First class or Business?
 

First class generally requires more points in redemption programs, I gather, but is it worth it? I'm told the seats in First are much more comfortable, espec in trans-Atlantic trips. Is that the case with Lufthansa? My wife and I are both 6 feet tall. Thanks.

Yes, the seats are very different. On Lufthansa, which does not have the best 1st class seats, the F seat is wide, is fully flat, and extends to > 6 feet. The business class seat is narrower and is the angled-flat seat.

However, some of the biggest advantages of 1st class on a good airline like Lufthansa have nothing to do with the seat. When departing from Frankfurt or Munich, you have a eparate and superb lounge exclusively for F passengers (and ultra-elites). You can shower there, get a terrific meal, and relax before the flight. Best of all, for long-haul flights to the US (and elsewhere), you will go through security at the lounge (no waiting in line), and you will be driven to the airplane in private car. On the plane, you can choose to have meals at whatever time suits you. I'll typically have a meal at the lounge an hour or so before the flight, then I'll have my in-flight meal 6 or 7 hours later.

Each airline offers different services & perks. In general, the Asian carriers have the best 1st class (which doesn't help you going from Fla to Europe). Lufthansa and SWISS have excellent F products. BA is a bit behind those two, and I haven't traveled on Air France for years and can't comment on them. Virgin does not offer F, and off the top I can't think of other Euro carriers who offer F.

The price premium is never worth it for cash purchases, IMO, but for redemptions, I think it can be a nice upgrade, particularly if the carrier is like Lufthansa, and doesn't offer flat beds in biz. On BA, though, I would probably save the miles because the business class seat is quite good. With Swiss, it would depend. If on an older configuration, then I would do it. On the newer one, I don't know - the biz seat is flat, but the first seat looks very, very nice.

Thank you very much for the excellent, detailed and fast advice. This is a great Forum and easy to access, unlike so many others. Happy travels!

wish I was in a program where we could get upgrade with points... in Australia our programs are no good.. and to pay for premium cabin as I have is super expensive, especially when you have to pay for 2. However, I will be glad I have spent the money after 24 plus hours flying time!!

I live in Australia and we have frequently used Qantas points to upgrade to business on long haul flights.
It is well worthwhile.