bridgetS

Is there a way to get there by bus or shuttle? I will be using miles but can't get a ticket direct to Vegas. So ONT it is. I'ld rather not rent a vehicle and drive myself.

rjw_lgb_ca

The website for ONT (www.lawa.org/ont) doesn't list any such regularly scheduled service. And it's a 3 1/2 hour drive to Las Vegas from ONT on a good day (one big accident or little duststorm on I-15 and all bets are off), so it's not like ONT is a real "alternative" to LAS. Heck, I don't know anyone in LA who considers ONT an alternative to LA area airports!

Frankly, I'd rent the car-- or skip using FF miles and just pay to fly into LAS. But if you search real hard you might find some coach service in Ontario (you may have to take a cab to their pickup point). Good luck!

ChristieP

www.iflyswa.com

Southwest Airlines flies from Ontario, CA to Las Vegas. Their most expensive flights (short notice) are $91 each way.

bridgetS

To the first poster: I'm confused. I am from SoCal (Huntington Bch) and therefore know it very well. I am NOT going to LA or Orange county on this trip therefore ONT is the closest to Vegas. I do not consider 3 hrs a long drive, not to mention that I am getting in early compared to most of those attending this reunion. Just didn't want the rental vehicle as I know I will not need it in Vegas (been many times).

I tried SWA and it was $448 which was the most expensive air from Dallas. I have an incredible amt of miles w/ AA and therefore would like to start dumping some. I have had an extremely difficult time using them over the last year. I even sat on the phone w/ them for approx. one hour naming cities all over the world but alas, could not get a ticket.

I have discovered that there is a bus from Riverside, however, the length of time makes it not acceptable.

rjw_lgb_ca

bridgetS: OK, now I get it. Welcome to the new reality of trying to use frequent flyer miles...! The airlines now only reserve a few seats on planes flying popular routes (say, DFW-LAS), and as soon as they are available for reservation (roughly eleven months before first departure date), they get snapped up. So you end up either paying for the ticket OR flying to a less-desirable airport (say, ONT) OR getting a first class ticket (do you have enough miles for that? I did that last year LGB-PHL and thoroughly enjoyed it).

When I say "alternative" airport, I mean the way that SNA is an alternative to LAX-- another airfield within 60 miles. I couldn't see a shuttle service running between ONT and Vegas (with some 200 miles between them). And since you're from this area, you remember what a horror it is when anything out of the ordinary happens on I-15 going to Vegas.

I'm sorry, but other than paying for a ticket, trying to use miles for a first-class ticket, or renting a car and toughing out I-15, I don't see any other reasonable option. But if I hear of anything, I'll re-post. Good luck. Hope the reunion turns out fun!

bridgetS

Thanks for the add'l reply. Altho I have plenty of miles, I hate the thought of wasting them for a first class seat. I do however agree...it is nice. Since I have a sister in ONT and will spend time w/ her it is really not "out of the way" for me to use ONT for this trip. Just hate to drive (I jump on a plane just to go from Dallas to Houston). I do ck at least twice a day on AA.com to see if a ticket to LAS is available (you never know). I was able to change my flight into ONT to a better time slot so it really can free up. Looks like one of the guys attending the reunion will be driving from Orange to LAS so he has offered to pick me up so...problem resolved.

Thanks again, the reunion should be quite the weekend as there will be at least 60 people, all of whom have met doing singles cruises. We rec'd a great deal at the Aladdin: $129.00 weekend and $69.00 weekday. I tried at least 10 sites and can't beat that. Other than priceline or hotwire but then you don't know the hotel.

rjw_lgb_ca

bridget: I was wondering if any relatives in the Southland were going to offer to pick you up...! Good for you! And you did good with rates at the Aladdin too. You're gonna have a great time-- and the weather should be wonderful too. Enjoy yourself!

ChristieP

Southwest is expensive form Dallas because you have to change planes somewhere due to the Wright Amendment.

I've used AA miles for DFW-LAS at the last minute, but I heard that AA has changed their method of allocating seats and this is now a thing of the past...

logandog

Of course we Southern Californians consider ONT as one of our choices when we make travel plans. It is often the least expensive option.

bridgetS

Wonderful weather? HOT, HOT and bloody Hot! But then Dallas will be the same, would rather 110 and dry than 100 and humid.

Since I use four airports in SoCal, I know Ont can be cheaper altho I prefer Orange Co (see I really am a Californian, I don't call it John Wayne). But than LGB and LAX usually bet it. Especially right now with AA competing with Air Trans: $200 RT into any of the five airports.

rjw_lgb_ca

For people in east LA county or Riverside/San Bernardino counties, I could conceive of ONT being an alternate airport. For me, living on the coast ten minutes from LGB, I can't justify the drive when I have three airports within half an hour's drive. And for where I'm going, ONT's fares can't compete. It's a nice airport, sure, but....

rjw_lgb_ca

Now if they put in convenient rail service between downtown LA (or LAX) and ONT, then I'd consider it my fourth alternate airport. But heck, SAN is usually a quicker drive for me than ONT!!

bridgetS

Rail service to Vegas from ONT, wouldn't that be nice!

rkkwan

There have long been plans to run fast and frequent trains between the LA area and Las Vegas, probably using the Talgo equipment like the Cascade service between Portland and Vancouver, BC.

No reason why there shouldn't be a stop near Ontario.

But like most rail projects in the US, it could take years if not decades to see that running.