Paul,
I do seem to go on about the
JFK Train to the Plane. Depending on your arrival time at JFK and the amount of luggage you're toting, this is quite a decent and less expensive alternative. I use it frequently when in NYC on business. Where it really stands out is when traffic is backed up in or out of the City; the Train gets you directly to your terminal at JFK in about 45 minutes from Pennyslvania Station in Manhattan; the inbound trip is usually 35-45 minutes. If you're arriving late, have tons of luggage, however, take a limo; if you're willing to part with some VS miles, you can still book the VS limo.
Chuck-