Anonymous wrote:Most people are using points aren’t they?

Anecdotally: I am 1k and a million mile flyer on United.

At least on United recently, points to upgrade coach to business (Polaris) on overnight long-haul international flight has not worked once for me.

Also, the number of points needed for a seat in Business (Polaris) one-way on an overnight long-haul international flight is astoundingly high. So crazy high I do not have enough points.

I have been offered a deep discounted paid ($) upgrade on such United flights twice recently - at time of check-in. It was enough of a cost reduction that I paid that deeply discounted upgrade price twice.

Lately, we use points on mine and pay for DH’s. We just retired this spring and figured up a few years ago that we have saved too much for retirement. So, we have decided to spend some of it on frivolous things that enhance our experiences. Getting business class to Europe and being able to sleep makes the whole trip better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retirement net worth 5 million. AGI around 350k. We pay business class for a family of 3. Worth every penny for flights longer than 5 hours.

Interesting. We have higher income and NW and have never paid for business class on personal travel.

so, you use points.

Good rule of thumb is that biz class is “worth” the upgrade if it’s $70/hour per hour or less of flight time relative to the economy class ticket.

So $300 more for biz class on a 6 hour flight? Worth it. $1000 more? Arguably not worth it. It all depends on your need for comfort, what your time is worth, etc.

Very long trips - either x-country or international. Also helps build points.

Anonymous wrote:Why do people with money get off on being so cheap? Flying sucks. I have a high HHI and fly business alll the time.. I mean, I guess I could hoard it, but I'd rather spend my money on being comfortable. Spent too many years poor and miserable. Oh wait...here come uthe inevitable " you won't stay wealthy spending money on frivolities like flying."

Fine then. In the meantime, enjoying the legroom

No clue to be honest. Probably the same folks who are worth $10 million but drive a 20 year old Camry.

HHI 1m, net worth 10m-we fly business on overnight flights and premium economy on long haul day time flights. Domestic flights are economy. Obviously we use points when possible, which it usually is.

We aim for Premium Economy - it’s usually $3-4K for say Cape Town vs $12K for business. Goes down from there for closer locations.

We’re also flying Mint for the first time from JFK to Europe and paid full price ($2800) which felt like a steal for lie flat suites.

I don’t really enjoy buying business or first class tickets because I would rather spend the money on something else but I often do because it’s more comfortable and I can afford it and I for suuuure dgaf what other people think about it, and I never tell people I know so unless they’re on my flight, it’s not an issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Retirement net worth 5 million. AGI around 350k. We pay business class for a family of 3. Worth every penny for flights longer than 5 hours.

Interesting. We have higher income and NW and have never paid for business class on personal travel.

Because you're so much better and more thoughtful and.more wise with money.

Why do people with money get off on being so cheap? Flying sucks. I have a high HHI and fly business alll the time.. I mean, I guess I could hoard it, but I'd rather spend my money on being comfortable. Spent too many years poor and miserable. Oh wait...here come uthe inevitable " you won't stay wealthy spending money on frivolities like flying."

Fine then. In the meantime, enjoying the legroom

Anonymous wrote:Retirement net worth 5 million. AGI around 350k. We pay business class for a family of 3. Worth every penny for flights longer than 5 hours.

Interesting. We have higher income and NW and have never paid for business class on personal travel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people are using points aren’t they?

This

Not us, we pay the full fare.

I'm not sure how anyone knows the percentages of passengers who pay personally in cash, who use points, who are upgraded due to status with the airline as very frequent flyers, or whose tickets are purchased by someone else like an employer, a conference host, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most people are using points aren’t they?

No, most people are not using points. Most people are business travelers and the company is paying for it.

Ok true. I meant points or company funds. Most people in business class are not paying cash for personal travel. Our friend flies to Singapore e/o month for work. He says it’s $7k each time he goes.

Retirement net worth 5 million. AGI around 350k. We pay business class for a family of 3. Worth every penny for flights longer than 5 hours.