Business or First class international airfare

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Came from less than nothing. Quit working at 52 and haven't lifted a finger since. Spouse never worked and was SAHM. Raised four kids through college, all tuition paid, plus all weddings paid for.

Traveled all over the world with the kids, including a month-long African safari (also took their spouses), a month long trip to Australia, and several trips to Latin America. After retiring (pre-covid), the two of us went on several month long trips ourselves to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Our first post-Covid international trip is next month.

We have a $1.8 million home in DC, a $900k second home in the country where we spend a lot of time, plus an $800k investment property in a DC suburb.

Net worth: 8 million.

We've never paid to fly business or first class with our own money, ever. Had we done a silly thing like that, we'd never be able to do what we have done or be where we are financially today.

Did you include you house values in your net worth? I’m not sure how you managed to pay for those family trips to Africa etc. on 8mm net worth. Doesn’t seem enough to pay for all of that.

Not that poster, but of course it’s enough. More than enough to do all that and more over the years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once you fly business class it’s really hard to fly coach…

This varies from person to person I guess, but for me its not hard at all. Everyone in my family could basically fall asleep standing up if needed to. I also feel airline food is of a quality that makes me think of it only as sustenance, regardless of what class you're in. Thats from experience on pretty much every global airline. I fly business international for work, and its nice and all, but I wouldn't splurge personally on the higher quality experience. I'd rather spend money at the destination than getting to the destination. We prefer red eyes going East, so we sleep. Going west, you read or watch movies. Sure you can get a little cramped, but its really over before you know it. 5M NW

[Anonymous]

We fly premium economy and very occasionally DH and I will fly business or first on a solo trip. HHI around 450, two kids. It’s not a priority expense for us but sure is a nice experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you put your kids in first class even once they will complain about coach for the rest of their childhood, in my experience.

Complain, you get stuck back in coach for a long time. Not a fan of ungrateful kids.

Believe me, they are stuck back in coach permanently. Or at least until they make enough money to afford it themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once you fly business class it’s really hard to fly coach…

This varies from person to person I guess, but for me its not hard at all. Everyone in my family could basically fall asleep standing up if needed to. I also feel airline food is of a quality that makes me think of it only as sustenance, regardless of what class you're in. Thats from experience on pretty much every global airline. I fly business international for work, and its nice and all, but I wouldn't splurge personally on the higher quality experience. I'd rather spend money at the destination than getting to the destination. We prefer red eyes going East, so we sleep. Going west, you read or watch movies. Sure you can get a little cramped, but its really over before you know it. 5M NW

I am tall, a horrible sleeper, and have chronic pain issues. For me it’s not a matter of just being uncomfortable. The pain of sitting on coach can linger for days and cause a flare up on symptoms.

I’ve always just used miles to buy business though.

[Anonymous]

We always fly business class internationally and first class domestically. We are in our late 60’s with a very high net worth so we can afford it and at our age it reduces the aches and pains. On the other hand I drive a 7 year old Subaru!

[Anonymous]

This is a point of contention in our family, HHI about $900k. I would gladly pay 500$ extra in each direction to Europe for business class. there are often buyup opportunities in this range. Spouse prefers cheaper.

But for a family of 5 even I would hesitate to buy five $5k round trips. Fly coach and get a ridiculously nice hotel suite in Paris with the savings.

[Anonymous]

Over $20 million NW and always fly coach. We’re a short family (so leg room doe sad Much thanks matter so much) and no particular physical needs.

[Anonymous]

This is what Amex points are for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over $20 million NW and always fly coach. We’re a short family (so leg room doe sad Much thanks matter so much) and no particular physical needs.

This is very interesting. I fly about twice a month for work and my company pays for first or business class regardless of distance or destination. On top of this, I fly with my family about six times a year. We always fly first or business class; seems weird I would do it for work but not for personal. I guess I’m only MC by DCUM standards with an HHI of $550K and a NW of $5M. Most of our business class is covered by FF miles or Global Services elite upgrades on United, but we still have a $50K / year travel budget to spend on first and business class, when necessary.

What do you plan to do with $20M in NW if not to live a little. Flying coach is like living in high density, low cost, suburban housing. Do people actually enjoy this? More seats for me and my kids, though…. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over $20 million NW and always fly coach. We’re a short family (so leg room doe sad Much thanks matter so much) and no particular physical needs.

I'm assuming you spend the night at Motel 6 because you don't need a better room and bed. Why pay $250 per night at Marriot when you can pay $50 (5x less) at Motel 6?

[Anonymous]

We travel so infrequently that we have enough CC points saved up to fly business. The extra space, the pre boarding and the bathroom are totally worth it for us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Came from less than nothing. Quit working at 52 and haven't lifted a finger since. Spouse never worked and was SAHM. Raised four kids through college, all tuition paid, plus all weddings paid for.

Traveled all over the world with the kids, including a month-long African safari (also took their spouses), a month long trip to Australia, and several trips to Latin America. After retiring (pre-covid), the two of us went on several month long trips ourselves to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Our first post-Covid international trip is next month.

We have a $1.8 million home in DC, a $900k second home in the country where we spend a lot of time, plus an $800k investment property in a DC suburb.

Net worth: 8 million.

We've never paid to fly business or first class with our own money, ever. Had we done a silly thing like that, we'd never be able to do what we have done or be where we are financially today.

Did you include you house values in your net worth? I’m not sure how you managed to pay for those family trips to Africa etc. on 8mm net worth. Doesn’t seem enough to pay for all of that.

House values? No. Home equity? Yes. We have low interest mortgages on the main house and the investment property and no desire to pay them off early. Makes no financial sense to do that.

The Africa trip, as I recall, cost about $100k. We didn't go there every year, lol.

But now that I think about it, we also did a two-week trip to the Galapagos with the whole family as well. We really did get around!

[Anonymous]

Looks like most people in business are either traveling on company money or award/points/miles/upgrades.
Few are paying full fare directly out of pocket.

[Anonymous]

You can be like Gordon Ramsey and fly first while your kids sit in the back of the bus.