Free Agent Anyone here fly from pdx to the Bay Area often?

[ehizzy3]

I ask because I will be doing that flight about once a month or so for the foreseeable future.

If anyone does fly, do you prefer the southwest wanna get away or Alaska Airlines? I’m gonna get a credit card in one of those airlines so I can take advantage of frequent flying, but not sure which one. Alaska’s credit card has some really nice perks but I don’t think anything beats the wanna get away deals southwest has.

For what it’s worth, it could be the Oakland or San Francisco airport. Or even San Jose but I believe it’s more expensive.

Any thoughts/experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[barfo]

OAK is a much smaller airport than SFO and thus more pleasant to deal with, if they are equidistant from your destination on the ground.

SWA vs Alaska is a matter of personal preference.

barfo

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Not to the Bay, but LA but its pretty much the same. Are you being fully reimbursed for the fares or is this personal travel?

In my experience, Southwest is usually a little bit cheaper and I think has more flight options. However, Alaska miles are more worthwhile and a much nicer experience overall. If you are checking bags in, SW is 2 free checked bags. Alaska has a 20 min or less guarantee.

Southwest
If you will fly enough where you can qualify for Southwest's Companion Fare, do that. Once a month probably isn't enough though to qualify. If you take early morning flights (I prefer this personally), it can be a bitch to wake up 24 hours at 5am to check in for Southwest flights to get an A boarding position. I'm good about checking in right away, so I actually like this since I can get on the plane before the overhead bins fill up.

Alaska
I prefer Alaska, personally all things being equal. I have t-mobile, so I get an hour of free internet on flights because they use the Gogo Wireless. Southwest I have to pay for since they aren't part of that network. They took over Virgin America's planes, so they are putting blue mood lighting in there, however they recently announced dynamic pricing and now charge more for "preferred seating" (bulkhead and exit rows mainly). The Preferred Seats are good because they come with a nice snack pack. Alaska is going to introduce Basic Economy though. A lot of the changes since they acquired Virgin may seem good but they are changing things for the worse. They are shrinking the carry on size baggage to the industry standard (22x14x9), they used to be a bit more generous with that.

Also, I have Priority Pass so I can use the Alaska Lounges which is good (also free food at PDX Capers Market). No Alaska lounges in the Bay though but there is in PDX (and LAX), there may be another one in the Priority Pass network though. The lounges are way worth it, so my #1 factor in your decision making is if you can get airport lounge access. Free food and drinks and better facilities is way worth it.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Where are you going and do you have a rental car or taking the BART? San Jose sucks ass and is far as shit with traffic from San Francisco.

You need to factor in which airport gets more fog, that causes delays and wrecks havoc. Also the BART station is kind of a bitch to get to at SFO, have to take a train, then go down multiple levels of escalators, etc.

Oh yeah, get Global Entry too if you don't already. Saves a shitload of time and hassle at the airports, especially PDX where the lines are fucking rediculous.

 

[donkiez]

Up until recently I have been traveling 2-4 times per month for work. I use Southwest, Delta and Alaska. The thing with Delta and Alaska is the more you fly the more brand loyalty perks you get and the better your experience becomes. Southwest doesn't scale as well with their perks. Alaska has a great program with their airmiles, you seem to get the best value for money out of them and there are plenty of partners and options. The companion ticket with Alaska is not as good as advertised though, its like $119 each way and you can use it with other offers so unless you use it for a flight to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica or the east coast then the companion ticket is basically worthless, even to those destinations you only save $200-$400 on a pair of full price tickets. We did use our companion ticket for Cuba last year, while Alaska still flew there, and that was awesome and this year for a guys trip to New Orleans which was also awesome. Also add in that Alaska has the most routes and options flying out of the PNW and its kind of a no brainer. One other thing I do is that I take all the credit cards out for every airline I fly on until I get their bonus then I cancel it, you can do that every 2 years usually and it really pumps up your miles.

 

[donkiez]

wanted to add get TSA prechecked if you are flying that much. Totally worth it and it will be added to anyone else you book your travel and fly with.

 

[Hoopguru]

Retired over million mile flyer and I would probably take Alaska because of my status with them. However, SWA lets you check in 24 hours in advance for first come fist serve boarding.

 

[donkiez]

Retired over million mile flyer and I would probably take Alaska because of my status with them. However, SWA lets you check in 24 hours in advance for first come fist serve boarding.

That part doesnt work like you think it should. I've checked in 24 hrs early and got C group and Ive checked in at the airport and got A group. I think the priority is determined when you buy your ticket. You can pay an extra $15 to get bumped into priority A though.

 

[barfo]

You need to factor in which airport gets more fog, that causes delays and wrecks havoc.

This is a good point. If you care about landing on time, don't use SFO.

barfo

 

[Hoopguru]

That part doesnt work like you think it should. I've checked in 24 hrs early and got C group and Ive checked in at the airport and got A group. I think the priority is determined when you buy your ticket. You can pay an extra $15 to get bumped into priority A though.

may have recently changed. Wife and I flew SW to Vegas 6 mo ago and got B a little after 24 hrs in advance.
I see where airlines are not charging for premium seating.

 

[Hoopguru]

That part doesnt work like you think it should. I've checked in 24 hrs early and got C group and Ive checked in at the airport and got A group. I think the priority is determined when you buy your ticket. You can pay an extra $15 to get bumped into priority A though.

are charging for premium seating....

 

[CupWizier]

My choice would be whichever one has the most direct flights. Alaska typically has been better in that respect while SWA is typically a little cheaper. Me personally. I use to fly Alaska for free where as now I can fly SWA for free but both always had partnerships with other airlines as well. Perks of having kids that work for an airline.

 

[Stevenson]

Flying into Oakland is a bit better probably, although new the BART extension to and from SFO is very convenient.

For airlines, Alaska is far better. And also, their MVP rewards plan is considered the best in the industry.

 

[andalusian]

Have not had to do that route in a while - but most of what was said here is right on the money. OAK is easier to get in and out off. Alaska is probably the nicest one - but Southwest is the easiest to change flights on - it is really like a bus service - there is almost always one earlier or later you can easily change to if your meetings go long or short.

I do not fly too much anymore - but my wife does SAN to OAK or SAN to Sacramento quite often - and she uses Southwest because of that.

 

[calvin natt]

Most important thing is where are you going once you land? Depending on the day of the week, and time, getting from SFO to the east bay for instance will not be easy or fun. And vice versa. So land closest to where you need to work. I fly a lot for work. Its a short flight so really it isn't a big difference between the two airlines. They both have decent miles programs. I like SW because you can watch actual live TV on longer flights...not sure if you can to the bay area, not sure why not, but that makes a difference.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Have not had to do that route in a while - but most of what was said here is right on the money. OAK is easier to get in and out off. Alaska is probably the nicest one - but Southwest is the easiest to change flights on - it is really like a bus service - there is almost always one earlier or later you can easily change to if your meetings go long or short.

I do not fly too much anymore - but my wife does SAN to OAK or SAN to Sacramento quite often - and she uses Southwest because of that.

Oh yeah, Southwest has no change fees on their flights which is fucking clutch.

https://www.southwest.com/html/air/nochangefee.html

In today’s fast-paced world, things can change in a moment’s notice. That’s why here at Southwest Airlines we continue to offer maximum flexibility if you need to modify your travel plans, by not charging change fees. If you need to change an upcoming flight itinerary, you’ll only pay the cost in fare difference and will never incur a separate change fee.

We don’t charge you for changing your mind, your plans, or otherwise. So you can rest assured when booking your next Southwest Airlines flight that change fees don’t fly with us.

 

[donkiez]

Oh yeah, Southwest has no change fees on their flights which is fucking clutch.

https://www.southwest.com/html/air/nochangefee.html

I forgot about this and yes it is awesome. If you cancel with SW, they give you 100% credit to use toward other flights. Alaska charges $125 for the privilege of changing and you get it back as credit also.