I've flown a reasonable amount in both Y and J. J is definitely the way to fly, if you have the points or cash. Not just because it's comfortable or luxurious, but because Y is such a literal pain in the bum longhaul. I arrive tired, uncomfortable, unsatisfied with the food and drink. Lounge access makes up a little bit.
A couple of times I've had the 280K needed for a RTW J award trip, but both times I went for two RTW Y tickets. I took my daughter and son on a RTW trip, their choice of destinations, and had a tonne of fun each time. Being WP and having access to the good lounges helped a little - we ate and drank far too much and generally hopped onto our onwards flights nicely pickled.
Besides, trying to string together an itinerary in Y is a lot easier than hunting down J seats.
Y+ is more like it. Not so many perks, but a seat that isn't torture.
J gives you a comfortable experience, a good chance at decent sleep, food that is usually interesting and enjoyable, drink that isn't base grade, and room to move around. Generally there is aisle access even from window seats, and the loo queues not too long. And lounge access.
F is more than I honestly need. I've flown longhaul F once and it was great. Something to treat the missus for a special holiday maybe, or if you have more points than you know what to do with. The lounges are superb and the whole trip becomes an indulgence.
But J is the way to make long distance travel enjoyable.
DVT seems to strike regardless of cabin. Maybe because up the front one drinks more alcohol than water. There have been some epic tales of premium travellers going through bottle after bottle, and I had one FA on CX HKG-LHR tell me to drink up, sir, we can call ahead for a wheelchair!
My preference for travel is a oneworld Explorer ticket in business. Costs $7K-$14K depending on start point, and is great value for money over regular fares. Called a DONE4 around here, and I've done four of them, all as a solo traveller. If done right, it will get you a pile of points and status credits. Generally enough to make platinum. Do it at the right time, that's high status for the best part of two years with a soft landing to gold for another year.
Y is okay if you want to travel on the cheap. If you are young and travel is the adventure, then whY not?
J is a LOT better than Y. It's comfortable, you'll get more luggage, bypass a lot of the queues, skip over many of the little embuggerances of modern travel.
F is good for occasional, special rides. For what you pay, it's really not that great a value. The big leap is from Y to J. From J to F, not so much.
