Who can afford First Class prices?

[Anonymous]

Just for fun, I will look up the cost of first class/business lay-down flat seats on flights. I am astounded at the prices.

Just looked at a direct round trip from one major US east coast city to a European major city. $12,000! And it isn't an anomaly - most of them are in this price range.

Seriously. Do people actually pay these prices?? Are companies justifying this for their business travelers? For others, do they burn up all their travel points and if so, it must be in the hundreds of thousands LOL.

[Anonymous]

Most business class people use points now a days.

We went to Japan recently and paid cash about $10,000 per person. Too long a flight for us old people to do premium economy.

Any flight over 5 hours we pay or use points for flying business or first class. But luckily we can easily afford to do that. Do I think it is a waste yes. Business isn't always fabulous it's mostly about lay flat seats and getting some rest.

My sister has traveled all over the world in economy her thought is the plane still gets her there just like me.

Just a personal preference.

Trump will make these costs rise exponentially by next spring.

[Anonymous]

The answer is “yes” to all of your questions. I agree that the prices can be outrageous.

[Anonymous]

Apparently not you!

[Anonymous]

Booking ahead, it usually isn't quite that expensive, especially if you book at non-peak times/days.

The higher prices are really geared towards business travelers.

Most of the cabin these days is not points travelers - those days are long gone. Airlines are filling the seats with paid tickets.

[Anonymous]

I expect my husband and I will fly at least business when we aren’t taking the kids. He does it for work and has a hard time getting comfortable in economy due to health issues. At least for anything more than a couple of hours.

We’ll budget for it just like any other travel expense. Maybe it will mean traveling less often or for shorter times.

[Anonymous]

I think companies have to justify this for international travel so that it's not miserable. Otherwise people will rightly say "thanks, no thanks. not sitting economy. I'll TEams in"

[Anonymous]

Most are definitely NOT 12k. Just searched for a 10 day trip Dulles to Rome late September. $3600 roundtrip business on Swiss Air.

Still a lot, admittedly, especially for say 4 people, but not even close to 12k/person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most are definitely NOT 12k. Just searched for a 10 day trip Dulles to Rome late September. $3600 roundtrip business on Swiss Air.

Still a lot, admittedly, especially for say 4 people, but not even close to 12k/person.

Wrong, I just looked, it is $12,800 per person from DCA all the way through 2026

[Anonymous]

Business travel where my company pays.

And then I use the accrued points to upgrade me and my family. Or, I buy economy via points and then upgrade via cash but that can be tricky.

This means you have to use the same airline for work and personal travel.

Can’t remember the last time I paid for checked luggage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Booking ahead, it usually isn't quite that expensive, especially if you book at non-peak times/days.

The higher prices are really geared towards business travelers.

Most of the cabin these days is not points travelers - those days are long gone. Airlines are filling the seats with paid tickets.

I just booked a fist class ticket to India for $12k off peak on a random weekday. It's work travel.

[Anonymous]

I pay cash for my business class flights to Europe and it generally costs anywhere from $2,500 - $4,000 per person. I won’t pay more than this and will book well in advance or use my points to pay combo points or cash. I’ve spent between $16,000 - $22,000 for a family of four to travel to Europe. I would never spend $12,000 per person and have not encountered that. I also try to fly shoulder season alone twice per year and take the family every other year since they don’t enjoy travel as much. I book family summer trips very far in advance.

[Anonymous]

I will spend up to $5k for a business class return to Europe. It is worth it to me. We all have our indulgences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most are definitely NOT 12k. Just searched for a 10 day trip Dulles to Rome late September. $3600 roundtrip business on Swiss Air.

Still a lot, admittedly, especially for say 4 people, but not even close to 12k/person.

Wrong, I just looked, it is $12,800 per person from DCA all the way through 2026

Oh okay I guess Google Flights was wrong that every airline was under $5k.

I think you may only be looking at First Class? On international flights that's very similar to business class, and only a few airlines now even have a separate first class internationally.

Post dates and start- finish cities in Google Flights.

[Anonymous]

We have never paid that much for First Class. Even when we went to Japan this summer it was $8000. That said, we often use points when we book travel.