I have enough miles to upgrade to business class for ONE leg of my trip. So which leg should I choose? If I choose the way over, I will sleep better, but I will also sleep though all the comfort and amenities. If I choose it the way back, I will be awake to enjoy it but not get as much sleep on the way there. What would you do?

I'd take the comfort on the the east bound trip.

I think it depends on what you will be doing when you get home, do you have to go right back to work? If you can lounge away instead, I would say upgrade on the way over there.

Whatever leg involves a night flight. I always find that you feel much more weary on your return journey, lacking the enthusiasm of arriving at an exciting destination. Therefore upgrade upon your return, or of course you could go both ways.

Almost certainly the business class seats will be roomier than those in coach, but ask yourself this question: does that mean you'll get more sleep? Do the seats recline enough to assure that in your particular case? If the answer is "no" or "I'm not certain" then I'd opt for the upgrade on the westbound leg.

Top Man: my thinking too, I always sleep in coach so why bother upgrading on the east bound leg? The way back when I am awake is when Business would seem better. Plus it is something to look forward to at the end of the vacation! Other opinions??

"Coming home" gets my vote!!
I'm always jazzed starting my vacation...need an upper for the return flight!!

I actually wouldn't do either, but if I had to choose--I'd upgrade on the way over. I never sleep on airplanes anyway, and I could relax more and start out with a more pleasant experience.

When I return I always call in sick the next workday, so that's my upper.

You don't say where you're flying from/to but I assume it's North America/Europe. I always think the journey travelling east leaves me more tired and I have to try harder to get into the routine immediately on arrival. So I would say the North America to Europe leg would be better for me to upgrade.

Travelling west always seems much easier as the flights from Europe to North America are generally daytime and overall it's just like staying up late with the extra hours being the time difference. If you arrive tired, just go to bed sooner. The same theory doesn't hold true going east.

I would love to be able to upgrade on my way to Europe, since the flight is at night. Even if I can't sleep, I will at least be spared the misery of discomfort all night while I'm tired.

We just got back from Italy. We upgraded on the way over & loved it. We couldn't upgrade on the way back & it was pure torture. The flight was packed & at first my husband & I couldn't even sit together--until he begged this woman to switch with me & she was nice enough to do it. If I had my choice, I'd upgrade on the way back for the comfort level (you'll be so tired from walking) & to lesson the pain of leaving Italy. Unless of course, you can pay for an upgrade over (we paid $150 each on British Air) & use your miles coming back.

Are you going to Europe? In this case I would chose the first part of my journey..Usually the flight over there is in the evening and you want to be comfortable.
Coming back , nobody sleep in the plane anyway, usually my flight leaves in mid morning and I arrive late afternoon or early evening.

Definitely, coming home.
On my way over I am excited about the trip, coming home I am sad .
Plus not only is there more time in the air going east- west, but I always feel worse going east -west.

On the way over...no doubt. You'll be able to sleep and have more time to enjoy your destination.

It probably depends whether you have to go to work the next day. Otherwise, I'd agree with the night-flight preference.

For PattyB

How do you pay $150 to upgrade to business class. That seems like the deal of the century. Can you explain?

So there seems to be a definite split of opinion!

Patty B: how did you buy an upgrade for a measly $150?? Is that standard for BA?

Ivy,
Since you say you're able to sleep in coach, then why not upgrade on the way home when you'll be able to appreciate it?

If it were for me, I would upgrade for the trip over, since I find it very hard to sleep in coach.

Bailey beat me to it. I feel the same way...Going I can tolerate the cattle class. But I need something to look forward to when my trip has ended.