Airfare upgrade, I just can’t, but would you?

[bonvoyage]

Well, while we were waiting to board they started calling the usual pre board folks. My daughter and I were sort of milling about a little ways back from where people were lining up.

An older woman comes up to me and asks if I’m in line. I responded with, “not just yet.” She quickly pushes in front of us along with a bunch of others.

My daughter looked confused because she did the same math I did, there were at least 30 plus people pushing forward in anticipation of Group 1 being called. Only five or six rows in First so…??

Group 1 is called and…not one of group 1 gate crashers was sitting in First.

Somewhat similar thing happened to me recently: on United, high status passengers in Global Services and 1K get to board first. On our flight from Newark to Italy, practically half the plane got such early boarding while we were waiting in line for group 1 to be called. When we finally boarded, I discovered that the Polaris cabin (ie business class), where we were seated was completely empty.
So the high status travelers were all in economy but my wife and I with no status were in business class This is becoming common because most companies refuse to pay for business class even for red eyes!

 

[sengsational]

I bought one-way trans-Atlantic business on JetBlue. Not what I'd call fancy. Narrow body lay flat, with one seat on each side. I didn't go to the back of the plane to look, but it seemed like there were a LOT of rows of business class...like maybe half of the plane (it was BCN-BOS, if someone wants to tell me how wrong my perception was).

Anyway, the point I was going to make about value was it makes a difference which way you're going.

If you have a flight going east, starting at 10 or 11 PM, that's worth a lot more to me than the one we did, which left mid-day from Barcelona and flying all daytime hours. It was nice to fiddle with the seat position and I could stand up without leaving my cube, but it was daytime...I had no reason to sleep. It was weird, though. The guy in front of me went flat and wrangled through the partition to close one of my window shades. Then complained that he didn't sleep. I guess I have no idea where his body clock was, so maybe I shouldn't assume Barcelona. But I digress.

Irrespective of the bank account, I'm going to look at the multiple between economy and business. No way I'm doing 10x, or whatever some of those multiples are up thread; I couldn't live with myself. But if it's nighttime, and I might be able to sleep, it's certainly worth 2x, and maybe more. I've had to get creative, like having the overnight reservation start in a cheaper-to-fly airport, rather than a single reservation from my home airport, but it's possible.

 

[pdxgal]

I did the empty middle row on United 747s for years on 8-10 hour overnight flights. It was great!

Yeah, I miss the 747s. I'm not a flying or airplane geek, but even to me they seemed special.

 

[pdxgal]

would be shocked to see that many open seats in a row. Years ago, this was very common. Now, almost all the seats are taken on each flight we have been on in the last couple years. Either airlines have gotten their act together and started making things more efficient for them, people are traveling more, or its more affordable than ever. I believe it is a little of all three. Travel has seemed to explode in the last couple years.

I was surprised by my friend's experience last week (getting all three middle seats), but on two of my three flights since last fall I had an empty seat next to me. All were transatlantic flights from/to the west coast. I wonder if it's another example of the K-shaped economy... people who typically fly economy class are maybe feeling squeezed and opting not to go Europe, leaving some seats unsold.

 

[CO-guy]

There is a thread in Flyer Talk that is called something like DYKWIA - Do You Know Who I Am?. It’s about self-important, legend in their own mind, flyers who try to throw their weight around usually at some other person’s expense. They can be quite funny to say the least.

Speaking of DYKWIA, a few years ago I was heading back to Denver during a Chicago blizzard. After 2 rounds of deicing, the plane was brought back to the gate for a change of crew at which point it became clear that of the 8 ORD-DEN flights that day, our flight was the only one that hadn't been cancelled.

Prior to reboarding, gate agents had ticketed passengers line up to help with rebooking since the flights was already extremely delayed. As I was being helped some guy in a suit stormed up alongside the counter and attempted to interrupt the agent helping me. However, I stepped between him and the agent and made it clear that I would not be interrupted.

This jerk exclaimed, "I'm a 1K flyer!" To which I responded with equal tone, "I don't care who you are. Don't interrupt my being helped." So he said, "fine, I'll wait until you're done." At which point I said, "if you want to cut everyone else in line then you'll have to take it up with them." Several people behind me made it clear that he wouldn't be cutting them either at which point I said, "Back of the line Mr. 1K flyer!" As people laughed and booed at him.

 

[bonvoyage]

I bought one-way trans-Atlantic business on JetBlue. Not what I'd call fancy. Narrow body lay flat, with one seat on each side. I didn't go to the back of the plane to look, but it seemed like there were a LOT of rows of business class...like maybe half of the plane (it was BCN-BOS, if someone wants to tell me how wrong my perception was).

I just took a look on Aerolopa and can confirm that the plane you flew (A321LR) has a lot of business class seats: 24 Mint seats and 114 economy. This aircraft is generally used only on transatlantic flights so it has a less dense seating plan due to weight restrictions.
In contrast, the domestic JetBlue A321s are configured with 16 Mint seats and 143 economy seats.

 

[audreyh1]

On a flight I was on a few days ago, we were boarding and a young woman a couple rows back pushed the call button and a flight attendant came over. The passenger said it was the first time she has flown and she is freaking out. The flight attendant asked her to collect her belongings and marched her forward. She then sat her in 1A, which was empty. I suppose she did this to keep an eye on her, but skeptical me was thinking what a great way to get a free upgrade to first.

There must be a secret code, ha ha.

 

[Teacher Terry]

The last time I went to Europe three years ago, I was seated in a row with only three seats next to a couple. The steward asked me if we were traveling together and I said no I was alone. He then told me that there was an entire empty row in the middle and I was welcome to move to it if I wanted to. So I was able to lay down to sleep, which was nice.

I’m going to Poland with my kids in October for a special event and I just booked my flight a few days ago. When I looked at prices economy was 1300 and round-trip for economy plus was 2600. I decided to sleep on it since it seemed so expensive and by the next morning round-trip for economy plus was 4K. At that point, I decided to pay 2700 to fly economy plus going so that I would feel better upon arrival and figured on the return trip I would be able to rest at home. My son told me I should’ve asked him that night instead of waiting and he could’ve told me that it was not a bad deal.

 

[SecondCor521]

I just went through this calculus yesterday for a round trip open jaw BOI to Europe.

I started off buying a basic economy ticket on Delta for $941 with a good routing through Seattle. Cheapest thing that would get me there and back, the way my Mom would have done it.

I then debated with chatGPT over the value of premium economy on American for $2327. I eventually decided that the moderately better transatlantic sleep experience and the benefits on the days after my flights would be worth it.

Went back to book, and the ticket had gone to $2638. Decided it wasn't worth it.

Went back to check a couple hours later, and the ticket was back to $2327. Booked it and canceled the Delta flight (within 24 hours, booked direct) for a full refund.

ChatGPT thought that it was a seat inventory thing - the airlines sell seats at progressively higher prices, jumping a few hundred dollars at a time, as inventory drops. Maybe someone bought then switched/canceled yesterday afternoon.

Anyway, I also have a buffer days on both ends so I can recover a bit if needed. It's a "both and", not an "either / or". I also paid for a nice (but not the nicest) cabin on the cruise, so for me it hits the sweet spot of price and value.

 

[Midpack]

So DW and I flew first class to a wedding last Thursday, returned yesterday - 2-1/2 hours each way. It certainly was very nice to get on and off first, as was the free drink (in an actual glass w ice) and the meal was better than I expected. Of course the larger more comfy seats too. And no fighting for overhead space.

I was kinda on the fence as to whether it was worth it, but DW says she expects to fly first class from now on. We don't travel that often and we should spend more, so I guess we will...

 

[frank05]

Yeah, I miss the 747s. I'm not a flying or airplane geek, but even to me they seemed special.

Lufthansa still flies the 747, take one to Europe before they disappear. The A380 is also a great experience, if you go to the Far East you can typically find one on Etihad with a bar on the second level.

 

[Texas Proud]

WOW... so, bought economy fare with points to Australia next year... and was going to upgrade to their premium economy seats that are wider with more leg room... they wanted over $5,000 to go there and $2,500 return!!!

The WOW part is that I can BUY with cash a round trip for $5,500!!! Why would an UPGRADE cost more than the ticket itself?

 

[livingalmostlarge]

i'm getting attached to the front of the plane. I don't mind couple hours jaunts, but anything longer i am preferring the front. The issue is on friday we are flying coast to coast and there are no seats in first leff by the time i bought it. Yep. Stuck in back and willing to pay. That and since i travel with DH and kids i need four seats because he won't let the kids sit in back. I did pay to fly back in first. And no way am i giving up my non-stop (one flight a day) for first. that I won't do.

I will say it's easy to get spoiled. I don't mind the shorter jaunts I don't necessarily pay and we get lots of upgrades but for these longer flights i like the space

 

[marko]

Funny: Our 30 year old nephew's (estranged) father died last week. For the funeral, DW bought him a flight back home from where he lives in Chicago.

I asked her why she bought him a seat in First. I was hoping she'd say that it was the last seat available.

"Oh! (long pause)...gee (grimace)... it never even entered my mind..."
(looks like I raised her right!)

BTD!

 

[bonvoyage]

WOW... so, bought economy fare with points to Australia next year... and was going to upgrade to their premium economy seats that are wider with more leg room... they wanted over $5,000 to go there and $2,500 return!!!

The WOW part is that I can BUY with cash a round trip for $5,500!!! Why would an UPGRADE cost more than the ticket itself?

I have encountered this several times myself. I think upgrades are sometimes more expensive as they figure you are already a captive audience. Also, I have noticed that premium seats to Australia and Japan tend to be fairly expensive from my own experience - even when compared to other destinations in Asia with flights of similar distance.

 

[DrRoy]

I commented earlier that for several years we have been flying business class when we were wanting to sleep overnight, usually to Europe, and then coach class back. This year we are going to try Delta Premium Select on the way back, at about 2X+, just to see what it is like. Next year we are going to Japan, and will sleep both ways, so we booked business R/T. These trips are mostly to take a cruise, and the fares are better if you book through the cruise line.

 

[Aerides]

i'm getting attached to the front of the plane. I don't mind couple hours jaunts, but anything longer i am preferring the front. The issue is on friday we are flying coast to coast and there are no seats in first leff by the time i bought it. Yep. Stuck in back and willing to pay. That and since i travel with DH and kids i need four seats because he won't let the kids sit in back. I did pay to fly back in first. And no way am i giving up my non-stop (one flight a day) for first. that I won't do.

I will say it's easy to get spoiled. I don't mind the shorter jaunts I don't necessarily pay and we get lots of upgrades but for these longer flights i like the space

Going to europe next week with my sister and niece for a girls trip...seated in economy....overnight leg from miami to frankfurt.

Since there's 3 of us together, we at least have the three block on a side, so no rando in the row with us, but I wasn't going to upgrade myself on my own and leave them. I did look at premium eco, but it's not that great looking on Lufthansa, (rows are 2-4-2 instead of 3-4-3, only about 2-3 inches wider seat and 6 of pitch, for an extra $2500 each RT...). The return I don't mind so much as it's a day flight.

Oh well, I'll suffer through! They don't know I upgraded our hotel to a BTD choice so I'm excited to surprise them with that when we land.

 

[ShadowBloom]

I had switched to first/business class for my travel the past few years, but I'm having to rethink it this year. I started pricing tickets for my trip to see family at Thanksgiving, and depending on the airline, they're 50-100% more expensive than last year. Much as I'd like a more comfortable trip, I don't see the value in that. For the first time ever I set fare alerts and am hoping prices will come down by several hundred dollars before I need to book. Else I'm likely to go back to steerage.