British Airways: Business vs. Premium Economy... thoughts?
Nov 15th, 2012, 12:05 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
British Airways: Business vs. Premium Economy... thoughts?
yes, of course, Business (ie. Club World)!
But, at what cost?
We are flying from PHL - LHR next spring. Using miles (transferred from other sources - happy to use them) to go, but we have to pay taxes and fuel surcharges. Right now, there is a bonus if you using Avios - flights are 25% less (points, not $).
We had planned on booking PE (ie. World Traveller Plus), but with the incentive, are considering booking Business. Will spend about 100K more in miles (somewhat immaterial, since I believe miles are getting harder and harder to use), and about $1,350 more in cost (we are a family of 5, so things add up quickly).
Is that a slam dunk? It IS a relatively short flight, but we try to "go" on day 1, so more sleep would be a good thing... Also, on the way back, we are connecting through Heathrow, so we would use the lounge when we connect. Also, has anyone used the lounges at T5? It would be nice, upon arrival, to go and shower and clean up - or at least the thought of that sounds appealing.
thoughts? I know... go for it. But you aren't paying. But you only live once. Right?
But, at what cost?
We are flying from PHL - LHR next spring. Using miles (transferred from other sources - happy to use them) to go, but we have to pay taxes and fuel surcharges. Right now, there is a bonus if you using Avios - flights are 25% less (points, not $).
We had planned on booking PE (ie. World Traveller Plus), but with the incentive, are considering booking Business. Will spend about 100K more in miles (somewhat immaterial, since I believe miles are getting harder and harder to use), and about $1,350 more in cost (we are a family of 5, so things add up quickly).
Is that a slam dunk? It IS a relatively short flight, but we try to "go" on day 1, so more sleep would be a good thing... Also, on the way back, we are connecting through Heathrow, so we would use the lounge when we connect. Also, has anyone used the lounges at T5? It would be nice, upon arrival, to go and shower and clean up - or at least the thought of that sounds appealing.
thoughts? I know... go for it. But you aren't paying. But you only live once. Right?
Nov 15th, 2012, 03:53 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nope, I'm not paying; you're right there. But when I fly with BA, I do pay - usually purchasing WT+ tickets and upgrading with points.
And you're also correct that, at about 7 hours for the outbound flight, it is a short flight.
However, you can maximize your sleep time by selecting a flight which offers Sleeper Service - you can have a meal in the lounge before departure. After take-off you can settle in and sleep most of the way to London. You also have the option of asking for dessert, a snack or a night-cap after take-off. And if you want, you can sleep through breakfast and enjoy a shower and breakfast in the lounge.
But yes, for me it's a slam dunk, as you say.
I always sleep well in Club. BA uses 747s to service the routes I usually fly (SEA-LHR,LHR-BKK,LHR-HKG), and the upper deck offers great privacy and ideal conditions for sleeping, especially window seats 62A&K and 64A&K. You might check which aircraft BA uses to service PHL-LHR and check it out on seatguru.com or seatexpert.com
Lounges in T5 are very nice. Food, drink and showers (individual shower rooms equipped with hairdryers and toiletries) are available throughout the day. You can also enjoy complimentary treatments at the Elemis spa.
We disagree about relative difficulty in using Avios for award travel. With a little flexibility, I have great luck and love the program.
My reward travel in 2012: Club World to Venice in February for Carnivale with my husband; First to Naples and Sicily in April with my husband using Chase 2-4-1 voucher; Club outbound and First inbound to London and Bangkok in September; and next January First Class to London and Hong Kong with my sister using Chase 2-4-1 voucher.
And you're also correct that, at about 7 hours for the outbound flight, it is a short flight.
However, you can maximize your sleep time by selecting a flight which offers Sleeper Service - you can have a meal in the lounge before departure. After take-off you can settle in and sleep most of the way to London. You also have the option of asking for dessert, a snack or a night-cap after take-off. And if you want, you can sleep through breakfast and enjoy a shower and breakfast in the lounge.
But yes, for me it's a slam dunk, as you say.
I always sleep well in Club. BA uses 747s to service the routes I usually fly (SEA-LHR,LHR-BKK,LHR-HKG), and the upper deck offers great privacy and ideal conditions for sleeping, especially window seats 62A&K and 64A&K. You might check which aircraft BA uses to service PHL-LHR and check it out on seatguru.com or seatexpert.com
Lounges in T5 are very nice. Food, drink and showers (individual shower rooms equipped with hairdryers and toiletries) are available throughout the day. You can also enjoy complimentary treatments at the Elemis spa.
We disagree about relative difficulty in using Avios for award travel. With a little flexibility, I have great luck and love the program.
My reward travel in 2012: Club World to Venice in February for Carnivale with my husband; First to Naples and Sicily in April with my husband using Chase 2-4-1 voucher; Club outbound and First inbound to London and Bangkok in September; and next January First Class to London and Hong Kong with my sister using Chase 2-4-1 voucher.
Nov 20th, 2012, 01:44 AM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Years ago I looked at going Premium Economy to save money however their policy was that if a plane change was required I would be downgraded to economy with NO refund.
I wasn't going to take the chance so went business but with another airline as I was so annoyed about it
I wasn't going to take the chance so went business but with another airline as I was so annoyed about it
Nov 20th, 2012, 06:25 AM
#5
I hate the "worth it" questions - people are just too different. However, I don't mind the "if it were me" questions at all.
So IIWM, I'd pop for the Club seats, <i>especially</i> on the return, where headwinds add an hour to transatlantic westbound flights compared to eastbound. Also, the westbound flights are in daytime, so you'll have more time to enjoy the amenities (rather than sleeping through them.)
In addition, the lounges at T5 are superb, so that only adds to your comfort on a long day (if you're connecting at LHR from elsewhere.)
So I'd say go for it, but be prepared to be spoiled.
So IIWM, I'd pop for the Club seats, <i>especially</i> on the return, where headwinds add an hour to transatlantic westbound flights compared to eastbound. Also, the westbound flights are in daytime, so you'll have more time to enjoy the amenities (rather than sleeping through them.)
In addition, the lounges at T5 are superb, so that only adds to your comfort on a long day (if you're connecting at LHR from elsewhere.)
So I'd say go for it, but be prepared to be spoiled.
Nov 20th, 2012, 09:28 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm only 5'2 and 115# and I still love those BA Club World seats. Thanks to Julia1 we now are able to accumulate miles and will be making our 4th Club World trip next year. And Gardyloo is right, you'll be spoiled. Now we want to fly that way all the time (but can only afford the one trip a year).
Yes, the award seats are not free, but $1350 is not bad for 5 seats. We took our daughters in 2010, so had 4 Club world seats, and I think it was $400 extra per RT ticket. It was "worth it" just to see the look on their faces when they realized we would be fliing businiess class.
Yes, the award seats are not free, but $1350 is not bad for 5 seats. We took our daughters in 2010, so had 4 Club world seats, and I think it was $400 extra per RT ticket. It was "worth it" just to see the look on their faces when they realized we would be fliing businiess class.
Nov 20th, 2012, 12:03 PM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Enzian. I remember when you were looking to fly to Italy a few years ago in Club World with your daughters. Happy to hear it's working out well for you! As you say, flying long-haul in flat-bed business class spoils you !
Nov 20th, 2012, 01:35 PM
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd go with Club World. Unlike Gardyloo, if I could only choose one way, it would be Eastbound. The benefit to Club World is the flat bed. The service is mediocre, and the food is often downright bad, so I would take the sleep over "enjoying the service" every time. The only caveat is that the lounge at LHR is nice, so being able to use it might be nice. That being said, a long lunch at one of the restaurants in T5 is not a bad fallback option, with better food.
Nov 22nd, 2012, 12:58 PM
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
back for an update (I hate when you never hear what happened!).
@julia - I looked at the sleeper service, but unfortunately, it leaves at 11pm, which is just too late. It certainly sounds like an awesome plan.
As to the difficulty of using miles - not Avois related, just a general observation that every time a change happens (it seems), it makes it more difficult to use miles, more expensive (pay taxes or conversion fees), etc. While it would be ideal to save them for a big trip, I'm always afraid by the time the big trip happens, the rules have changed and it isn't possible.
@gardyloo, funny comments about the 'worth it?' vs. "what would you do?" Clearly, "worth it?" relates to that value proposition and we are all at different points in life. interesting thoughts about eastbound vs. westbound.
@cold, Mr. Surf is tall, I am not, and kids are my height (although she thinks she is taller than I am and I refuse to concede) and shorter. The big problem is that the surfkid that is my height doesn't sleep well on planes and mentally is prepared to be miserable, no matter now much we try to explain that it is a state of mind.
@enzian, @amercan... yes, the surfkids (and parents) will have that look of "we've never been HERE before!"
@travelgourmet, the flat beds DO look appealing! especially for the difficult ones in the family who refuse to accept that it is possible to sleep sitting up.
--------
So... I decided to book it!
Originally, we would have spent 322k miles, but with the 25% bonus? We ended up less than our original flights (307k miles). The only cost was the out of pocket extra expense of taxes and fees. And we decided that it would make the experience much more pleasant. The flight gets in early (6:30am I think), but we will plan on taking advantage of the T5 lounge. THe idea of showering and changing clothes means that I will be much happier powering my way through the day.
So.. sometimes... procrastinating DOES pay!
thanks all
@julia - I looked at the sleeper service, but unfortunately, it leaves at 11pm, which is just too late. It certainly sounds like an awesome plan.
As to the difficulty of using miles - not Avois related, just a general observation that every time a change happens (it seems), it makes it more difficult to use miles, more expensive (pay taxes or conversion fees), etc. While it would be ideal to save them for a big trip, I'm always afraid by the time the big trip happens, the rules have changed and it isn't possible.
@gardyloo, funny comments about the 'worth it?' vs. "what would you do?" Clearly, "worth it?" relates to that value proposition and we are all at different points in life. interesting thoughts about eastbound vs. westbound.
@cold, Mr. Surf is tall, I am not, and kids are my height (although she thinks she is taller than I am and I refuse to concede) and shorter. The big problem is that the surfkid that is my height doesn't sleep well on planes and mentally is prepared to be miserable, no matter now much we try to explain that it is a state of mind.
@enzian, @amercan... yes, the surfkids (and parents) will have that look of "we've never been HERE before!"
@travelgourmet, the flat beds DO look appealing! especially for the difficult ones in the family who refuse to accept that it is possible to sleep sitting up.
--------
So... I decided to book it!
Originally, we would have spent 322k miles, but with the 25% bonus? We ended up less than our original flights (307k miles). The only cost was the out of pocket extra expense of taxes and fees. And we decided that it would make the experience much more pleasant. The flight gets in early (6:30am I think), but we will plan on taking advantage of the T5 lounge. THe idea of showering and changing clothes means that I will be much happier powering my way through the day.
So.. sometimes... procrastinating DOES pay!
thanks all
Nov 26th, 2012, 08:16 AM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I spent an hour or two at the T5 BA lounge a couple of weeks ago. I was in economy but DH is EXP with AA so I was allowed in as his guest.
Comments in no particular order..
It was very busy in the lounge and we spent about 10 minutes finding seats near power points to charge laptops and phones.
The food was OK, some items were good but it's hit or miss. (I agree with travelgourmet that a meal in a restaurant at T5 would mean better food)
The wine was excellent!
Wish I wasn't such a lightweight and could drink more than 2 glasses.
Didn't need to take showers as we'd just left our hotel but there was a sign up sheet to 'book' a shower as it was very busy. I think there might have been about a 20 min wait time but I didn't check closely as I was just looking!
surfmom, I hope you enjoy your upgrades; that's a nice way to start/end a trip!
Comments in no particular order..
It was very busy in the lounge and we spent about 10 minutes finding seats near power points to charge laptops and phones.
The food was OK, some items were good but it's hit or miss. (I agree with travelgourmet that a meal in a restaurant at T5 would mean better food)
The wine was excellent!
Wish I wasn't such a lightweight and could drink more than 2 glasses.
Didn't need to take showers as we'd just left our hotel but there was a sign up sheet to 'book' a shower as it was very busy. I think there might have been about a 20 min wait time but I didn't check closely as I was just looking!
surfmom, I hope you enjoy your upgrades; that's a nice way to start/end a trip!
