctly. Last year I used one of the AA "Quick-check" equivalents and my BP came out with my QFF number, it also was showing "Group 3" (the LAST group to board).

I attended the very nice JFK first check-in facility armed with my QP card and very shortly had a nice new BP with "EMERALD" in large letters. It seems my QFF number was not in the booking correctly. They removed it and re-entered it to fix the issue.

... Do ER3/ERD jets use aerobridges?

Ex JFK - Yes & (IIRC) Ex BOS - No.

 

[DTM1]

To change concourses you also need to be re-screened, so this adds a bit of time to the transfer process. Depending on time off day this could take 10+ minutes.

I don't know if this is new, but there I did not need to be re-screened going from the AA area to the AE area.

 

[Baysider]

I wouldn't hesitate to fly with JetBlue from NY to BOS:

A great little airline, nice new little aeroplanes, great friendly service, and they still provide free snacks and drinks. Fares are cheaper when booked via their website. You can usually pick up JFK-BOS for US$ 50-60. You can even choose your seat online as soon as you've booked, no matter how far in advance.

 

[Shano]

I don't know if this is new, but there I did not need to be re-screened going from the AA area to the AE area.

My last transit through LGA was September last year. Flew in on AE (arrived concourse C) and departed on AA (departed concourse D). At that time security screening was at the start of each concourse.

This may have changed in the 6 months since I was there.