For my new job I need to travel about once every few weeks. There are 3 airports around me, just one where I need to go.

The airlines are:

• United
• Spirit
• jetBlue
• Frontier

I am aware of United Explorer Card which has a $95 annual fee but it's a no brainer if you avoid checked bag fees.

So back to the airlines: any of these with really bad reputation?

And if I decide to fly with one of the other airlines, do they have any programs to avoid check bag fees?

The new job has somewhat unclear travel policy and I am not sure if I can expense report the bag fees. Also, since they usually do not allow remote work and they made an exception for me, I would like to avoind unnecessary expenses as much as possible.

Not Spirit.

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Roswell, GA (Atlanta suburb)

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rgG
Not Spirit.

And Frontier wanted to buy Spirit, but in the end JetBlue outbid them.

There's a good forum called FlyerTalk. Divided by specific airline and also sections for various destinations. Lots of experts on there about travel things.
[www.flyertalk.com]

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GGD

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rgG
Not Spirit.

And Frontier wanted to buy Spirit, but in the end JetBlue outbid them.

JetBlue is gonna wake up with fleas.

I guess I'd lean toward united but it seems like your employer should cover your baggage fees.

Can't you pack what you need in a roller bag? How many pairs of shoes do you need to bring?

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Avoid Spirit and Frontier. Given the choice of that two - drive

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

And Southwest doesn't fly to that destination airport? Seems unusual for a city/airport to have service from both United and JetBlue but not Southwest. Southwest has 2 checked bags free.

Echoing the sentiment to avoid Spirit and Frontier. They will nickel and dime you to death with fees. That's their business plan.

I personally don't fly Jetblue that often, but we book them a lot for others for work travel (albeit usually in "Mint" - 1st). I would have no problem flying with them myself though, but I'm not familiar with their baggage fees.

Yes, United gets you 1 free bag with the appropriate credit card (there are a variety of credit card options). For one passenger, this should be fine. For 2 passengers, it's gotten wonky (i.e. my wife and I on the same itinerary). I thought in the past, every passenger would get their first checked bag free (my wife even has her own qualifying United card - not an add-on card to my account), but the last time we flew, we had to pay for her bag (but not mine as the purchase was made on my card). And the previous time, we had to pay for both bags (not sure if that was because it was a rewards redemption flight, or just something else wonky going on). Next time, I will check us in separately on our own accounts to see if that makes a difference.

Not Spirit.

A lot of people like JetBlue.

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

Delta not available? That with their SkyMiles card is one of the better options for frequent fliers.

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C(-)ris
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C(-)ris
Delta not available? That with their SkyMiles card is one of the better options for frequent fliers.

1 stop which adds quite a few hours to the trip

I fly for business all the time (catching up after two Covid years, apparently) and I prefer Southwest. Least hassle (give or take the crap show over Christmas), no baggage fees, no change fees.

But it doesn't look like that's one of your options. Other than agreeing that you should absolutely avoid Spirit (their motto: "Nobody Flies With Us Twice!") and slightly less so for Frontier, I'd say Jet Blue is probably better on balance than United. I really can't stand any of the old "legacy" airlines (Delta/American/United) and avoid them when I can.

I used to ask clients to fly me jetblue if they were available.
After last weeks experience with them, I doubt very much I'll fly jb again.
Delayed flight 3x in one day by more than an hour, each time, because of "equipment issues". If they can't maintain their equipment, maybe they shouldn't be trusted nuther. Their own people were having a hard time getting information.
Their compensation? $50. Trying hard not to win customers back.

Perhaps they should adjust the exec multi-mill $alary to something in line with performance or lack there-of.
200 passengers x $50 x $50. Bet they could survive on 1/2 a mil until they make a working airline.

Back to Delta I go which has been steadily improving and is much more reliable, with, usually competitive fares.

JB website sucks, Delta definitely does not.

Of the ones you mentioned, I'd go with United.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2023 06:18AM by Fritz.

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Fritz
After last weeks experience with them, I doubt very much I'll fly jb again.
Delayed flight 3x in one day by more than an hour, each time, because of "equipment issues". If they can't maintain their equipment, maybe they shouldn't be trusted nuther.

I was stuck overseas for a day after something broke on the plane and the part and a mechanic had to be flown in the next day.

You know what, I didn't mind as I prefer flying on a working plane.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

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Ombligo
You know what, I didn't mind as I prefer flying on a working plane.

I prefer a working plane too, but 3x in one day? And that was just my flight. The same issue was happening at gates around us.

There was some customer screaming and yelling and 4 letter combos being hurled. I wasn't sure what the point of that was. Guess they was late for their bottie.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.

I fly a lot - and most of it is on Delta. American is second choice. I refuse to fly United, Jet Blue, Frontier or Spirit

If you fly often enough on United, FF status (even silver, which you can get immediately should you by some miracle happen to have Marriott Titanium status) should get you to free checked bag on United. So will the card (the catch being you need to buy the ticket with that card, and it cannot be the lowest basic economy fare, and you cannot forget to put your FF number in the reservation). If you and a companion buy the tickets on the same itinerary with that card, both get a bag free. Not sure why Gareth had a bad experience with his wife on a paid ticket, I never did, although I also have 1K status (which my wife does not).

But the company will probably prefer you fly with the least expensive airline anyway. I know I need justification if I choose a ticket that is more than a $100 more than the cheapest ticket and I have to buy it with the company card (I disregard both rules, but you may not be able to).

I'm flying Frontier in a few weeks, but it's to visit family for a weekend. I can cram 3 pairs of underwear/socks, plus 3 shirts, a pair of pants and overnight kit into a small enough bag for it to be a "personal" item. Otherwise you have to pay for a separate carry-on item. I'm only doing it because the R/T price is under $100, and the other options were SW (~ $300), and American (a little over $200). The flight up is like $35. Of that, the cost of the flight says it's $0.07, the rest is taxes and fees. I got a chuckle out of that.

Otherwise, I would avoid Spirit and Frontier. I had a good experience with Jet Blue a few years ago. They have (or had) more legroom than most others, and every seat had free DirecTV.

I'm flying United/All Nippon Airways to/from Japan next month. I think I flew Delta last time. Not looking forward to the 14+ hour flights.

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dk62
If you fly often enough on United, FF status (even silver, which you can get immediately should you by some miracle happen to have Marriott Titanium status) should get you to free checked bag on United. So will the card (the catch being you need to buy the ticket with that card, and it cannot be the lowest basic economy fare, and you cannot forget to put your FF number in the reservation). If you and a companion buy the tickets on the same itinerary with that card, both get a bag free. Not sure why Gareth had a bad experience with his wife on a paid ticket, I never did, although I also have 1K status (which my wife does not).

But the company will probably prefer you fly with the least expensive airline anyway. I know I need justification if I choose a ticket that is more than a $100 more than the cheapest ticket and I have to buy it with the company card (I disregard both rules, but you may not be able to).

are you sure that the it cannot be the lowest basic economy fare? I looked at the conditions below and I didn't see it... anyway, I applied and I was approved for the credit card and I hope to get 60,000 miles, and after that when I bought the ticket, there was a better offer in the App, with $250 statement credit. I should have done that, if I knew...


Free Checked Bag
The primary Cardmember and one traveling companion on the same reservation are each eligible to receive their first standard checked bag free; authorized users are only eligible if they are on the same reservation as the primary Cardmember. To receive first standard checked bag free, the primary Cardmember must include their MileagePlus number in their reservation and use their United Explorer Card to purchase their ticket(s). First standard checked bag free is only available on United- and United Express-operated flights; codeshare partner-operated flights are not eligible. Service charges for oversized, overweight and extra baggage may apply. Cardmembers who are already exempt from other checked baggage service charges will not receive an additional free standard checked bag. Chase is not responsible for the provision of, or failure to provide, the stated benefits. Please allow 2 weeks after account opening for your first free standard checked bag to be available on eligible United reservations. Please visit united.com/ChaseBag Third party site: United Airlines site opens in a new window for details.

This is what United says, mentions only carry-on as exception:

For MileagePlus Premier members or cardholders
You get one free carry-on if you’re a MileagePlus member with Premier status, traveling with a Premier member, or are the primary card member of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or a Star Alliance Gold member.

I am not 100% sure as I was always either 1K or Global Services, but with that status I could not check a bag for free on Basic economy. After a couple of complaints, our company issued a policy where Basic economy should not be booked for business travel. I do not know if United changed anything in the meantime, I mainly stay away from Basic even for personal travel because of lack of seat assignment and mileage accruals.

How long are your trips going to be? Unless you need to travel with equipment too large to carryon, a trip of 4-5 days or less should be manageable with carryon only. Otherwise, employer should pick up baggage fees.

I would stick with United. I avoid Southwest, especially due to their outdated crew/equipment scheduling system. And they have no cross carrier agreements. I want options to get home and not be stuck somewhere for days.

I would definitely lean towards United, but more importantly, which airline has a hub in your home city?

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"In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion." (1987) -- Carl Sagan