business and First class,worth it or not ?
Discussion
Many times when booking flights I've priced up business opposed to cattle and every time when push came to shove I couldn't justify booking.I don't think the big price difference is good VFM,am I wrong?
We all get on the plane at the same time,we all arrive at the same time,that said the wait to get through immigration is shorter and you get to sit in better departure lounges.
My wife says I'm to mean to fly business but I beg to differ.On a holiday to Thailand with 2 kids in tow the difference in price is the spending money.
We all get on the plane at the same time,we all arrive at the same time,that said the wait to get through immigration is shorter and you get to sit in better departure lounges.
My wife says I'm to mean to fly business but I beg to differ.On a holiday to Thailand with 2 kids in tow the difference in price is the spending money.
All down to how well you can afford it. If you can, business class is worth it. First class is not. It's great, but not worth the extra cost, unless you're rich enough to be flying by private jet anyway.
ETA: warning - if you do it once your wife will never allow you to fly cattle class long-haul again.
ETA: warning - if you do it once your wife will never allow you to fly cattle class long-haul again.
Edited by Zod on Wednesday 8th December 17:14
Business class is a watse of money. I flew to New Zealand a few months ago with Singapore Airlines. Economy class was £930 and was superb, great food and drinks and plenty of room. Business Class was £4500, more room and some better food but forann extra £3570?? I'd pay another 50% which would be a total of £1395 but even that is a lot of cash. For £4500 you still in a "dormatory" with around 50 other strangers and sharing toilets.
I kept the £3500 in my pocket, so effectively I had a choice of flying in economy class plus getting for free 2 superb ski holidays and a huge flat screen TV, all for one trip on a plane :-)
A few years ago I used to fly long haul for a long term client of ours. I did this for 2 years flying 8 times a year. They were paying for business class flights and we agreed to invoice an agreed amount for these, around £4000. I did this for a couple of years and the money I saved by flying economy bought me my 911 turbo.
Again, take 16 flights and get a free 911 Turbo :-)
Nuff said.
I kept the £3500 in my pocket, so effectively I had a choice of flying in economy class plus getting for free 2 superb ski holidays and a huge flat screen TV, all for one trip on a plane :-)
A few years ago I used to fly long haul for a long term client of ours. I did this for 2 years flying 8 times a year. They were paying for business class flights and we agreed to invoice an agreed amount for these, around £4000. I did this for a couple of years and the money I saved by flying economy bought me my 911 turbo.
Again, take 16 flights and get a free 911 Turbo :-)
Nuff said.
smifffymoto said:
That is my worry,never being able to "go back".
'Tis true I fear - we splashed out for business on Jet Airways to India last March. Now have trips to Thailand and India (again) booked - again business class. I'd struggle to justify an extra 4.5K but these are an extra £1.5K each (Emirates to Kolkatta and Thai Air to Bangkok). Worth every penny for the abilty to sleep and arrive refreshed!!
Broomsticklady said:
Worth every penny for the abilty to sleep and arrive refreshed!!
Why not just book a couple more nights on your holiday to be able to rest and relax and adjust to the time difference? No way can i justify paying 2-4 times the price.Also we'd rather have another holiday or 2 in the year than be ever so slightly more comfy for 10 - 20 hours.
Edited by andyjo1982 on Wednesday 8th December 18:45
Its the same as do you stay in the travel lodge, Hilton or four seasons. they all give you a bed and a loo. Is it worth it is down to your personal situation so there is no correct answer. for 99% of us there is always something better we can't justify
Edited by ViperDave on Wednesday 8th December 18:57
From a business perspective, a good way to look at this is consider the hourly cost and level of productivity.
Remember that business and first affords a better check-in and lounge facility (in theory), you have to consider the ability to work and stay productive for longer.
For example, a long haul to say, Singapore in cattle will generally wipe two days off your working capabilities either end of your trip; a day of travelling and a day of recovering. That will mean an extra night, maybe two, in a hotel and day at home when you get back or day in the office when you're no use to anyone.
Business upwards can reduce the effect of travelling and prolong the ability to work. Weigh this up against the premium, it can sometimes be very justifiable.
Flew back from Abu Dhabi last year with a colleague. Both booked into cattle on BA but I got bumped to business at the gate. Arrived at Heathrow around 6.00am - me fresh as a daisy, my colleague not. I was in office by 10.30 and did a full day. Didn't see colleague until midday the next day.
Remember that business and first affords a better check-in and lounge facility (in theory), you have to consider the ability to work and stay productive for longer.
For example, a long haul to say, Singapore in cattle will generally wipe two days off your working capabilities either end of your trip; a day of travelling and a day of recovering. That will mean an extra night, maybe two, in a hotel and day at home when you get back or day in the office when you're no use to anyone.
Business upwards can reduce the effect of travelling and prolong the ability to work. Weigh this up against the premium, it can sometimes be very justifiable.
Flew back from Abu Dhabi last year with a colleague. Both booked into cattle on BA but I got bumped to business at the gate. Arrived at Heathrow around 6.00am - me fresh as a daisy, my colleague not. I was in office by 10.30 and did a full day. Didn't see colleague until midday the next day.
How many people actually pay for it though?
A couple of people I know travel a lot, normally with economy tickets, and they both get upgraded all the time. One of them works for a Government department and he's never flown in economy - he even got the people they use to book his honeymoon flights and he and his wife got upgraded both ways.
I went to US recently and paid $100 per leg with United for what are basically extra legroom seats in a cabin at the front of Economy and I thought that was well worth it. The American's thought it was hilarious as they get put into those seats free by virtue of their mileage club memberships.
A couple of people I know travel a lot, normally with economy tickets, and they both get upgraded all the time. One of them works for a Government department and he's never flown in economy - he even got the people they use to book his honeymoon flights and he and his wife got upgraded both ways.
I went to US recently and paid $100 per leg with United for what are basically extra legroom seats in a cabin at the front of Economy and I thought that was well worth it. The American's thought it was hilarious as they get put into those seats free by virtue of their mileage club memberships.
My wallet is firmley staying closed I think. I like the thought of more holidays,skiing holidays are out as I live 15 minutes from a ski station,Summer I'm working flat out looking after everybody else on holiday.
The travel lodge analogy struck a cord as we are staying in a Premier inn over at Gatwick before we fly to Florida for Christmas.
The travel lodge analogy struck a cord as we are staying in a Premier inn over at Gatwick before we fly to Florida for Christmas.
StevieBee said:
From a business perspective, a good way to look at this is consider the hourly cost and level of productivity.
I can relate to that. How many of those who always travel Business Class on business also travel Business Class when they are on holiday & paying for it themselves. I'd suggest less than a third.
Silver993tt said:
Business class is a watse of money. .
From you, that's not entirely surprising. In fact it's almost surprising that you don't say "Porsche - what a waste of money! You could buy six Focuses for that money, so why not buy one focus and spend the rest on [what?].Life's for enjoying. If you have the money and will have the money to pay for your house and fund your retirement, then spend it on yourself and those you love and/or give it to charity.
Mermaid said:
StevieBee said:
From a business perspective, a good way to look at this is consider the hourly cost and level of productivity.
I can relate to that. How many of those who always travel Business Class on business also travel Business Class when they are on holiday & paying for it themselves. I'd suggest less than a third.
StevieBee said:
From a business perspective, a good way to look at this is consider the hourly cost and level of productivity.
Remember that business and first affords a better check-in and lounge facility (in theory), you have to consider the ability to work and stay productive for longer.
Well, there's no point in turning up at the airport more than an hour before any flight. On-line checkin and fast bag drop off sees to that. That leaves time for a couple of coffees and then boarding. Not turining up too early to the airport also allows you to get in more work either at the office or at home.Remember that business and first affords a better check-in and lounge facility (in theory), you have to consider the ability to work and stay productive for longer.
StevieBee said:
For example, a long haul to say, Singapore in cattle will generally wipe two days off your working capabilities either end of your trip; a day of travelling and a day of recovering. That will mean an extra night, maybe two, in a hotel and day at home when you get back or day in the office when you're no use to anyone.
I don't agree with that. I often used to travel on business to the far east including Singapore, one night sleep on the day of arrival and no problem the next morning. It's not exactly as if you've been doing a marathon on the way over, simply sitting in a seat, watching some movies, eating, drinking, having a chat etc. When i flew to NZ this year, I arrived at 11am on a Friday and was in the clients office by 2pm. Introduced to some of the people there, familiarised myself and was up and running on Monday, fuss over nothing.
From a business perspective we've actually won a couple of contracts because we were prepared to accept economy class travel compared to others who were bidding. When that involves 8-10 people over a 2 year period travelling 8-10 times a year each it makes a large difference in costs. I couldn't beleive the other companies not budging on th money.
Zod said:
Silver993tt said:
Business class is a watse of money. .
From you, that's not entirely surprising. In fact it's almost surprising that you don't say "Porsche - what a waste of money! You could buy six Focuses for that money, so why not buy one focus and spend the rest on [what?].Life's for enjoying. If you have the money and will have the money to pay for your house and fund your retirement, then spend it on yourself and those you love and/or give it to charity.
Edited by Silver993tt on Wednesday 8th December 20:14
Silver993tt said:
Zod said:
Silver993tt said:
Business class is a watse of money. .
From you, that's not entirely surprising. In fact it's almost surprising that you don't say "Porsche - what a waste of money! You could buy six Focuses for that money, so why not buy one focus and spend the rest on [what?].Life's for enjoying. If you have the money and will have the money to pay for your house and fund your retirement, then spend it on yourself and those you love and/or give it to charity.
Edited by Silver993tt on Wednesday 8th December 20:14
The reality is that if flying business class means you can't afford other things you want, then you have to choose. If you can afford both business class and the other things you want, then fly business class if it enhances your holiday.
Great question, which I'd like to expand slightly to train fares. When I was a kid first/business class simply wasn't discussed and we went everywhere economy/standard class and I felt very lucky just to be travelling and going on holiday.
Now that I'm earning a good wage I can afford business class but some of the price differences are shocking. For instance, if I needed to go to London tomorrow on the train which I sometimes do, the national rail site is showing a price of £87 for a standard return but £345 for a first class return. It gets worse if I think about taking the family, a wife and 2 kids. Total cost £1,340 as opposed to £348, a difference of about a grand! For one trip!
So while I'm travelling by myself for work, I can just about justify the cost and the benefits of arriving fresh and de-stressed. But factoring in a family for holiday travel and it's a different story. I don't think I'd be able to afford it.
But as others said, once you get used to the benefits of business class (and first on the trains) you'll find it hard to go back. First class on the train is a pleasure. I've always found it easy to get a seat and very quiet. Standard class can be a nightmare and on some journeys you've no option but to stand if you haven't booked a seat in advance. Likewise business class on the planes, it turns from something to be endured to something you can actually enjoy.
Now that I'm earning a good wage I can afford business class but some of the price differences are shocking. For instance, if I needed to go to London tomorrow on the train which I sometimes do, the national rail site is showing a price of £87 for a standard return but £345 for a first class return. It gets worse if I think about taking the family, a wife and 2 kids. Total cost £1,340 as opposed to £348, a difference of about a grand! For one trip!
So while I'm travelling by myself for work, I can just about justify the cost and the benefits of arriving fresh and de-stressed. But factoring in a family for holiday travel and it's a different story. I don't think I'd be able to afford it.
But as others said, once you get used to the benefits of business class (and first on the trains) you'll find it hard to go back. First class on the train is a pleasure. I've always found it easy to get a seat and very quiet. Standard class can be a nightmare and on some journeys you've no option but to stand if you haven't booked a seat in advance. Likewise business class on the planes, it turns from something to be endured to something you can actually enjoy.
Edited by ATV on Wednesday 8th December 21:04
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