Flying first/ business class

[Anonymous]

Assuming that you don’t track airline miles at what income level would you start regularly flying first/ business class for just regular vacation.

Assume 2 adults and 3 kids.

Is your number based on actual experience having reached it or is it a hypothetical question only for you at this point?

[Anonymous]

We are at around $1.3-1.4m and don’t fly first class. We do premium economy for international flights and will sometimes do the biz class upgrades at check for the overnight flight if it’s in the $800 range. I often get upgraded to first for domestic flights but usually for the 45 minute flights where it makes no difference. i would fly biz if I was going to Asia or Africa. But that’s just for me and DH. I guess at $2m+ I’d fly biz for all international and long domestic flights.

[Anonymous]

750k hhi we do business for most flights, though we often put the kids (late teens) in economy. I have a bad back so flying economy can be very painful/dangerous for me.

[Anonymous]

We are at 850K and a family of four (2 adults and 2 teens). We fly economy unless upgraded to business randomly or premium economy upgrade is cheap. DH wants to fly business going forward as he is big and now has back problems.

[Anonymous]

Totally depends on the flight. I am willing to pay up for business class on an overnight flight to Europe. Much less willing to do so on a mid-day flight to SFO. Just decide on a vacation budget. Domestic first class is usually not worth it unless you have a tight connection and want a better chance of making it since they let you off first.

[Anonymous]

HHI $1.1m. We fly coach. I have status on United that lets me upgrade to economy plus for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming that you don’t track airline miles at what income level would you start regularly flying first/ business class for just regular vacation.

Assume 2 adults and 3 kids.

Is your number based on actual experience having reached it or is it a hypothetical question only for you at this point?

Our HHI is $575K and NW is $7.5M. We never fly coach. Not ever. If a particular flight doesn’t have business class or first class (usually small regional flights), we won’t even take it. I’d rather fly at a different time of day or to a nearby city. Our family of five flies about 6 times per year. Half domestic, half international. DH flies for business 1-2 times per month in addition to our personal travel. Always business or first.

Dealing with all the clueless and unprepared people that don’t regularly travel, the overcrowded club lounges, the chaotic boarding processes, the fake service animals, the lying and self-proclaimed disabled and military travelers pushing to the front of the line, the 3+ year-old lap children, the mediocre service, the bulkhead diaper changing, the garbage on-board food, etc…. It’s all too much. The only stress reliever is knowing that at least on-board we’ll have a reasonably elevated and comfortable experience. Couldn’t handle it otherwise.

We have a dedicated divided ETF that generates about $6K per month after taxes to help offset cost differences between coach and first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assuming that you don’t track airline miles at what income level would you start regularly flying first/ business class for just regular vacation.

Assume 2 adults and 3 kids.

Is your number based on actual experience having reached it or is it a hypothetical question only for you at this point?

Our HHI is $575K and NW is $7.5M. We never fly coach. Not ever. If a particular flight doesn’t have business class or first class (usually small regional flights), we won’t even take it. I’d rather fly at a different time of day or to a nearby city. Our family of five flies about 6 times per year. Half domestic, half international. DH flies for business 1-2 times per month in addition to our personal travel. Always business or first.

Dealing with all the clueless and unprepared people that don’t regularly travel, the overcrowded club lounges, the chaotic boarding processes, the fake service animals, the lying and self-proclaimed disabled and military travelers pushing to the front of the line, the 3+ year-old lap children, the mediocre service, the bulkhead diaper changing, the garbage on-board food, etc…. It’s all too much. The only stress reliever is knowing that at least on-board we’ll have a reasonably elevated and comfortable experience. Couldn’t handle it otherwise.

We have a dedicated divided ETF that generates about $6K per month after taxes to help offset cost differences between coach and first.

Do you mind sharing what ETF you’re referring to?

[Anonymous]

I’m am so lol, but that is such a true description of the parade of horribles in economy. And the reason why I sometimes will pay for first or business even though my income and net worth are less than those above. And why it’s completely silly to have an income of seven figures and be flying overseas in economy.

[Anonymous]

Summertime biz class tickets to Europe are 10k+ this year. I’m not even using my work budget for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m am so lol, but that is such a true description of the parade of horribles in economy. And the reason why I sometimes will pay for first or business even though my income and net worth are less than those above. And why it’s completely silly to have an income of seven figures and be flying overseas in economy.

Agreed- the alleged coach/economy plus- flying 1.1 million HHI poster above is either a troll or a fool

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m am so lol, but that is such a true description of the parade of horribles in economy. And the reason why I sometimes will pay for first or business even though my income and net worth are less than those above. And why it’s completely silly to have an income of seven figures and be flying overseas in economy.

Agreed- the alleged coach/economy plus- flying 1.1 million HHI poster above is either a troll or a fool

It’s more foolish to spend 10k per person to avoid clueless passengers. The plane takes off at the same time regardless of when you get on. And I fly all the time and I’ve never seen disabled/military/families with children indignantly push to the front of the line. It’s 100% business class and high FF status people who are pushy and entitled. Hmmmm..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m am so lol, but that is such a true description of the parade of horribles in economy. And the reason why I sometimes will pay for first or business even though my income and net worth are less than those above. And why it’s completely silly to have an income of seven figures and be flying overseas in economy.

Agreed- the alleged coach/economy plus- flying 1.1 million HHI poster above is either a troll or a fool

It’s more foolish to spend 10k per person to avoid clueless passengers. The plane takes off at the same time regardless of when you get on. And I fly all the time and I’ve never seen disabled/military/families with children indignantly push to the front of the line. It’s 100% business class and high FF status people who are pushy and entitled. Hmmmm..

10k isn’t a lot of money when you are worth millions. I’m gladly paying it for a more pleasant experience.

[Anonymous]

HHI $2-3m. We usually fly economy plus. Sometimes we upgrade one leg of the trip. We recently upgraded for flight back from Asia for $3k per person so it cost 20k for a flight home.

[Anonymous]

Once we were 60 we started flying first /business to get planes with lie flat seats. Even on 5 hour trips, makes a huge difference getting legs up level.