Business Class Worth The Price ?

confusedhuh on 21/12/2015 - 13:41

Whenever I catch a flight, I always wonder if Business class with 4x the normal cost worth the difference. I would rather spend it on something else ? Free upgrades or buying with points is different but is it worth buying them full price ?

so for those of you who often travel by business or first class (not talking about company paid) what are your key motivations on buying them at such a hight price ?

Also what about the new premium economy seats ? I think they are overpriced for what they offer. Not worth it. What do others think ?

Travel

Comments

  • mskeggs on 21/12/2015 - 13:54

    I have travelled to the UK business when my employer was paying.
    I have redeemed ff points for premium to HK and Cairns when it wasn't much more than the economy cost.
    In my opinion it is never worth actual money.

  • airzone on 21/12/2015 - 13:56
    +3

    Business - Only ever on business, but the difference in how fresh you feel after traveling to the US in business or economy is remarkable. If I was traveling with my kids and had the money, I'd certainly buy business tickets. Not pouring off a plane like a zombie is a definite plus.

    Premium - once again only experienced this for business (and it was a free upgrade), I don't think it's really worth it. The seat is a little more comfortable but you could still expect your neighbour to drool all over your shoulder while sleeping..

    • confusedhuh on 21/12/2015 - 14:18

      Agree - you do feel fresh with almost 180 degree seats on Business - valid point

    • Davros on 21/12/2015 - 14:45
      +2

      I can curl up in a corner and sleep in the heaving cockpit of yachts with walls of cold salt water being poured over me.
      Plane seats and waiting rooms at airports? Luxury.

  • Randxyz123 on 21/12/2015 - 14:14

    Business is absolutely worth the money. I am 193cm tall unless I am going within Australia I really don't have many other choices (other than to suffer for 15+ hours)

    • Davros on 21/12/2015 - 14:37

      Never heard of paying a few bucks extra for exit row seats eh?

      • Randxyz123 on 21/12/2015 - 15:04

        They make bugger all difference for the extra $50-200

        • Davros on 21/12/2015 - 16:02

          Makes a big enough difference for me and I am a finger taller than you.
          Money saved compared to business class keeps me on holiday for another several weeks.

        • Randxyz123 on 21/12/2015 - 16:42

          @Davros: Look it was much better than a standard economy seat but the annoyance of someone tripping over your foot when waiting for the toilet and the hit and miss with the amount of leg room(if you are on the window you have the bloody door in the way not to mention the narrow seat.

          Maybe because on the trip before my last one I went business and economy has been ruined for me…

        • SirFlibbled on 23/12/2015 - 13:51
          -1

          I'm a bit taller than you at 198cm and find exit rows perfectly fine. I'm going to Singapore next month on Scoot (and have done so before) and found their Super seats comfy as well.

          That being said, when travelling internationally, if I have the points I'll use them for business. Usually I'll bid on an upgrade but wont buy them as a standard.

      • Colin2905 on 21/12/2015 - 19:21

        Never heard of paying a few bucks extra for exit row seats eh?

        Mrs 2905 has a medical condition which rules out exit row seats when we're travelling together, which is most of the time.

        Not that I think it's worth the price, but I'll pay for Premium Economy just to get some extra legroom. Business class I only do on points at the reward seat level.

  • El Grande on 21/12/2015 - 14:21
    +2

    I was lucky enough to try the Emirates first class suite (free upgrade). It ruined flying for me. Now every time I fly I find myself trying to chat up the check in lady at the airport into an upgrade (unsuccessfully). Damn you Emirates.

    • Randxyz123 on 21/12/2015 - 15:04
      +1

      Upgraded from Economy to First or Business to First?

      • airzone on 21/12/2015 - 16:14
        +1

        Business most likely. Then a premium economy flier took his business seat, then an economy flier took theirs.. 3 people happy vs 1.

      • El Grande on 21/12/2015 - 22:08

        Upgrades only go 1 Level up.

  • RandomNinja on 21/12/2015 - 15:04
    +1

    I fly internationally 4+ times a year in business class for work and it does make a difference if you want to be functional at the end of the trip, even more so if the flight is overnight and/or crossing multiple time zones.

    If I'm travelling for holidays, I prefer to budget in an extra day to recover. The cost of a fancy hotel room is still cheaper than upgrading to business class.

  • frondono on 21/12/2015 - 16:02

    I flew to Amsterdam economy in June with KLM. I was really worried about the duration of the flight as I don't fly very well. I had exit row seats for the whole trip and I arrived fresh, the seats that I was in probably had the most leg room out of all the seats (1.5m) except for maybe one of those fancy cabins that the more luxurious operators offer. I was able to stretch my legs the whole trip and managed to get some sleep thanks to some ear plugs, sleeping mask and one of those blow up neck cushions. look for the exit rows in the middle of the plane, they're the best. get a cheap kit off ebay I think I picked up the cushion, mask and plugs for about $5. Maybe the only recommendation would be some industrial strength ear plugs that totally block out all noise, the neck cushion works wonders too, blow it up nice and firm and your neck stays in place pretty good.

  • Donaldhump on 21/12/2015 - 16:33
    +14

    some people prefer $50 hookers on the street, some prefer $1000 an hour hookers…. all preference…
    id rather fly economy and use the extra cash for premium hookers

  • ChillBro on 21/12/2015 - 16:38
    +2

    Hell no. I'll hide away in the storage if it's a cheaper option.

  • Google Chrome on 21/12/2015 - 17:26

    Business class is definitely worth it if you upgrade through points or buy when they're on sale. I only go business on long haul flights and maximise everything added extra they give you (airport lounges- food,massage,drinks, in flight stuff, extra baggage and the qc25 headphones that I always get to take after each trip). Definitely worth it. If you actually fly with them often enough and they know who you are, you may be able to get free seat upgrades when they're available.

    • Peace Maker on 21/12/2015 - 19:42
      +1

      You get to keep the QC25 headphones? Nice perk.

      • Google Chrome on 21/12/2015 - 19:58

        Yea, if they only give you the headphones, but if you ask them nice enough then they might give you the box etc.

        • modsec802 on 21/12/2015 - 20:15
          +1

          Which airline? Flown business/first but the noise cancelling headsets always have the triple plugs and are to stay on board

        • El Grande on 21/12/2015 - 22:28

          Yeah they have the airline plugs only and airlines logo on them too. I forgot to take mine off once before getting off and the air hostess asked me to return them prior to getting off the plane. Super embarrassing.

          If you put them in the handbag that is another story :D

        • Google Chrome on 21/12/2015 - 23:42
          +1

          JAL, emirates. The ones with logos have the 3 plugs which they ask for back. I normally ask for headphones to use on my ipad and they bring out the actual ones along with an adapter. I only know this because it was a tip given by one of the other colleagues. Don't think it applies to all airlines though.

  • SlickMick on 22/12/2015 - 00:41
    +3

    I will never, ever, ever pay extra. My daughter got bumped and sings the praises of business class, but I will always see flights as a necessary nuisance to get to where I want to be and will always do it as cheap as I can.

    But then again, I don't enjoy expensive hotels either. I just think about how much I could have saved by staying somewhere dingy. (Again, hotels are just a place to sleep, not my purpose for being away from home.)

    I've also never tried gold class cinemas either :)

  • csg001 on 23/12/2015 - 00:44
    +2

    Don't do it, it will ruin air travel for you.

    I managed to score a first class flight on Cathay flying NYC to HK (bought points and redeemed award flight) on a US trip a while ago, it was absolutely awesome and thoroughly enjoyed it. Food was amazing, service was amazing, and most importantly, got a very very good sleep (considering I was on a plane).

    The flight back to Oz was on AirasiaX, felt like torture compared to the first class flight a few days prior.

    Flying economy has never been the same for me again… :(

    • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2018 - 08:14

      I was under the impression that Cathay doesn’t have first class? Only dual class set ups.

  • The tiger on 04/03/2018 - 08:11

    Don’t waste your money. Yes instead use your money to stay a few nights at the 5 stars hotel . I had the experience of being promoted to business class. No much different except they knew my surname.

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