Christine Ma-Kellams
- When people hear that I commute to work by plane, they often assume I have lots of money.Thanks to credit-card points, though, I often travel at virtually no cost.I've also developed best practices for saving money, like booking flights during seasonal sales.
As a college professor who lives in Los Angeles but teaches in San Jose, I fly to work on a weekly basis.
I used to live in the San Jose area before the COVID-19 pandemic, but when my workplace went remote, I moved about 350 miles away to Los Angeles.
When remote work ended in 2021, I decided to stay in Los Angeles — largely because my husband and kids preferred Southern California and its proximity to our extended family. So, I had two options: drive over 10 hours a day in California's notorious traffic, or take a short flight there and back.
I chose the latter, and now, I've been flying to work for nearly four years.
There are a few strategies I follow for a smooth commute
Robert Way/Shutterstock
Flying from Los Angeles to San Jose usually takes just over an hour, and the entire journey from my front door to my office rarely takes more than three.
Usually, I'll fly out of Los Angeles International Airport, which is just 15 minutes from my house. Once I arrive, I take a bus from San Jose International Airport to the light rail station, which is just a 20-minute ride to campus.
Although this does take longer than an Uber ride, it's also a fraction of the price, so the trade-off is well worth it. As a bonus, bus and rail rides are the perfect time to catch up on work emails.
To minimize the risk of flight delays, I always try to book the first flight out and never the last one back. In my experience, this has helped me get where I'm going on time, because earlier flights are rarely dependent on another plane's tightly timed arrival.
This rule also helps ensure I don't get stuck in San Jose overnight if my return flight is canceled — a fate I've managed to avoid to date.
My commute is cheaper than people think, thanks to a few go-to rules
Christine Ma-Kellams
Ticket prices to and from airports can vary greatly, so being flexible about location saves me both time and money. On occasion, I'll fly out of Long Beach — which is about 15 miles from my house — if I find a cheaper flight.
Booking all my flights for the semester at once during seasonal airline sales helps, too.
My biggest hack, though, is using an airline credit card. I normally wouldn't use any card with an annual fee, but I made an exception for the Southwest Rapid Rewards one — and it remains one of the best decisions I've made for my commute.
I primarily fly through Southwest, and the $99 annual fee is a no-brainer considering how many round-trip flights I've taken for virtually no cost by using points I've accrued.
I typically spend between $5 and $60 a flight, thanks to credit-card points and strategic planning.
To save even more money, I also try to avoid purchasing food and drinks at the airport.
Instead, I bring my own flight-friendly food. My favorite hack is to pack instant oatmeal or ramen and ask for hot water on the plane. Voila: an instant breakfast or lunch.
My commute isn't the easiest, but it works for me
Christine Ma-Kellams
When people find out that I commute by plane instead of by car, they usually assume that I'm exceedingly rich (or my employer pays for my miles) and that I basically live at the airport.
The truth is, this kind of commute is far more affordable and efficient than some people might think — and I genuinely love the journey.
My commute not only gives me the chance to live in my favorite city while working in another, but it also keeps the rest of my family happy and close to what they love.
Besides, sitting in an airplane seat with snacks in one hand and my laptop in front of me beats driving in traffic any day of the week.
