balancing spending and saving

[meleana]

If I were only going to upgrade one leg, it's the return, because facing that flight at the end of a trip can be a drag. Of course, there's benefit to arriving refreshed as well, so it's a toss up sometimes.

But in your case, picture yourself on the last few days of your trip, after flying business, knowing you have the return coming up, and it's coach.

That person will be glad you upgraded, if they are anything like me.

All these decisions are case by case, but that's what I'd do, except I'd have left the kids in coach both ways - yours are old enough.

We have a long flight to Sicily coming up in a couple of months and thinking of upgrading GOING because after a 2 hour ride to Boston airport with the Two hour wait and after that long flight we have a 6 hour layover in Munich before a 2 1/2 flight to Catania. Then a one hour ride to the hotel!

I saw on line the upgrade to Premium Economy from Coach is $400 each. We have refundable fare and not sure if upgrading it would still refundable. Currently we have aisle seats across from each other - wheelchair ( for me) tickets.

I am 68 with the bad back and my husband is 70.

Business class, however is way too expensive for us. Can’t justify it.

 

[skyking1]

I'm with you @meleana
For us the eastbound jet lag is the worst, so anything to help with that is good.
That is a long day for you.

 

[brett]

No one can answer this for you. It really does not matter what I do or what others do.

It will come down to a decision on your percepion of value, and perhaps the prevailing ticket price when you hit the buy button.

Just go with your gut. Don't sweat the small stuff.

And in the big picture and in the rear view mirror at some point you will see that it really is/was small stuff. Assuming that it is within your financial ability. Make a decision and run with it.

Have a wonderful vacation however you decide to go.

 

[Koolau]

It's nice to have this kind of "problem" to deal with. Typically, I've come down on the side of "value." Example: How is one seat on an aircraft worth 2 or 3 times as much as another when they're both going to the same place at the same time? BUT we have, of late, decided that Economy Plus is our "sweet spot" for value vs price. You have to do the same internal calculation for yourself. None of us here can make that decision for you. It's hard enough to make it for myself.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[dirtbiker]

I'm nowhere near hitting nine figures. I'll be lucky to hit eight figures when I retire. So keep in mind, my take on this may not relate to your situation as much.

I can't personally justify spending so much more on a flight for first/business class, even a long overseas flight. The way I look at it is that if I'm will to spend an extra $x,xxx on a flight, I'd rather suck it up for a few hours on the flight, and spend that extra money on dining, experiences, gifts, etc. When I plan a vacation, I look at the total budget. So, if I've got a set amount for vacation, I will need to take from other areas if I spend more on the flight. That is just not acceptable for me. YMMV though.

 

[Midpack]

I’ve evolved to spend a little more, but when I face a BTD question, I consider:
- is it a BIG essential expense, like a better house, expensive car, etc. Plus a better house or car will be more expensive to maintain for as long as you own it. I most likely wouldn’t do it.
- is it a significant discretionary expense, like boating, flying, owning horses, etc., month after month, year after year, that adds up to significant $ in time. I’d think twice.
- is it a nominal upgrade, one time expense. Better hotel, plane seat, restaurant, etc. Something we can opt in/out on a case by case basis. Most likely I’d do it.

 

[Koolau]

I guess the question I keep asking myself: Is the increase in cost worth what I receive in exchange? Example is 1st class or Business class vs coach. It's 3X for 1st class vs coach to fly to the mainland for me. So far, I just can't do it. I love flying 1st class, but just won't (yet) spend the money. Maybe 2X? But not 3X. It's not that I can't afford it. YMMV

 

[REIJM]

I am debating upgrading us one way for our trip this summer 9 hours one way to business class. We are flying business out with miles (family of 4) but regular return. Cost is $1200 per person and we spent $400 on the one way. I read the other thread about FC domestic and I do it usually when it's less than $100 more per person, which has happened quite a lot recently.

Anyway i'm just curious how the rest of you not RE balance the spending with the savings? We're FI, but not RE. Mostly because we're golden handcuffed right now for a bit and the kids are 9th adn 7th grade so we're tied to our area and it's not a hardship. We've hit our number and are on cruise control just saving. So I've been loosening the purse strings.

But how do you balance it? my fire will be fat and i live pretty fat now. So do you bump it up more? The natural frugalite in me is warring.

If you’re going to have a FatFIRE, then why is it a concern in the first place?

Personally, I wouldn’t spend $4,800 extra on one way tickets on a plane where I’m going to sit for 9 hours.

I would much rather spend that $4,800 during the course of my trip on more experiences that will be far more memorable than the seat on a plane.

 

[Koolau]

If you’re going to have a FatFIRE, then why is it a concern in the first place?

Personally, I wouldn’t spend $4,800 extra on one way tickets on a plane where I’m going to sit for 9 hours.

I would much rather spend that $4,800 during the course of my trip on more experiences that will be far more memorable than the seat on a plane.

That's kinda where I am though I could afford the extra money for the ticket and for the other stuff as well.