Flying first/ business class

[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.

lol such a waste of money

My HHI is in the $100 M range we don’t do this

We travel way more than you

Have access to a private jet and still think your post is cringy

But hey free country

[Anonymous]

We are at 425 and we just paid four our first business class upgrade because it was $500 each red eye to Europe. I'm open to it depending on cost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

This. We know we have saved more than enough and now we can spend frivolously and for comfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

lol such a waste of money

My HHI is in the $100 M range we don’t do this

We travel way more than you

Have access to a private jet and still think your post is cringy

But hey free country

ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

lol such a waste of money

My HHI is in the $100 M range we don’t do this

We travel way more than you

Have access to a private jet and still think your post is cringy

But hey free country

$100M HHI and flying economy? Lol
Enjoy your cramped economy class seats.

[Anonymous]

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

This^^^

My wife travels for work a lot. They have a $6K limit for trips (execs are allowed to fly business if keeping below this). This year it is difficult to plan a trip and do just that, but it is possible with switching up airports/where you connect.

[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

We had income of $850K and NW of $12M+ and typically flew economy plus and hoped for upgrades. 50% of that goes to taxes (it's W2 income, not much other choice). Asia trips are always business, but Europe is a 6-8 hour flight and not worth extra $4-5K for each of us. If we could get it for $1K we paid for upgrade.

Now that we are similar income and NW over $30M, we pay for business for us. The kids (teens and college) go in economy plus or premium select. Sure we could pay for them to be in business, but I was over 45 before we started doing that. I was 30 before I went to Europe---they will be find in EP/PS and enjoy their multiple trips to Europe before they are 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

+1
To the 575K HHI and 7.5MNW poster, what ETF are you referring to? TIA

[Anonymous]

Net worth $20M, and recently started flying only Business/First. It's not a good value by any means, but is the only way short of flying privately to reduce the stress and aggravation of air travel, which otherwise is a seemingly never-ending race to the bottom by the airlines in terms of comfort and convenience. We only fly a few times a year, so accept the admittedly ridiculous cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Net worth $20M, and recently started flying only Business/First. It's not a good value by any means, but is the only way short of flying privately to reduce the stress and aggravation of air travel, which otherwise is a seemingly never-ending race to the bottom by the airlines in terms of comfort and convenience. We only fly a few times a year, so accept the admittedly ridiculous cost.

I don't agree. Most US airlines have 3 classes for domestic flights. Regular economy, extra legroom economy, and domestic business (same as premium economy on long haul flights). Long haul flights add the option of lie flat business class.

Seems like a pretty reasonable set of options/levels. Most people are understandably price sensitive so they opt for the cheapest option. The major airlines are just reacting to that demand.

[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

We had income of $850K and NW of $12M+ and typically flew economy plus and hoped for upgrades. 50% of that goes to taxes (it's W2 income, not much other choice). Asia trips are always business, but Europe is a 6-8 hour flight and not worth extra $4-5K for each of us. If we could get it for $1K we paid for upgrade.

Now that we are similar income and NW over $30M, we pay for business for us. The kids (teens and college) go in economy plus or premium select. Sure we could pay for them to be in business, but I was over 45 before we started doing that. I was 30 before I went to Europe---they will be find in EP/PS and enjoy their multiple trips to Europe before they are 20.

where do you live? For example, in Virginia, the max increment al is 5.75% add that to the max federal incremental of 37% and you get 42.75% and that is the max, actual would be lower. Where do you live where the actual income tax is 50%?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

We had income of $850K and NW of $12M+ and typically flew economy plus and hoped for upgrades. 50% of that goes to taxes (it's W2 income, not much other choice). Asia trips are always business, but Europe is a 6-8 hour flight and not worth extra $4-5K for each of us. If we could get it for $1K we paid for upgrade.

Now that we are similar income and NW over $30M, we pay for business for us. The kids (teens and college) go in economy plus or premium select. Sure we could pay for them to be in business, but I was over 45 before we started doing that. I was 30 before I went to Europe---they will be find in EP/PS and enjoy their multiple trips to Europe before they are 20.

where do you live? For example, in Virginia, the max increment al is 5.75% add that to the max federal incremental of 37% and you get 42.75% and that is the max, actual would be lower. Where do you live where the actual income tax is 50%?

Agreed no where in the US are you paying 50% of your W2 income to taxes. It is higher than the highest bracket.

[Anonymous]

HHI: $800K
I own a plane and fly myself whenever possible. I fly down to Bahamas/Caribbean all the time and avoid all the airport customs and security lines. Can’t stand flying commercially even in BC or FC. When I have to fly commercially I try to fly BC whenever possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

We had income of $850K and NW of $12M+ and typically flew economy plus and hoped for upgrades. 50% of that goes to taxes (it's W2 income, not much other choice). Asia trips are always business, but Europe is a 6-8 hour flight and not worth extra $4-5K for each of us. If we could get it for $1K we paid for upgrade.

Now that we are similar income and NW over $30M, we pay for business for us. The kids (teens and college) go in economy plus or premium select. Sure we could pay for them to be in business, but I was over 45 before we started doing that. I was 30 before I went to Europe---they will be find in EP/PS and enjoy their multiple trips to Europe before they are 20.

where do you live? For example, in Virginia, the max increment al is 5.75% add that to the max federal incremental of 37% and you get 42.75% and that is the max, actual would be lower. Where do you live where the actual income tax is 50%?

Agreed no where in the US are you paying 50% of your W2 income to taxes. It is higher than the highest bracket.

In DC increment is 10.75, so you end up very close to half.

[Anonymous]

Interesting question bc you only asked about income level. I think it’s asset level. You didn’t ask that so I’ll answer your question we do, with an avg income of around $500,000 (retired).