The Truth About First Class
#21
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Another reason I'd do the upgrade to biz class on the way back rather than the way over (if you can only do one) is that you will usually get a better carry-on allowance. That's useful if you've done a lot of shopping in Europe, especially for fragile items!
As Carol noted, the flight back is longer so if you're going to spend the $$$ for biz class, might as well make the most of every minute!
BTilke
As Carol noted, the flight back is longer so if you're going to spend the $$$ for biz class, might as well make the most of every minute!
BTilke
#22
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Just wanted to add to LL's post regarding 2x1 tickets with American Express Platnimum card. They are only available from "select" gateway cities in the U.S. If you don't live in one of the gateway cities - NY, LA for example - you must add on the price of a ticket to get you to that gateway before being able to take advantage of the deal. Participating airlines are also restricted and keep in mind that the airlines set the fare that can be used with this deal. Just like not all coach seats cost the same, the cheapest business class fares aren't always good for 2x1 deals. Ask lots of questions before signing up. We discovered it wasn't a usable program for us.
#23
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My husband and I travel to Europe several times a year to see his family, and we always fly coach. Next year is our 10th anniversary, so we were thinking about flying 1st class. Prices were absolutely unbelievable. I think it was $7,000 per ticket, on average. Business class was around $4,000.
The only reasonable alternative I found was in Virgin's Premium Economy. Granted, it was still $2K per ticket, and we probably will end up flying coach again, but that's the best I could find.
My advice: buy coach and fly on a day that typically isn't that busy. Dress reasonably nice (I usually wear sweatpants!), and tell the ticket agent that it's your 20th anniversary or something. You may get a free upgrade. We used to say we were on our honeymoon, and got upgraded twice for our efforts.
The only reasonable alternative I found was in Virgin's Premium Economy. Granted, it was still $2K per ticket, and we probably will end up flying coach again, but that's the best I could find.
My advice: buy coach and fly on a day that typically isn't that busy. Dress reasonably nice (I usually wear sweatpants!), and tell the ticket agent that it's your 20th anniversary or something. You may get a free upgrade. We used to say we were on our honeymoon, and got upgraded twice for our efforts.
#24
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You all are SO helpful! What a wealth of information for an ignoramus like me. I already know we won't fly first class or business ($$$$), and we don't rack up enough credit card spending to earn any miles on time; but I now know what airline and style of plane to book for the most pleasant trip ... and what drugs to take if it isn't!! Forgive one last bumpkin question, related to Ann's post: when you say "the ticket agent," do you mean the person you're booking the ticket with originally, or the person where you check in at the gate? I told you we were novices!!
#25
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Kris, sorry if I'm going blind, but I found "travel agent" not "ticket agent" at the end of my post. I meant the person from whom you originally buy the ticket. If you've definitely decided to go coach, then this isn't applicable as even with the discounts (the Amex platinum was a great tip, by the way) the cost differential is still huge relative to the lowest available coach fare. For me, the more I've traveled the less it's bothered me to be going through the lines, the noise, etc. I hope you find it enjoyable to do more traveling! I travel extensively for work, and I find it most rewarding.