Business class - worth the points?

[coco50]

My wife and I are what you could call senior citizens. We deliberately book business class rather than sit in economy because being older we need the extra space to be comfortable especially on long hauls such as SYD - LAX. When we travel overseas we make sure that we can claim the cost of the flight on tax so the rest of you are helping us out. I remember the last time I flew economy on a QF flight from HNL - SYD behind quite large Samoans who, once the AC had reached cruising height reclined their seats and we had 9 hours of being squashed in our seats. No more! we also register for upgrades to first.

 

[PaulL]

Business Class is definitely worth it. My wife flew long haul to London and back and said she would never fly economy again

 

[IrishPete]

If fly economy with Etihad (as they fly to Dublin).

I've never paid for a Business Class fare, but when I can I upgrade with points, or upgrade through the auction system and at check-in.

Once I then received an operational upgrade to First Class.

The difference in $ cost of a Business Class fare compared to economy is probably a factor of 4. Very hard to justify that, but with a mixture of points upgrades, and tolerating economy on the shorter leg, it becomes tolerable.

The difference in points for a redemption ticket (not an upgrade) depends on the airline, but I think with Etihad is a factor of about 2. Compared to the $ cost that's an absolute bargain, but I'll likely never have the points to be in a position to do it (and have not done so). I maybe could if I collected credit cards, but my credit rating wouldn't support that - asset well-off, income not so well-off, and the credit ratings like income more than assets. My Amex credit limit is $2000 and they won't increase it!

The J experience is incomparable to Y on Etihad. The inflight entertainment is the same (apart from the screen size), but everything else is different. More room, easier to move around, excellent food, including "on demand" rather than at fixed time. Sleep is not only possible but easy (though not comparable with sleep in a bed). No queueing for the toilet. Doing a "mixed class" trip means sometimes missing out on extras like lounges and priorities - transiting through Abu Dhabi, being able to have a shower and change into clean clothes on a clean body, makes an enormous difference to the trip. In J I can even travel in decent clothes (looking for that operational upgrade!) but change into comfortable clothes (trackies etc) on the plane. That's possible without being in J, but harder. Priority boarding and baggage collection is a curate's egg. I prefer late boarding to priority boarding, especially because Etihad don't turn on the IFE until in the air, so there's no much to do but drink champagne if you board early - priority at security and immigration queues can make a big difference to the journey experience, when it's available.

Arriving relatively refreshed (at both ends) can also maximise use of your time.

Deep Vein Thrombosis is contributed to by many things - I probably sit still more in J than Y, because I'm comfortable in my seat, and always try to have an aisle seat in Y so I can get up and move around easily. But if DVT is more common in J, I suspect that it's more to do with the age profile of the people flying in J, i.e. pre-existing risk factors.

So in summary, if I had the points to do it I would definitely J. When it's a cash ticket, I'd go for Y and try to upgrade key parts of the journey.

 

[IrishPete]

How about the intermediate class? We flew Cathay Pacific Prem Econ MEL to LHR and were happy. I later flew Bus Class on Jetstar MEL- Bangkok (not paid by me) and noted that the seats were identical to the Cathay Pacific prem econ.

Jetstar is a budget airline, so not really comparable.

 

[dlam]

As an unattached, childless, early-thirty-something I can absolutely justify J class when flying for work.

I'm a freelance musician so orchestras always stump up at least economy but sometimes Y+ or J; even if only full fare Y is covered I'm happy to stump up the remainder of the cost to sit in J. Not only do I get a good amount of work done on the plane but I'm much more likely to be refreshed and clear headed to begin work.

Of course it is a different value if you're partnered and probably wouldn't be something I'd indulge in as regular, certainly not for leisure travel. Though I was glad of J on a recent long delay in Dubai; as unpleasant as it was I still had lounge (and shower) access and as soon as I boarded my very dealeyed onward flight I could recline and pass out. Couldn't have done that in Y.

 

[Deleted member]

clearly the overriding factor here is : Value is what someone is prepared to pay in cash / points or a combination of the two.
frankly I am firmly in the camp that quality flying is way better than frequency (due to cost concerns) flying . that said, if you can afford to fly premium cabin and often, then good luck to you.
I believe that like many, if not most things in life, the bitter taste of disappointment lingers long after the sweet taste of low price fades.

 

[farmboy]

I save all my points for the SYD - LAX route. (21 return trips so far) The flat bed means the difference between enduring jet lag for days, versus hit the ground running. Its an amazing difference.

But there are other advantages. I checked in once at an internal US airport to be told that there would be a charge of $50 for my (economy) bags to get to LAX. I allowed that I was flying Virgin business from LAX to Sydney. "Just a minute..", the lady checked with her supervisor. Her exact and only words to me upon her return to the desk were; "Have a nice day..."

 

[bfm]

Like you, I haven't flown business class as the premium is too hefty an ask.

Others suggest it's a choice between cattle and .., but, in part, I'd disagree.

I tend to look to book on aircraft I know offer me reasonable sleeping options; eg. upstairs on a 2 seat configuration layout on the A380. Or, a Premium Economy where it's a 2 seat layout and less than a +50% premium (eg. many Air NZ).

And, there's 'daddy's little helper' (ie. Temazepan) as a support item.

Cheers

 

[coco50]

Business Class is definitely worth it. My wife flew long haul to London and back and said she would never fly economy again

It would be a very brave man indeed to park his wife in economy on a long haul after she had said about economy: "Never again". Look after your princess, Paul!

 

[cove]

As you get older you start thinking Perth-Melbourne or Sydney is long haul. If you have the points or miles there is no reason not to use them. Someone has to use the 28 business class seats on a QF A330.....no need to let them go unused.

 

[leadman]

After working in the backblocks of Asia and other countries for weeks there is nothing better than J back home. Some of my clients will only stump up Y so I often make the rest up to J. Its my first "relaxation point" away from the madding crowds.......

 

[adrenaln]

I'll report back in February after I complete my first SYD-LAX return in J on VA, I think travelling in business may be a harder addiction to shake than an ice habit....

 

[ChrisDPom]

I don't think it's worth it unless you have an unlimited supply of points. I'm comfortable travelling econoky. My goal is to travel as often as possible and that means travelling economy most times. Occassionally I treat myself to business class.

Originally Posted by cove You need to know that once you go long haul in business class there will be no going back.

Wrong....

Totally agree John (and hello from Bali). I retired April 2015 and have just clocked up 300,000kms since retirement merrily hitting my bucket list.


Every flight bar one has been booked economy (though I cheat like John being Gold so get the lounge access, extra luggage, fast track at Dubai security (heaven sent sometimes there)).

So far used points for upgrades a few times but I am happy sitting in the right seats in Y for extra legroom and easy access out of the seats.


With Qantas it costs me $90 a flight leg. With Emirates/ Malaysian/ Cathay, I just get to the airport 3 hours before the flight and grovel for the seats (195cm & 2 DVTs).


One good use of points on long haul is peak period purchases. As mentioned, Qantas "taxes" make long haul points use hardly worth it normally. But if can book peak period points, then the $ dollar cost can triple, so you actually get better value.


The one booked J was with points as the time I wanted, the $ cost was high, the Y & PE points seats had gone and the only points seat left was J.


Something else to think on. Purchases from the Qantas UK website are usually a lot cheaper than the Oz one. I fly to Europe often enough that I can book the start of a return flight from Europe (London or a main airport serviced by Emirates). With the weak pound, my savings are usually 40% on the equivalent Oz website flights outside of sales offers.

These savings apply to Y, PE, J & F.

 

[flybynight]

If I'm travelling for business (mine) I usually go Y and spend an extra day in a super luxury hotel when I arrive to recover. Far better value than J. I have used 4 RTW and 6 USA in F all on points when having vacations and when I really have the time and inclination to indulge.
The killer for me is crossing multiple time zones but it doesn't bother me sitting in Y especially on newer aircraft, many of which seem to have a little bit more room ( I'm 190cm).

 

[Jmrocky]

When travelling self funded (i.e. not with work), it's Y for me. I have gotten a couple of op-ups to J over the years but they are very few and far between these days, especially with a family of 4 when flying and lack of decent status.

I can never get enough of travelling, and for me personally I would rather go more often or sink the saved costs into activities at my destination. I'm early thirties though, and still do things like kicking off at 6am for a stopoverless ROK-BNE-SYD-LHR-ORY and doing an afternoon of sightseeing in Paris with dinner. Granted we all sleep well that night but it's not like I'm flat on my back immobile from exhaustion. Plus there's always more material for laughs (always after the experience) in Y, like the time I was having a crack at some mini golf on IFE, leant forward to check my putt at the exact moment the gent in front of me thought it was time to check the limit of his seat recline.

Having said that, it's a personal decision and everyone is different. If you have the points and are willing give it a go, then you will find out if ultimately it's worth it

 

[squeeze72]

As most have said, it's what it's worth to YOU but once you go J it's very hard to go back to Y.

I had a surprise gate upgrade at AUH to HKK after doing the first 7.5 hr hop from MAN in Y. Well, what a boost! Those 7.5 hours were wonderful and I arrived feeling so refreshed. BUT this gave me the bug and as I don't travel for work my points are all from flying previously with Etihad back to the motherland for elderly parents and a recent Coles Flybuys convert.

The next time I flew from MEL to LHR I wasn't looking forward to the almost 30 hours (door to door) of travel and decided that I'd just do the Aus <-> Abu Dhabi legs 14+ hours in Business as a reward so I 'bid for an upgrade' through their auction system and was successful at the 'price it was worth to me'. Having Lounge access to decent meals and relax at the beginning of my journey, showers part-way through the journey and the onboard lie-flat bed, cooked to order dine anytime meals and snacks was amazing and so worth it but going back to downstairs for the packed economy flight for the relatively short hop AUH to LHR of the journey made me want the next step.

I decided I'd be using my points for the next flight as I've always been pretty good at getting cheap economy flights so just using them for an upgrade would be worth it. As an Etihad silver frequent flyer and a follower of forums and error flight websites I got return MEL - MAN in March 2017 for just over $5k in Business the whole way and it wasn't the cheapest class Business. What I haven't seen mentioned so far on your response to this question is the difference (and I realise it's a preference) in airlines business product. Etihad (and Emirates) provide chauffeur limos at all ends of your journey (t&c's) so that's 4 trips to and from the airport in comfort straight to check-in. No taxis/relatives having to get up and fight through traffic/long-term parking to think of.

The other thing which may not be important if it's for a holiday but if taking an extra case of Tim Tams etc overseas and having room for Monster Munch and European fashion on the way back floats your boat this is another consideration.

Glad I've tried it but I'll be doing everything possible to avoiding Y class on journey's 7.5+ hours to feel refreshed and actually look forward to the journey itself!

My husband is hoping I don't get a free upgrade to F - but that would be a whole new topic.

In short - weigh it up and decide if it's worth it to you.

 

[JohnK]

clearly the overriding factor here is : Value is what someone is prepared to pay in cash / points or a combination of the two.
frankly I am firmly in the camp that quality flying is way better than frequency (due to cost concerns) flying .

Yes we are all different.

I don't want to go to Thailand twice a year for say 4 weeks at a time. Firstly that's too long to spend in one go and secondly it is too long between trips.

My preference is 4 x 2 week trips or even 5 x 10-11 day trips where I don't have to wait too long for next trip. I need to spend as little as possible to maximise my trips.

I do get a quality trip. I play some golf and relax and ready to return to office.

 

[ramboflyer]

Having said that, it's a personal decision and everyone is different. If you have the points and are willing give it a go, then you will find out if ultimately it's worth it

So true. We are now retired and had our first overseas trip in 2015. We did one leg in Y (MEL-LAX), one in PE (LHR-JNB) and two in J (BOS-ROM & JNB-SYD). The flight from JNB to SYD was unorgettable for the comfort, service, food and drinks on Qantas. Not to mention priority boarding and lounges. In August we head off to Italy Greece and New York and I was lucky enough to get a oneworld award booking in J for 280,000 points. No Qantas involved but it beats cattle class by the length of the Flemington straight!

I'm one of those that accumulate bulk points through credit cards and already half way to another award booking in J for 2 in 2019. No way that we want to go back to Y on long haul but the only way we can afford J as SF retirees is using points.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How about the intermediate class? We flew Cathay Pacific Prem Econ MEL to LHR and were happy. I later flew Bus Class on Jetstar MEL- Bangkok (not paid by me) and noted that the seats were identical to the Cathay Pacific prem econ.

There are very few flights that I can think of where premium economy represents 'value'. On flights from Australia to Asia the usual premium economy fare is in the $1300-$1600 range. For $1500 you can fly business return using purchased miles with full flat beds.

To Europe, where premium economy is often $3000++, you can either: (a) get a mixed class with economy to Asia and business class with full flats on the long haul for the same price (or less). Plus all the other advantages such as lounges. Yes it's two separate purchased tickets vs one 'through flight'. But at you get to sleep full flat for 14 or so hours; or (b) for just under $4000 have a miles ticket with through connections.

 

[IrishPete]

My husband is hoping I don't get a free upgrade to F - but that would be a whole new topic.

In short - weigh it up and decide if it's worth it to you.

Very similar to my own experiences, though the downgrading of Silver benefits this year will put a dampener on things.

I got an operational upgrade to First once (Abu Dhabi to Perth), and I actually didn't like it. Initially unpleasantly fawning, the service actually disappeared and I couldn't even get a new bottle of water. It was so quiet (and open) I could hear other passengers conversations in full from the other side of the plane. I would probably take it for free again, but wouldn't spend any any of my money or points on it again.

If you don't have one, could be worth getting an Amex card to boost your points. I get most of mine through it (other than the flights with Etihad). You can probably get a BIG joining bonus. If there are referral bonuses (I haven't checked) I'd be happy to oblige!