Willingly paying more to avoid travel discomforts at 60+

[Focus]

I've been thinking a lot lately about what type of travel works for me as I head into my mid-60s. As part of this, on my latest trip to Europe I continuously evaluated how well I handled the discomforts of travel.

The good news:

-- To my surprise, I find jet lag more manageable nowadays. Since I can't sleep on flights, I used to force myself to stay up until the local bedtime, the result being that it would take me a good week to feel normal. Now, I sleep five to six hours immediately after arriving (morning or early afternoon best) and then hit the bed again at the regular time for a few more hours. After a couple of days, I'm feeling pretty OK.

-- It used to take me a while to adjust to new beds, but now that's no longer an issue.

-- Thanks to Global Entry, my re-entry to the U.S. was incredibly fast. Five seconds for a facial scan and done. So glad I signed up years ago.

The bad news:

-- I hate long flights more than ever. Much more. The seat on my Delta flight was so uncomfortable that I had to put a pillow under my butt. Making the whole ordeal worse is the fact that airlines expect us to arrive at the airport ridiculously early. Delta strongly suggested I arrive four hours before my first flight of two!

I subsequently made several promises to myself:

-- Pay more for flight comfort (although I still can't swallow the cost of first class). Never sit in a middle seat again. Never do a connecting flight again, even if I have to adjust my itinerary to ensure I end up in a city with a direct flight back. If I'm going to a far-flung locale, I'll fly first to a city along the way, stay there for a few days, and then take another flight to the final destination; upon my return, I'll do a variation on the same.

-- Opt for better quality Airbnbs or hotels. On this trip, I stayed in a miniscule Airbnb -- admittedly, in an ideal location. However, the washer was broken, the hand shower attachment was also broken, and there was little cutlery or the ability to clean/dry plates. It's worth paying more to avoid these issues.

-- Perhaps focus less on land trips and more on cruises.

 

[Koolau]

Travel is always a hassle - even if one is used to it. Paying more gives one a better chance of a "better" experience, but is no guarantee. We've decided to fly Economy Plus or better going forward. We have two "home bases" we start from - either our own place in the Islands or our old homestead on the mainland. With those as our bases of travel operation, we limit the number of flights and do more driving. If I can travel without flying, I'm willing to drive for a day or even more.

We all have our travel hacks and we eventually need to add more luxury (spend more money) because our bodies are aging and they are not as adaptable to the rigors of travel.

Some day, we may simply cease our travels but that day has not yet come. In the meantime, we are making do and adjusting to our advancing age as best we can. Welcome to the club.

 

[COcheesehead]

I may have to think twice before putting my head on an airline pillow again.

 

[audreyh1]

The older we get the more comfort travel is important to us. We are happy to shell out the $$ to improve quality of experience. We’re still gung ho about traveling and hope to continue for many more years. 65 and 70.

 

[Lorenzo]

The seat on my Delta flight was so uncomfortable that I had to put a pillow under my butt.

I bought an inflatable seat cushion designed to mitigate Economy class seat discomfort, but I did not find it helped enough to outweigh the hassle of taking it.

 

[foxcreek9]

I agree with comfort and will fly Business or Prem Economy if the point redemption rate is reasonable (getting harder all the time), otherwise we fly coach (i will sit on the folded blanket and use the pillow as lumbar support). I'm thankful that our sizes make coach ok in terms of legroom and seat width.

Taking a trip to New Zealand so we are flying to ORD-HNL the day before and spending the night and then the next afternoon fly HNL to Auckland, costs more but should make the whole experience a little less taxing.

 

[marko]

From what I've seen of economy....to quote my dear, late grandmother "that's not for you".

A First/Business seat and a nonstop are definitely the way to go. +1 on your idea of stopping a day or two rather than connecting flights. The only downside is dealing with the whole airport thing twice as much.

After 4,000,000 air miles sitting in First, I hate to say that the entire airport experience (even with club rooms) has lost its appeal for me.

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I’m 6’4” and 310#. I will no longer fly coach class. It’s painful. For me and the people sitting beside me. I pay for first class on domestic flights and usually premium economy on international flights. Now and then I will fly business class international flights. My butt still hurts on longer international flights in premium economy. Sitting on a pillow doesn’t really help. I have also gradually started staying in higher end accommodations. Life is too short to stay in an Econolodge.

HOWEVER, my best friend, who I travel with about 50% of the time, is very frugal (and admittedly, has less money than I do). He always wants the cheapest everything. So he sits in coach when I’m up front. And we stay in lower end accommodations when he is with me. We make it work.

 

[marko]

I have also gradually started staying in higher end accommodations. Life is too short to stay in an Econolodge.

+1. Amen! As DW says, "we're too old and too rich to put up with too much BS, discomfort or inconvenience".

 

[MRG]

We only do first class or business anymore. Seldom do a connection without staying overnight.

I'm typing this from the same airport I spent 4 hours waiting for a ground stop to clear last year. We missed our connection and lost a day in Fiji

We're sitting waiting for another ground stop. Same airport, different destination. I told my wife I'm done with flying anywhere.

ETA: Another hour and I'm trying to get a $34 12" pizza before they close.

 

[MC Rider]

Last time I flew, it was 3 flights each way. The seats were hard and too small. If that did not suck enough it was over an hour trying to catch a Lyft out of LAX late night when I got back. I finally nabbed a bandit cab. I don't want to fly either.

 

[athena53]

Delta strongly suggested I arrive four hours before my first flight of two!

My home airport is not a hub so I'm always making a domestic connection first. While I understand that at some point they need to have a human check my passport (they can be fined if they let a passenger without proper documentation land in a foreign country) I don't feel any need to arrive as early as they specify for an "international flight".

Like others, I now schedule an overnight if I have to connect in Europe. This last trip was an exception since I had nonstops from Chicago to Vienna and from Vienna to Dulles, but usually I overnight in London both ways before going onward.

One promise I made to myself after this last trip: if I land early in the morning I am getting a hotel room for the night before. I was very lucky- flew to Vienna, got to the hotel and they let me in the room at 10 AM. Even in Business Class I don't sleep that well (too many good movies, too much good food) and a nap before I went out exploring did wonders. I am done dragging my rollaboard over cobblestone streets till 3 PM. I just need to make sure they know I'm arriving in the AM and not the night before.

 

[marko]

One promise I made to myself after this last trip: if I land early in the morning I am getting a hotel room for the night before. I was very lucky- flew to Vienna, got to the hotel and they let me in the room at 10 AM. Even in Business Class I don't sleep that well (too many good movies, too much good food) and a nap before I went out exploring did wonders. I am done dragging my rollaboard over cobblestone streets till 3 PM. I just need to make sure they know I'm arriving in the AM and not the night before.

That is SOP for us. Nothing like getting to the hotel around 9am, getting a nice hot shower and a nap.

Tip: Schipoll has a hotel inside of security. They rent by half day rates, nice shower, comfy bed, wake up call, and.....the invoice lists it as a "bar" expense in case corporate accounting gets curious and won't pay for a hotel.

 

[brett]

We are of two minds. We want comfort. After years of flying it certainly is not our favorite method of transport but needs must.

We will put with a 22/24 hour elapsed time with 2, sometimes three flights IF we are staying for at least 6 weeks, preferably 8 or 9. We will not do it for a three week trip. I can sleep on a flight, DW not so much. We find going to Asia or Europe just fine as it pertains to jet lag. Exactly the opposite coming home. And if it is 17-18 hrs to Singapore a lay down seat is a must. In years past we could do the Australia route standing up! Now we stop in HNL for two nights.

Will we go to Florida for some sun and sea when it takes almost a full day because we typically have to change planes? When we can catch a 4-5.5 hours direct flight from our home in Canada to multiple Mexico or Costa Rica destinations?

Absolutely not. Used to do regularly pre retirement to pick up cruises etc. Not any more.

Does DW still pack the kitchen sink and check bags. Nope. Carry on only for us oldsters. That way we are certain that we can handle our bags independent of any assistance.

No. Changing planes in DFW, DEN, IAH, YYZ, YUL, SLC, SEA has zero attraction for us oldsters on a two or three week trip.

 

[Out of Steam]

I’m 6’4” and 310#. I will no longer fly coach class. It’s painful. For me and the people sitting beside me. I pay for first class on domestic flights and usually premium economy on international flights. Now and then I will fly business class international flights. My butt still hurts on longer international flights in premium economy. Sitting on a pillow doesn’t really help. I have also gradually started staying in higher end accommodations. Life is too short to stay in an Econolodge.

My brother is about your weight but 6 inches shorter and hasn't been on a plane in a decade. I'm 6 feet and 230 pounds, and decided on a recent vacation that I had reached my limit of 8 hours for a flight in economy class. If I ever cross the Pacific it will be in premium economy or business class.

I've been cutting out too-cheap accommodations for some years, especially when traveling with my wife and daughter. Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express seem like a reasonable minimum.

 

[sengsational]

I try to book "non-marathon" itineraries now. Sometimes it's hard to do, and often it's more hours in the airport. But I find that if I'm "fresh," being in the airport, or waiting in a line isn't that bad. It's if I haven't seen a shower in over 24 hours or if it's past midnight at the time zone I'm acclimated to, then it's worse. So flying direct and business if it's a long one are things I'm now doing. And I don't eat everything they offer. I never watch TV on the plane. I bring podcasts and a book. On the overnights, I get up before landing, brush and wash and act as if I slept, hehe! And I'm getting to Europe with a lay-flat double bed for a small fraction of business class (Trans Atlantic cruise). Then a business class daytime to South America...that should be fine. The unavoidable marathon is a 22 hour itinerary on the way back home. And it starts at...wait for it...3AM. Ugh. No other way.

 

[Koolau]

I may have to think twice before putting my head on an airline pillow again.

Yeah, I still recall finding out that those blankets you get in the nice plastic bag are just shoved back in a plastic bag by the cleaning crew. Yuk!

 

[planuntilthefisthits]

As a formerly very frugal person, I humbly submit my list:

Pre-hired driver to take us to airport and to hotel. and return.

Always domestic F, regardless of flight duration. Paid international business unless award F or J is available. (haven't been able to break psychological barrier to purchase international F)

Minimum number of connections despite the extra cost.

Arrive several days early just to overcome jet lag.

5-Star hotel if available, and through them, book drivers to/from airport/cruise terminal. Seamless experience when hotel knows you are about to show up at the front door because their driver notified them.

1-Bedroom hotel or cruise ship suite so the one who is up doesn't disturb the sleeper.

If an international hotel has an exclusive lounge, book a suite in that category. A proper lounge will get one many additional benefits that are unlisted.

Private guides retained by hotel or cruise ship. No waiting for others on tours. Change one's mind..no problem.

Some possible future options:

Ship luggage to destination and back home. Very expensive.

Paid international F. Also very expensive.

 

[SecondAttempt]

That is SOP for us. Nothing like getting to the hotel around 9am, getting a nice hot shower and a nap.

Tip: Schipoll has a hotel inside of security. They rent by half day rates, nice shower, comfy bed, wake up call, and.....the invoice lists it as a "bar" expense in case corporate accounting gets curious and won't pay for a hotel.

And corporate accounting would pay for a "bar" expense?

 

[Koolau]

As a formerly very frugal person, I humbly submit my list:

Pre-hired driver to take us to airport and to hotel. and return.

Always domestic F, regardless of flight duration. Paid international business unless award F or J is available. (haven't been able to break psychological barrier to purchase international F)

Minimum number of connections despite the extra cost.

Arrive several days early just to overcome jet lag.

5-Star hotel if available, and through them, book drivers to/from airport/cruise terminal. Seamless experience when hotel knows you are about to show up at the front door because their driver notified them.

1-Bedroom hotel or cruise ship suite so the one who is up doesn't disturb the sleeper.

If an international hotel has an exclusive lounge, book a suite in that category. A proper lounge will get one many additional benefits that are unlisted.

Private guides retained by hotel or cruise ship. No waiting for others on tours. Change one's mind..no problem.

Some possible future options:

Ship luggage to destination and back home. Very expensive.

Paid international F. Also very expensive.

Definitely emphasis on "FORMERLY" very frugal. I don't think I could ever bring myself to spend like that for travel though I probably could afford it. Good for you!!

 

[bonvoyage]

Like several people who have commented here, we only fly business class on international flights nowadays. If you are alert, you can find fare sales on FlyerTalk. For example, we were able to $3000 round trip on business class to Greece earlier this year.
On the other hand, sometimes, you just can't find good deals so you do have to pay up. We have a trip to Southeast Asia coming up in a few months. I paid about $5500 for business class tickets - but considering its 18 hours of travel time, I'm glad that we will be able to get some sleep on the flight

 

[mystang52]

For quite a few years, now, DW and I have opted for happily paying more for upgraded travel. First class domestic air. "Premium Economy" for international (not lie-down seats, but the seats themmselves are equivalent of domestic first class). We get a bigger rental car for ease of entry/exit, use redcap for help at airport with luggage, etc. After having benefits of LBYM, and being able to afford it, why would we not do so?

 

[DrRoy]

For a few years now we have been flying upper class (lay down bed) for all overnight flights, and occasionally upper class economy other times.
Prior to that, I had been known to bring a memory foam pad to sit on. It was better.
Better lodging, or class of room on a cruise.

 

[dixonge]

-- To my surprise, I find jet lag more manageable nowadays. Since I can't sleep on flights, I used to force myself to stay up until the local bedtime, the result being that it would take me a good week to feel normal. Now, I sleep five to six hours immediately after arriving (morning or early afternoon best) and then hit the bed again at the regular time for a few more hours. After a couple of days, I'm feeling pretty OK.

When we last flew overnight to France, arriving around noon, we checked in to our AirBnB then met some family. Managed to stay up until normal bedtime hours in that time zone. Tired, but that just helped us sleep well. Woke up normal local time, pretty much minimal jet lag!

-- Thanks to Global Entry, my re-entry to the U.S. was incredibly fast. Five seconds for a facial scan and done. So glad I signed up years ago.

Global Entry is awesome! Was also excited when I learned that it includes TSA-PreCheck.

-- I hate long flights more than ever. Much more. The seat on my Delta flight was so uncomfortable that I had to put a pillow under my butt. Making the whole ordeal worse is the fact that airlines expect us to arrive at the airport ridiculously early. Delta strongly suggested I arrive four hours before my first flight of two!

We had a *horrible* time sleeping on our overnight flight (11 hours) - on the return flight we flew during the afternoon, and since we did not expect to sleep, we were able to get in a few naps. Felt like we slept better. Some odd psychological trick there. Next time we're going to use some of those weird lean-forward sleep pillow box thingies.

You have to adjust your airport arrival times based on the airport and luggage. If you can fly without checked bags you save a lot of time. Plus airport lounges make the extra time pass much faster.

-- Pay more for flight comfort (although I still can't swallow the cost of first class). Never sit in a middle seat again. Never do a connecting flight again, even if I have to adjust my itinerary to ensure I end up in a city with a direct flight back. If I'm going to a far-flung locale, I'll fly first to a city along the way, stay there for a few days, and then take another flight to the final destination; upon my return, I'll do a variation on the same.

I think a 4-hour layover w/ a lounge would work as long as the subsequent leg has an option for sleeping, like business class. Especially if you arrive in the morning. The lounge avoids the store-your-luggage and wander-around-town issue, or trying to arrange early check-in at a hotel. Plus you can shower and/or sleep in many lounges. If we do overnight before the next leg, just one night will do for us generally.

-- Opt for better quality Airbnbs or hotels. On this trip, I stayed in a miniscule Airbnb -- admittedly, in an ideal location. However, the washer was broken, the hand shower attachment was also broken, and there was little cutlery or the ability to clean/dry plates. It's worth paying more to avoid these issues.

Our Paris AirBnB experience kinda broke me. We did have a couple of nice ones, but the others were odd. One had no fans, and it was around 90+ with no breeze at night. Stifling! Another was halfway inside someone's home and up two flights of stairs. The Strasbourg Sofitel stood out as an amazing stay in comparison! (also, more expensive, but still...). Using points for decent hotels is much better.

-- Perhaps focus less on land trips and more on cruises.

We are going to S. America late this year, and it occurred to me that cruises replace quite a few things. Air/ground transport, hotels and restaurants. Flying around S. America, staying at hotels, eating at restaurants is both expensive and a logistical nightmare. Cruising is just one purchase. You are basically doing overnight transport in a top-end first class cabin, even with interior cabins. For every stop! Flights eat up a lot of time. For even a short 1-2 hour flight you burn an additional six hours easy for packing, check-out, taxi, airport check-in and boarding, then deplaning, taxi, hotel check-in and unpacking. With a cruise you just wake up, eat breakfast, go on-shore, do some tours, walk back on-board. Sleep while going to the next port.

This is fairly untenable while working, given that most people are lucky to save up for a 2-week vacation and are trying to cram in as many experiences as possible. But once you retire the timeframes open up enough that you can just stop worrying about the insane schedule and take your time.

 

[athena53]

If an international hotel has an exclusive lounge, book a suite in that category. A proper lounge will get one many additional benefits that are unlisted.

I've had decent luck with Hilton properties in Europe. If there's an "Executive floor" rate I get that. They used to have them in the US but the lounges deteriorated and AFAIK they've all disappeared. I still remember one in Seattle that was pretty much a regular room with the bed removed, a lot of chairs, too may people and not much more than chips and dip being served. Three years ago I stayed in the Hilton Malta and the lounge had a balcony on the Aegean, a full bar, and buffets at meal times that were enough to make up a light meal. Heaven.

1-Bedroom hotel or cruise ship suite so the one who is up doesn't disturb the sleeper.

DH and I started paying attention to this. He wore out early and needed space to stretch out and relax while I explored some more, so we made sure we stayed in places with a more room.