Premium economy vs business class pros 'n' cons...
Discussion
I'm starting to plan a Route 66 trip so will be flying into Chicago and back from San Fran (yes, I know it should be LAX - but we're going to try and visit DV, Yosemite and Sequoia too) and was toying with the idea of going business rather than premium cattle. Obviously, there is a price differential (when I looked tickets for Mrs DG and me would come in at, roughly, £5k in business which is about double PE - we won't even mention 1st 
) but is the differential worth it?
) but is the differential worth it?How much is the money worth it to you, and who are you flying with?
BA business vs. Premium Economy, I’d say business is much better. If the extra is spending a bit of bonus money or it’s a trip you want to treat yourself on, I’d fly business. If it’s money you’d resent spending, not so much.
BA business vs. Premium Economy, I’d say business is much better. If the extra is spending a bit of bonus money or it’s a trip you want to treat yourself on, I’d fly business. If it’s money you’d resent spending, not so much.
We did LHR > Seattle last year in economy and although I’ve done lots of business flights I can’t see how I could personally justify the price increase. I’m 6’2” and hate the west > east leg but it was entirely bearable.
If you aren’t worried about cost, of course it’s a much nicer way to travel but that’s a lot of nice meals out / better hotels etc.
If you aren’t worried about cost, of course it’s a much nicer way to travel but that’s a lot of nice meals out / better hotels etc.
miniman said:
If you aren’t worried about cost, of course it’s a much nicer way to travel but that’s a lot of nice meals out / better hotels etc.
And that's it really - if the extra £2500 isn't a big deal to you or a significant %age of the trip cost, why not.Because I'm a cheapskate, my view is 12 hours in the cheap seats pays for other stuff once I'm where I'm going, especially as I spend at least half of that asleep. But that's just my opinion.
Of course, some's belief on PH is that <whatever huge sum of money> is nothing more than "a decent dinner".
DanL said:
How much is the money worth it to you, and who are you flying with?
BA business vs. Premium Economy, I’d say business is much better. If the extra is spending a bit of bonus money or it’s a trip you want to treat yourself on, I’d fly business. If it’s money you’d resent spending, not so much.
I'd agree with this.BA business vs. Premium Economy, I’d say business is much better. If the extra is spending a bit of bonus money or it’s a trip you want to treat yourself on, I’d fly business. If it’s money you’d resent spending, not so much.
For my part, yes, I'll always go business or first, whereas I have a friend who only ever pays for economy.
It's entirely down to your own assessment of the value.
What I will add is that, particularly if you're relatively free on your timetable, there are a lot of ways to get the cost right down, especially if you are in any loyalty schemes (e.g. the BA Executive Club).
Personally I would want at least premium economy but that's because i'm 6ft4 and plane seats are pretty unbearable for me in economy unless I can pay for an extra legroom seat which I do wherever an option.
Premium economy is basically about the extra legroom and maybe a wider seat in the main where as Business Class is a whole different experience . If I was paying with my own money with a 5k premium i'd be happy to settle for premium economy as i'm pretty tolerant of the rest of the airport experience as a means to an end.
Premium economy is basically about the extra legroom and maybe a wider seat in the main where as Business Class is a whole different experience . If I was paying with my own money with a 5k premium i'd be happy to settle for premium economy as i'm pretty tolerant of the rest of the airport experience as a means to an end.
We did NY with BA last year - 4 of us. We flew premium out and business back, because I wanted to sleep on an overnight flight.
I was very impressed with premium. Loads of space (even for one of us who is about 6'3), good food and service. It was much better than I thought it would be.
Business was obviously better although the g/f (now wife) doesn't like it because you're separated into your own mini cabin.
We're currently in Barbados and booked business both ways - but for future BA flights (that are not overnight) I think I'd be very tempted by premium again.
I was very impressed with premium. Loads of space (even for one of us who is about 6'3), good food and service. It was much better than I thought it would be.
Business was obviously better although the g/f (now wife) doesn't like it because you're separated into your own mini cabin.
We're currently in Barbados and booked business both ways - but for future BA flights (that are not overnight) I think I'd be very tempted by premium again.
We're going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans for my Wife's 60 Birthday. We had this planned in plenty of time so I applied for a Virgin Money credit card and started to use it for everything, paying it off in full every month. It doesn't take that long to earn a companion voucher and then enough miles for an upper class return flight. Yes, there are charges when you book the reward flight but they're not that bad. Availability of reward flights in Upper Class is pretty good.
We're flying into Las Vegas and then home from Nassau. Virgin actually cancelled the entire route from Nassau after we booked, so they re-booked us onto BA in Club World instead.
Would I fly long haul in Business if I had to pay full fare - probably not - but if you're planning ahead it's pretty easy to do it for less money.
We're flying into Las Vegas and then home from Nassau. Virgin actually cancelled the entire route from Nassau after we booked, so they re-booked us onto BA in Club World instead.
Would I fly long haul in Business if I had to pay full fare - probably not - but if you're planning ahead it's pretty easy to do it for less money.
DodgyGeezer said:
I'm starting to plan a Route 66 trip so will be flying into Chicago and back from San Fran (yes, I know it should be LAX - but we're going to try and visit DV, Yosemite and Sequoia too) and was toying with the idea of going business rather than premium cattle. Obviously, there is a price differential (when I looked tickets for Mrs DG and me would come in at, roughly, £5k in business which is about double PE - we won't even mention 1st ) but is the differential worth it?
Only you can answer the question of worth it or not because it’s entirely subjective but to me yes it’s worth it as a rule, it’s just so much more pleasant. ) but is the differential worth it?I don’t fly economy long haul because I find it f
king miserable so I hunt out cheap business fares as much as possible. For day flights premium is good enough and where business is just too much to stomach I’ll opt for it, extra legroom and more importantly extra width of the seats so I’m not sat with my shoulder pressed against someone else’s for 10 hours is still worth a lot. Business for an overnight flight, premium offers little over economy for these.The US is so damned expensive now that an extra couple of grand is not really the end of the world in the grand scheme of what that holiday is likely to cost but again that depends on whether it compromises your ability to take another trip etc. only you can answer that. I will say that £5k for two is steep and it’s probably worth waiting for a sale. The most I’ve ever paid for a US business fare was £2k and that was booked 6 weeks in advance. That would be my personal ceiling I think.
Alternatively, if you’re not strapped for time it can be worth looking at starting in Dublin for example and taking advantage of an ex EU fare with the Brucey bonus of clearing US immigration in Dublin and landing as a domestic passenger in the US. Amsterdam or Paris are sometimes better priced as well. All depends on airline sales and desire to compete. Google flights is your friend here.
I've done loads of flights in Economy in past years, including 7 flights over 4 weeks on a round-the-world ticket with my wife and a 3 and 5 year-old (London-Hong Kong-Sydney-Melbourne-Hawaii-San Francisco-London), however in recent years we'll only fly in better cabins, but that is very much a personal choice based on finances of course. My view from travelling a lot in them all is:
Premium = a good step up from Economy in terms of comfort (legroom and width) and slightly better food. Good for daytime flights, but still upright for sleeping overnight though.
Business = a very different experience, much bigger overall space and far more private, even better food and drinks, but the main jump is the flat bed, so great for night flights.
First = a smaller jump from Business, even more space and even better food/service, drinks really jump in quality, slightly bigger flat-bed.
For a day-flight the jump to Premium is worth it, the extra jumps arguably less so, whereas for night-flights the big jump is to a flat-bed. A lot of people I know will travel out in Premium and back in Business for this reason.
We've also done First out and Business back for the USA a few times, as the benefits of First are often better enjoyed on a day-flight, as it's really about the onboard service/food/drink, given both have flat beds.
As said before, start using the right credit cards, save the points, get a Companion Voucher and you can get them for much cheaper. We're doing First to Chicago in a few weeks time and Business back from New Orleans 3 weeks later on BA and it's 165,000 Avios plus £1,600 from memory. We've managed to do over a dozen First/Business flights over the last decade all on Avios.
Premium = a good step up from Economy in terms of comfort (legroom and width) and slightly better food. Good for daytime flights, but still upright for sleeping overnight though.
Business = a very different experience, much bigger overall space and far more private, even better food and drinks, but the main jump is the flat bed, so great for night flights.
First = a smaller jump from Business, even more space and even better food/service, drinks really jump in quality, slightly bigger flat-bed.
For a day-flight the jump to Premium is worth it, the extra jumps arguably less so, whereas for night-flights the big jump is to a flat-bed. A lot of people I know will travel out in Premium and back in Business for this reason.
We've also done First out and Business back for the USA a few times, as the benefits of First are often better enjoyed on a day-flight, as it's really about the onboard service/food/drink, given both have flat beds.
As said before, start using the right credit cards, save the points, get a Companion Voucher and you can get them for much cheaper. We're doing First to Chicago in a few weeks time and Business back from New Orleans 3 weeks later on BA and it's 165,000 Avios plus £1,600 from memory. We've managed to do over a dozen First/Business flights over the last decade all on Avios.
Edited by Guyr on Sunday 13th October 20:05
InitialDave said:
I'd agree with this.
For my part, yes, I'll always go business or first, whereas I have a friend who only ever pays for economy.
It's entirely down to your own assessment of the value.
What I will add is that, particularly if you're relatively free on your timetable, there are a lot of ways to get the cost right down, especially if you are in any loyalty schemes (e.g. the BA Executive Club).
My wife and I always fly Business or First, normally with BA, but we would never pay the sort of prices referred to above. For us using a BA Premium Amex card to collect Avios points, and earning a 2-for-1 voucher, means that we can normally get 2 long-hall flights for less than £1000. We flew JAL First to Tokyo last year for around £1,500 total (plus lots of Avios).For my part, yes, I'll always go business or first, whereas I have a friend who only ever pays for economy.
It's entirely down to your own assessment of the value.
What I will add is that, particularly if you're relatively free on your timetable, there are a lot of ways to get the cost right down, especially if you are in any loyalty schemes (e.g. the BA Executive Club).
I’d probably choose Premium Economy over Business at the price quoted by the OP and put that extra money towards hotels / meals etc.
I flew into LHR from Doha yesterday, business class on a Qatar 380
Is it worth the extra? Really it depends on what you value. Having access to the lounge and being able to walk straight to the check in desk is very nice. The space and comfort is way beyond economy though I think the Qsuite in a 777 is even better.
The food is fantastic. Choice of champagnes, anytime dining and the level of service is outstanding.
(Gratuitous picture of caviar and smoked salmon)
Plus you are off the plane first.
I’d say it’s worth every penny as you arrive fresh and feel your travel is part of your holiday rather than a means of just getting there.
Is it worth the extra? Really it depends on what you value. Having access to the lounge and being able to walk straight to the check in desk is very nice. The space and comfort is way beyond economy though I think the Qsuite in a 777 is even better.
The food is fantastic. Choice of champagnes, anytime dining and the level of service is outstanding.
(Gratuitous picture of caviar and smoked salmon)
Plus you are off the plane first.
I’d say it’s worth every penny as you arrive fresh and feel your travel is part of your holiday rather than a means of just getting there.
Thankyou4calling said:
...business class on a Qatar 380...
The Business Classes on the Middle Eastern airlines always seems a notch above the legacy European and American airlines (one could suggest they need to make less profit).I am a mid ranking scummer who has lucked into British Airways Silver tier since they've been offering double points on flights booked with rental cars or hotel rooms, so you can book yourself a fairly agreeable long haul experience by having free seat allocation and getting the bulkhead Premium Economy seats with more legroom than your actual legs, plus proper lounge access and the VIP check-in, security fast-track etc, and being in the first row of the cabin you can be assured they haven't sold out of any of the main courses. (BA PE has the same food as business). For a daytime flight it doesn't seem much worse than a business seat, for a fraction of the price.
Good luck with the journey; DV is great, but having driven there and around in a day... I'd say you need good planning.
Our days was 18 hours of driving and walking about in temps of around 113 degrees.
Absolutely loved it.
Yosemite and sequoia are miles apart... ask me how I know.
We did 4730 miles in 19 days...
Our days was 18 hours of driving and walking about in temps of around 113 degrees.
Absolutely loved it.
Yosemite and sequoia are miles apart... ask me how I know.
We did 4730 miles in 19 days...
Edited by Just_read_the _instructions on Monday 14th October 07:28
Truckosaurus said:
The Business Classes on the Middle Eastern airlines always seems a notch above the legacy European and American airlines (one could suggest they need to make less profit).
I am a mid ranking scummer who has lucked into British Airways Silver tier since they've been offering double points on flights booked with rental cars or hotel rooms, so you can book yourself a fairly agreeable long haul experience by having free seat allocation and getting the bulkhead Premium Economy seats with more legroom than your actual legs, plus proper lounge access and the VIP check-in, security fast-track etc, and being in the first row of the cabin you can be assured they haven't sold out of any of the main courses. (BA PE has the same food as business). For a daytime flight it doesn't seem much worse than a business seat, for a fraction of the price.
You’re a brave man booking bulkhead in premium. I did it once, there was a baby in the bassinet next to me and it seemed to struggle with flying, poor kid. Even my excellent noise cancelling headphones struggled. Really felt for the parents as there was nothing they could do but now I take my chances mid cabin.I am a mid ranking scummer who has lucked into British Airways Silver tier since they've been offering double points on flights booked with rental cars or hotel rooms, so you can book yourself a fairly agreeable long haul experience by having free seat allocation and getting the bulkhead Premium Economy seats with more legroom than your actual legs, plus proper lounge access and the VIP check-in, security fast-track etc, and being in the first row of the cabin you can be assured they haven't sold out of any of the main courses. (BA PE has the same food as business). For a daytime flight it doesn't seem much worse than a business seat, for a fraction of the price.
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