We are flying USAir from PHL to Venice in about a month. USAir allows a passenger to upgrade 24 hours before flight time to Envoy/First claas if there are seats open...for the fee of $500 p/p. The plane is the old Boeing 767...which I believe have very recently been upgraded..in the Envoy seating...ie almost flat seats etc. Has anyone recently done this upgrade?

Hi O,

Business/1 cl is really just a very, very small hotel room, with a very narrow bed.

Would you spend $1000/night for that kind of hotel room?

But a hotel room that moves you significantly round the world.

Flying, particularly long haul in Cattle Class, is such a gruesome experience that I for one would consider paying this (GBP250) to reduce the misery.

I've flown BA Club Class to Canada/USA and elsewhere (at others' expense admittedly) and would jump at this price.

Having done that route in BC, I would take it.

An upgrade to business for only $500? I would grab it!!!

I will only offer that USAir's product does not have the best reputation. But it is still international business class, and the extra space and service can mean the difference between a sleepless night and arriving (relatively) well-rested. Accordingly, I think we can modify Ira's statement to be something like this:

How much do you spend per day, while in Europe? If you could "save" a day, by being better rested and more alive, then would it be worth $500?

For many, the answer is that it isn't worth it, that they have no trouble sleeping in coach, or that they still can't get enough sleep to "save" a day. Only you can answer those questions. I would offer, though, that I don't find the westbound upgrade (the flight back to the US) as valuable, and wouldn't pay $500 for it.

FWIW, I have paid to upgrade twice: Once to upgrade my wife to biz on BA for a SFO to LHR flight, and another time to upgrade from a packed SAS coach cabin to economy plus for a BKK to CPH flight. I thought it money well-spent both times.

I've paid at the gate (on UA) to upgrade to business class on flights to Europe and Asia. Once to FRA ($599) and once to LHR for about the same, maybe slightly less. Price from ORD to Narita Japan was $749 to upgrade. It's based on miles flown on said trip, I would guess.

If I need sleep, it's worth every penny. If I think I can "manage" in econ+ I won't pay at the gate. Just depends on how prepared I am to withstand the long flight.

It might also depend on how crowded EC is. You can check online before you go to the airport to see the seating chart, which may not be perfect, but gives you some idea.

If you can manage to get an empty row, that may be alright.

I've flown in Envoy on several occasions.

I never had any reason to believe that the service wasn't decent so I honestly cannot talk to the "reputation" assertion.

Full First Class on Singapore Air I can tell you..it isn't..but you aren't paying that kind of money, either, and neither is your employer who passed that cost on to the rest of us.

If you can afford it, go for it although if the plane is only half full in the back you might do be wise to consider those possibilities.

>>Would you spend $1000/night for that kind of hotel room?<<
Depends on what your choices and resources are.
Would I spend it to avoid spending a night in a cramped prison cell that wouldn't meet Geneva Conventions standards -- which is about what you get in coach? Maybe.

At the risk of hijacking this post, here goes:

We sure are spoiled, aren't we? I think about an econcomy tran-Atlantic flight like this:

1. I get a relatively comfortable seat, generally with my wife to my right in a two person row as I book early.

2. I get a state of the art video and audio entertainment system, with more movies and song than I can receive on any device I have in my home.

3. Generally speaking, a very polite flight attendant brings me all of the drinks and food that I need - or want. Right to my seat. And it's free! (Meaning I don't have to sign a credit card slip or leave a tip - I know that I paid for it in the ticket price).

4. Generally speaking, this huge aircraft travels effortlessly across the ocean, with me in relative comfort, and deposits me safely on the ground in my destination city.

5. All I had to do was eat, watch TV, sleep, drink, read, walk about a bit, use the rest room, and get off the plane.

It's a miracle that we can travel like this for what it costs in coach. I promise never to complain about it.

Go for it.

I have traveled in coach, and business/first class. Obviously, bus/1st would be my preference, and for $500.00....I'd go for it. It just depends on your budget. However, last month I flew from IAH to LHR in coach, and most of the back of the plane was empty. I had a row of 3 seats to myself, which allowed me to stretch out and sleep for a few hours. I was refreshed & awake in my afternoon meeting.

But ya gotta love those ice cream sundaes they serve in 1st class.

>I've flown BA Club Class to Canada/USA and elsewhere (at others' expense admittedly) and would jump at this price.<

I would jump at a free upgrade, too.
...............................
TG writes,

>I think we can modify Ira's statement ...<

Oh no you don't. You have to write your own statement.

ira, would I pay $1000 for such a hotel room? If the alternative was spending the night in a Turkish prison, probably would. Would I pay it to avoid being crammed into an upright position in absolute torture for 7 or 8 hours? You betcha.

For only $500? Oh heck yeah.

Johanna

Oh, if only I could actually sleep in a coach seat I'd probably never spring for Business or First unless I were using FF miles...sigh.

I can't sleep in business OR coach & always use mileage upgrades so I'd sure pay $500.00 for it. Well worth it IMO.

I agree with Jewela...if you can spend the money I wouldn't doubt..I fly bussiness when I can and I don't consider it as a hotel room expense but a better way to fly, I enjoy every detail and in case you have a delay or something like that...you get a better hotel also!

Now that BA has beds in Business I use my FF to upgrade and it's worth every dollar (instead of using miles for a "free" cattle seat.)

$500? Absolutely! The smaller, quieter cabin, better pillows, ability to put my feet up, USE OF THE LOUNGES (see if that's included if you're paying for the upgrade) is wonderful.