Flying first/ business class

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe if you really like working? We are trying to retire ASAP and would not be willing to work longer just to buy first class tickets.

But, I mean, if the stock market does well you might be able to get to being able to afford business class anyhow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe if you really like working? We are trying to retire ASAP and would not be willing to work longer just to buy first class tickets.

But, I mean, if the stock market does well you might be able to get to being able to afford business class anyhow.

We have made tremendous amount in the stock market, but not enough to quit working so we are still adding money, not taking it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Planning a birthday/belated honeymoon to California next year and budgeting for first class. We have kids, we have debt, but life is short and I want to fly first class, dammit. We work really hard and are on the right track so wtf. Some people need to live a little!

That's OK to pay for this experience in celebration but it sounds wild to me to do that while you're in debt!!!

Yes, it is rather stupid to do that. Most likely they will still be in debt and not on track for retirement or college savings in 5 years with that financial mentality. Once kids are college age, they will complain about being "donut hole" family and how it's just not fair they don't have $100K+ per year for college per kid and "how could I have possibly saved for that on my income"

Clearly you didn’t read same PP who said they invest heavily in retirement funds and kids college savings accounts, and other investment vehicles.

The PP stated they "have debt". Nowhere in that post (maybe another one) did they state they invest heavily in retirement and college for kids.
I stand by if you "have debt" you don't spend an extra $1k+ on first class, you put it towards the debt.

Even mortgage debt?

Yes, unless I am close to having enough to actually pay it off. But certainly if you have any other debt, then I wouldn't spend money on upgrades like that.

Now I do spend for first 90% of the time. But we have 2 houses fully paid off, all cars paid off and can earn more yearly from our investments than our HHI income brings in. So yes we have hit the point it makes sense to spend on whatever we want. But we have limits---I'm not paying 10K to get to Europe---in that case I will do a layover or fly premium select to save $4-6K per person. Basically we still make financial decisions so as not to waste money. And if a 2 hour flight costs $300 more for first, I'm waiting to see ifI get my free upgrade, I can spend that $300 elsewhere and sit in economy plus for 120 mins. But if the difference is $100 then I'm upgrading.

[Anonymous]

+1

Cannot imagine paying for first class (I get economy plus type) if I have debt. Then again, it's likely that mentality that got them "into debt". I define debt as anything other than mortgage and car loan but in reality, I wouldn't personally pay for first class until I could pay cash for my cars (unless the loan is 0.9% or less).

Well you define debt differently than PP, who clearly stated in her follow up post that debt was mortgage/car loan/student loan. And you sound uptight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Knowing how easy it is to with points and miles, there is no income where I would pay money (instead of points) to fly business/first.

It’s really not that easy. Unless we are doing something wrong? We have a lot of points and it seems the availability is always limited. How far in advance do you book?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im a divorced mom of elementary schoolers making $300k. I don’t bother for domestic flights but for vacation trips to europe with my kids, I always at least pay the $550 to get us on the Polaris upgrade list, and will just buy the upgrade in cash if I can get it for under $1k/person or so. I used to resist doing this thinking it was a waste of money to pay so much to be more comfortable for a few hours, but the difference in mood/stress level at arrival is incredible and so I’ve decided to build it into my travel budget. There are only so many opportunities for vacation trips w my kids, and I don’t want to spend any of that valuable time being cranky/sleep deprived/uncomfortable when I can actually afford not to be. I’d rather cheap out elsewhere on stuff that doesn’t matter to me as much.

Thank you! These posts of extreme wealth not paying to upgrade seem either untrue or crazy! I have to fly a bit for work and to see family. Travel is unpleasant at best these days. I upgrade with points and cash every time. At 20 I flew economy which seemed pleasant, 30 years later it is not the same. HHI 440K+

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Knowing how easy it is to with points and miles, there is no income where I would pay money (instead of points) to fly business/first.

It’s really not that easy. Unless we are doing something wrong? We have a lot of points and it seems the availability is always limited. How far in advance do you book?

Availability is best 11 months out (at release) or 1-2 months out when people start to cancel and/or the airlines release more seats because they haven’t sold for cash. It’s also best to have flexible points (chase, Cap1, Amex, etc.) so they can be transferred to a number of different airlines and partners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im a divorced mom of elementary schoolers making $300k. I don’t bother for domestic flights but for vacation trips to europe with my kids, I always at least pay the $550 to get us on the Polaris upgrade list, and will just buy the upgrade in cash if I can get it for under $1k/person or so. I used to resist doing this thinking it was a waste of money to pay so much to be more comfortable for a few hours, but the difference in mood/stress level at arrival is incredible and so I’ve decided to build it into my travel budget. There are only so many opportunities for vacation trips w my kids, and I don’t want to spend any of that valuable time being cranky/sleep deprived/uncomfortable when I can actually afford not to be. I’d rather cheap out elsewhere on stuff that doesn’t matter to me as much.

Thank you! These posts of extreme wealth not paying to upgrade seem either untrue or crazy! I have to fly a bit for work and to see family. Travel is unpleasant at best these days. I upgrade with points and cash every time. At 20 I flew economy which seemed pleasant, 30 years later it is not the same. HHI 440K+

Maybe to Asia or something. I have no desire paying to upgrade my flight to Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About six years ago I was flying economy from SFO to ORD and I had an aisle seat. In the middle seat was a 300 pounder who couldn’t help but spread out leaving me to lean over the aisle for five hours getting hit by carts and people walking by. The next morning my neck and back hurt like hell. I had recently retired and we are very high NW. Now I fly first class and while I hunt for the best deal I’m not flying in economy. I’m too old, too wealthy and too tired of flying in what has become a cattle car.

Airlines should charge by the pound. They charge for extra luggage!

Airlines should have each passenger get on the scale with all their luggage, including personal items, coats and carryons. Any passenger whose total body and luggage weight exceeds the
allowance should pay by the pound.

So we should publicly fat shame? Great idea! I can't imagine any knock on consequences from that.

Of course not, but why is it fair to me at 5 ft, 110 lbs that a stranger who is quite large spills in to my seat. It is not comfortable for me. I don’t know what the answer is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im a divorced mom of elementary schoolers making $300k. I don’t bother for domestic flights but for vacation trips to europe with my kids, I always at least pay the $550 to get us on the Polaris upgrade list, and will just buy the upgrade in cash if I can get it for under $1k/person or so. I used to resist doing this thinking it was a waste of money to pay so much to be more comfortable for a few hours, but the difference in mood/stress level at arrival is incredible and so I’ve decided to build it into my travel budget. There are only so many opportunities for vacation trips w my kids, and I don’t want to spend any of that valuable time being cranky/sleep deprived/uncomfortable when I can actually afford not to be. I’d rather cheap out elsewhere on stuff that doesn’t matter to me as much.

Thank you! These posts of extreme wealth not paying to upgrade seem either untrue or crazy! I have to fly a bit for work and to see family. Travel is unpleasant at best these days. I upgrade with points and cash every time. At 20 I flew economy which seemed pleasant, 30 years later it is not the same. HHI 440K+

Maybe to Asia or something. I have no desire paying to upgrade my flight to Disney.

I’m the poster. Agreed. I’ll fly dc to Orlando as well in economy. Even to SF sometimes. But visiting family 6+ hours or more in Europe and definitely longer to Australia I upgrade. Flew economy once to AU and was miserable. Our 19 yr old does it no problem so he says😀 Last time we upgraded him ( at uni there) and he so appreciated it!

[Anonymous]

HHI 4 m last year, we now fly business when it’s overnight ( so we can sleep) but usually fly premium on return. We have three kids so it seems like a reasonable approach to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im a divorced mom of elementary schoolers making $300k. I don’t bother for domestic flights but for vacation trips to europe with my kids, I always at least pay the $550 to get us on the Polaris upgrade list, and will just buy the upgrade in cash if I can get it for under $1k/person or so. I used to resist doing this thinking it was a waste of money to pay so much to be more comfortable for a few hours, but the difference in mood/stress level at arrival is incredible and so I’ve decided to build it into my travel budget. There are only so many opportunities for vacation trips w my kids, and I don’t want to spend any of that valuable time being cranky/sleep deprived/uncomfortable when I can actually afford not to be. I’d rather cheap out elsewhere on stuff that doesn’t matter to me as much.

Thank you! These posts of extreme wealth not paying to upgrade seem either untrue or crazy! I have to fly a bit for work and to see family. Travel is unpleasant at best these days. I upgrade with points and cash every time. At 20 I flew economy which seemed pleasant, 30 years later it is not the same. HHI 440K+

Maybe to Asia or something. I have no desire paying to upgrade my flight to Disney.

No shame in admitting that you cannot afford to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About six years ago I was flying economy from SFO to ORD and I had an aisle seat. In the middle seat was a 300 pounder who couldn’t help but spread out leaving me to lean over the aisle for five hours getting hit by carts and people walking by. The next morning my neck and back hurt like hell. I had recently retired and we are very high NW. Now I fly first class and while I hunt for the best deal I’m not flying in economy. I’m too old, too wealthy and too tired of flying in what has become a cattle car.

Airlines should charge by the pound. They charge for extra luggage!

Airlines should have each passenger get on the scale with all their luggage, including personal items, coats and carryons. Any passenger whose total body and luggage weight exceeds the
allowance should pay by the pound.

So we should publicly fat shame? Great idea! I can't imagine any knock on consequences from that.

Of course not, but why is it fair to me at 5 ft, 110 lbs that a stranger who is quite large spills in to my seat. It is not comfortable for me. I don’t know what the answer is.

The answer is quite simple: YOU fly business class. This will ensure your neighboring seat mate is unlikely to spill into your seat, a scenario that you otherwise cannot predict or avoid. This is precisely why I only fly business and first class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:About six years ago I was flying economy from SFO to ORD and I had an aisle seat. In the middle seat was a 300 pounder who couldn’t help but spread out leaving me to lean over the aisle for five hours getting hit by carts and people walking by. The next morning my neck and back hurt like hell. I had recently retired and we are very high NW. Now I fly first class and while I hunt for the best deal I’m not flying in economy. I’m too old, too wealthy and too tired of flying in what has become a cattle car.

Airlines should charge by the pound. They charge for extra luggage!

Airlines should have each passenger get on the scale with all their luggage, including personal items, coats and carryons. Any passenger whose total body and luggage weight exceeds the
allowance should pay by the pound.

So we should publicly fat shame? Great idea! I can't imagine any knock on consequences from that.

how much control did you have with your height?

Of course not, but why is it fair to me at 5 ft, 110 lbs that a stranger who is quite large spills in to my seat. It is not comfortable for me. I don’t know what the answer is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HHI 4 m last year, we now fly business when it’s overnight ( so we can sleep) but usually fly premium on return. We have three kids so it seems like a reasonable approach to us.

Amazing that with an HHI of $4M that you cannot afford to fly business or first class all the time. You must be operating a household budget at a wildly inefficient level. DH and I always fly business and first class in order to help subsidize airline operating costs so that the less fortunate members of society have access to more affordable economy fares. I guess I’m a little disgusted that someone making $4M per year is stealing away economy fares from families that can’t afford anything more. Do you also unnecessarily book ADA hotel rooms so that handicapped people cannot have them?!? Selfish trash.