Convince me to buy business class

I have an airline credit card and use it for EVERYTHING. That allows me to use my points to travel in business class from the west coast of Canada to Europe every 2 years. Sometimes I have to supplement the seat with a few hundred dollars.
I travel solo, and ever since the pandemic, I have not had to worry about sitting next to someone. I get to lie flat, or just have my feet up for 9 hours. Is it as comfortable as my LazyBoy at home? No, but I’m able to rest and land somewhat refreshed instead of feeling like a sleep deprived zombie. That means I can function to get to my hotel, and have a somewhat reasonable first day at my destination.
If I travelled to Europe 1-2 times a year like some of the lucky posters here, I wouldn’t be able to afford business class. I’d have a hard time giving it up. It works for me.

Do you have some date flexibility? I fly Delta and move dates around until I get a fare I like. I try to pay around $4000 RT nonstop and it can generally be done if I work with the dates for awhile.

Delta offers their lowest prices - generally - on Tuesdays. So you might try pricing that and see if you can bring the price down.

I just messed with random dates and got $6500. Then I started searching other date pairs and got it down to $4282 by traveling May 3 to May 12. That price seems much more reasonable.

$4000 still seems like a lot, but then coach is going for $1400. Trying to synch with another couple still working and they are only available certain dates.

I have plenty of avios but the surcharges on Aer Lingus are nuts, like $155 over then 200€ back, plus 30€ seat selection, the “free” tickets run over $400–not free!

Susie: It does sound wonderful.

You could also fly business over on Delta (since it’s overnight) and comfort+ home (daytime) and save a few $$. I did that a few times when I started flying business but now just do business both ways. I usually travel solo and like having my own pod, using the clubs and have found if there is any disruption they seem to accommodate business travelers first.

Toby, it is your money so your decision.

Would it seem less extravagant if you did some terrific activities while in Ireland that you normally couldn’t do? Or stayed in some amazing hotel on this trip or at a resort during an off-season extra trip? It’s fun to think of all of the different options you could do with this money, including moving up to business class! And then you can pick whichever one is the most exciting & memorable.

Toby, we use our Avios for hotels, so the money saved on lodging can supplement the business class budget. So perhaps if you did this, your total trip costs would be more acceptable to you?

With some research, using Google Flights, I think you can come in under $4000.00 each. Actually, that's the highest we have ever paid , from the West Coast. And, there could be sales sometime before May. We, historically, have paid between $2200 to $4000. Each RT.)

You may want to check out getting a new airline credit card, and explore the bonus rewards and discounts. For us, our British Airways visa gives us 10% off flight purchases, and we combine that with the AARP discount, which recently came out to $600 off each business class ticket.

If you have the luxury, treat yourself. It's great having the flights being part of the vacation, and not dreading the travel, being less of a zombie upon landing, less prone to making a mistake, or losing something. As mentioned earlier, the lounge access is a treat, and I agree, when the flights have been canceled, we were treated very well by the airline staff. I'd much rather kill time during a flight delay in a lounge.

Also, we never pay for seats, just grab them when seats are free to book- all the business class seats on the new configurations are great. Do check out your plane model and know the difference between old and new configurations.

One problem if you do it- it's almost impossible to go back!

Let us know what you end up doing- good luck!

I also could technically afford it due to inheritance, but just can’t justify the expense. Even though I have never been able to sleep sitting up on a plane and am very uncomfortable sitting. I wish there were cheaper bunk beds with no additional luxuries—- it bugs me to pay for stuff I don’t want at all, like “better” airplane meals and whatever else swag and treats one gets along with the lie flat seats. So, yeah, bunk beds with curtains like the sleeper car on the train in “Some Like It Hot”! I would pay maybe $1500 one way Minneapolis to Rome, sit up on the return flight.

For roundtrip, that’s not bad! Wish I could score that from the West Coast.

You will arrive feeling human and less stressed, possibly have some decent sleep. The food is better, in general, but even without that, it is a treat we try to give ourselves at least on the eastbound over-water trip. Helps us recover more quickly on arrival, too.

A friend of mine regularly purchases business class tickets through a “consolidator.” She hasn’t had any issues but not sure if purchases through a consolidator would be a problem if you encountered issues with the airline - delays, cancellations etc. since booking through third parties can be a hassle if you encounter problems . We’ve been paying for premium comfort on two long hauls and that’s as far as we’ve gone. I will try Pat from San Diego’s strategy for our next trip!

There is no such thing as a "business class consolidator". Nothing like that exists. Just fraudsters pretending to be that.

There are numerous outfits masquerading as such things, but they are all dishonest, dealing in fraudulent tickets purchased with other peoples' frequent flyer miles (if the airline catch you participating in that - and they do regularly - they'll void your ticket and tell you to go pound sand). Beware any outfit claiming to offer "discount business class tickets" (there's no such thing) or, of all things, a "business class consolidator" (a term that harkens back to the 1960s and 70s long before the internet made that sort of wheeling and dealing an anachronism). 100% scam. Suckers beware.

I know my travel style is different from most,I am a solo female traveler by preference.
Travel for 25 years this way.
Re business class, 20 years ago I got a surprise upgrade on the return from Vienna to Charlotte NC. Ever since that time I have only flown Business class. And before I got some inheritance money, I had strategies to get these business class flights on American Airlines or united airlines. Credit card bonus miles,often departure on one airline and return on a different one.
Now I am traveling around 3 times per year to Europe, and I know that I am fortunate .
I'm in Sicily now and I used a combination of miles and cash $3.000 plus 80,000 miles for the Italy round trip on United Airlines.
In April 2026 I return to Italy on American airlines business class for $3,400.
Delta business class in my experience is more expensive both in cash and the number of miles to redeem for a business class flight. Plus I will Never fly through Atlanta, which is Delta 's hub.
Paying cash also gives me more points to redeem, for example my July trip to Helsinki . On American airlines flying out of RDU only used 57.5 miles for the business class flight and another 57.5 for the return.
So strategies, flexibility in time are tools.
Now at 75, if I can't fly business class I will not go!
But obviously it's your personal decision!

Another option - if you can go a day or two sooner, suffer economy and then treat yourself
to a nice hotel room upon arrival, which even if it costs $500, is a lot cheaper way to get over the
trip than $6000 in business class.

And a second option, which has a bit more risk - buy $5000 worth of miles when there is a
sale (usually there are times you can get 1.5 or 2x the regular amount). As I have said on the
forum a few times, miles are a different currency and prices don't necessarily correlate to the
cash price.

The risk is that you can't convert miles back for the price you paid, so you need to synch the
purchase and the redemption pretty closely to avoid surprises later.

If you need to be convinced, it might not be the right decision for you.

Business Class is about the same cost as a 10day RS Tour. So, which will give you more pleasure?

Another option - if you can go a day or two sooner, suffer economy and then treat yourself to a nice hotel room upon arrival, which even if it costs $500, is a lot cheaper way to get over the trip than $6000 in business class.

I like this option, shoeflyer.

Business Class is about the same cost as a 10day RS Tour. So, which will give you more pleasure?

And another very good analogy, Mr. E.

And think about it—if someone were to pay you $6,000 to give up one night of sleep by sitting up in a chair for 8-9 hours and watching movies or reading, would you accept? I would. And that's why I can't justify paying that much to NOT do that. 🤣

Use google flights to develop a sense of how those prices move, up and down, between now and May. Be very flexible with your flight dates. Set flight alerts for changes in price. I monitor flight prices for months and see extraordinary moves in price, day to day and week to week, and I jump on it if/when the price drops to the $4k +/- zone. For business class to either London or Paris, from the central time zone in the US, my average price paid is around $4k, and knock on wood, I find that price from 2 to 4 months prior to the dates.

I think you are trying to buy these tickets too far in advance. So monitor, and wait...what is the worst thing that will happen? The price never drops to $4k, so you then buy economy? Trust me, the prices on these tickets move a lot more than you may imagine. I am flying to Paris non stop business class in December for $3600, bought the tickets in early September, so about 3 months prior; in July and August, that same ticket price was north of $6k. I have "gotten lucky" buying business class within 6 weeks of the departure at a similarly good price, but that is cutting it close. Look 2 to 4 months out...

Now if $4k is too much for you, business class is probably not your thing. Fly economy, save the $.

Your choice. One can afford to do many different things but I try to remember to phrase it to myself and my children not "we can't afford that" but "we're choosing to do something different with our money."

I was bumped to business class as a 16 year old flying back to the US from Warsaw. It was nice but not something now as an adult I'd pay significantly more for. I accept being exhausted that first day and middle through til bedtime. With $4,000 I could have quite a few extra nights/hotel stays/ activities. But to each his own.
I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just decide if it's worth it to you. Or maybe you do it once and then you know it's great or not worth it for you.

I did pretty well just resting listening to a 2 hour loop of classical music this last trip. I used my eye cover and ear plugs and took all pressure and expectations of sleep off. I did not sleep but I did relax and that felt better than stressing out if I was going to sleep or not.

I too came into an inheritance a few years ago and could fly business class if I wanted to, and I've been sorely tempted. Twice, I think, I paid for a Polaris class upgrade with points and money. It was fine. Very nice, even. I don't know what the cash price of those flights was, but I doubt I would have thought the experience was worth it. [I read in advance lots of people rhapsodizing about the hot sundae cart in Polaris and then I thought....is that all there is? I could do this better at home. And I bet if I asked my husband, he'd serve it to me in my comfy living room chair while I watch a movie.]

Just for kicks I will look at business class fares sometimes. Then I think about how many trips I could take in Comfort + or the equivalent for the cost of one business class seat. I can't sleep on a plane, ever. I am a lifelong insomniac so I don't think I could sleep enough in a lie flat seat to justify the expense. The last couple of years I have started paying for my room/AirBnB for the night I am in the air, so that I can check in as soon as I arrive and not have to sleepwalk until mid afternoon. THAT is definitely money worth spending.

When I went to Edinburgh in August I flew Premium Economy. I think I paid about $1950 which felt wildly extravagant. Delta One was more than twice that. I can't imagine the experience would have been that much better.

Toby,
I understand your dilemma. It seems extravagant, one’s brain gets sticker shock seeing the higher price and yet you know you can afford it. I really admire folks like Rick Steves who despite his success and wealth still can’t bring himself to buy business class seats.

Throw caution to wind, go for it!

Happy travels!

With all the problems in the world right now, anf maybe old age setting in and recognizing a different way to value things (not right or wrong, just me), if i had the money where I could spend $1000 an hour for a more comfortsble cushion ... vs food on a table or a drone to save lives ... I would live without the cushion. If you come to the same conclusion, let me know and I will share the beneficiaries that are most moving in my life.

treat yourself. It's great having the flights being part of the vacation, and not dreading the travel, being less of a zombie upon landing,

I sure get this! Our last trip to Europe both my wife and I fell while walking around Berlin trying to stay awake after one of those absurd East Coast departure times with 6 am arrival. Everything in Berlin is gray: sidewalks, curbs, streets, (buildings, sky), it all blends together for a zombie, whoops!

I really admire folks like Rick Steves who despite his success and wealth still can’t bring himself to buy business class seats

Frankly I never got this. Rick is old enough to remember reasonable seat pitch, has money, yet still sits in the rear.

Even though I have never been able to sleep sitting up on a plane and am very uncomfortable sitting. I wish there were cheaper bunk beds with no additional luxuries

I’d go for this also.

Fair point Toby!

Good luck on your decision. (If you need help on picking a charity, consider the Cleveland Browns. We are hard luck team!)

Happy travels!

Ahhhhh, but does he fly PREMIUM ECONOMY!? Hmmmm. I just read his quote, and he said as long as he has an aisle seat THAT RECLINES, he is happy. Folks, he is one of the dreaded recliners!!! (So am I). He also rejects frequent flyer clubs.

In his videos, he often promoted very nice 4-star hotels. So I guess that's different.

Our last trip to Europe both my wife and I fell while walking around Berlin trying to stay awake after one of those absurd East Coast departure times with 6 am arrival.

There is a cheap fix for that: I reserve the room for the prior night - inform the hotel I won't actually arrive until the following morning - I check into the room immediately, take a shower, and I hop into bed for a nap, say 2 hours. Get up, go out for lunch, take a nice walk, eat an early light supper, and stay up until normal bedtime...

No need to splurge on biz class if the dreaded early arrival in Europe is the #1 issue. Business class will not solve that early arrival dilemma.

My jet lag can last for days, anywhere from 3 to 5 (it has gotten worse as I have aged, I am now in my late 60s). Business class helps reduce that impact by almost half, and early hotel check in also helps. But if you are an arrival day sufferer of jet lag, and are OK after that, and want to save $, skip business class and reserve the room for early arrival.

I would not splash out for a flight to Europe--save it for flying to Asia or somewhere further flung.
DO absolutely get premium economy (whatever version your airline provides). It's just silly not to. Treat your friends if you are feeling generous. It's a fraction of the cost of business and makes the miserable quite tolerable.

If you really need convincing, would whoever left you the money want you to live it up? Or would they want you to "use it wisely" (whatever that means)?

Convince you?

First look at the price difference, if you do not gag, then fine.

Second, take that amount of difference, and think of all the things you could do on your trip with that money. Private tours, fantastic meals, a bit more of a hotel room, maybe shopping...and balance whether that is a better use of the money than to make an 8 hour flight better.

If you will do the things mentioned in the second bullet anyway, and the price mentioned in the first bullet is tolerable, then go for it.

After reading all the comments if you still feel that business class is too extravagant I would suggest premium economy.
We recently flew on Lufthansa to Germany and premium economy was a much better experience than regular economy. Premium had more comfortable seating, more leg room, and seats that reclined more. Also free beverages were on offer including wine. It was more money than economy but not thousands more.

For us, buying two rt tickets business class means about 8000 more extra in flight costs (say 4700 vs 700 basic economy for each of us if my assumptions are correct)and that 8000 total extra cost would be more than one month total trip cost so would be really hard to justify extra costs. As long as I can get up and walk around a bit I can tolerate basic economy.

I agree with Carrie. If you are questioning the choice, it may not be your thing.

The idea of the lie flat to Europe and another class of seat home is also a reasonable thought.

I also agree with Nancy. I'd love a bunk and nothing else.

For most, life is always a trade off. We could fly Delta One if we wanted, but we'd have to give up something else. We have folks (mostly relatives) that begrudge our frequent travels. We usually don't say much, but, for many, its about the choices they make. We also could be driving new cars instead of a 10 year old Subaru.

About a year ago, we did a 2 week Viking cruise. We travel independently most often, but, the cruise worked really well for us. Someone else handled the planning and logistics, the food was actually good. It was September and it was really hot. It was wonderful to come back to the ship mid afternoon and jump in the pool with a cocktail and have someone bring me a salad, and then go to high tea. I'd much rather throw out my cash for a very occasional small ship cruise than spend it on lay flat seating on the plane.

It also doesn't really feel like our style, typically understated. We also could stay in Four Seasons hotels, or similar but chose not to.

That all said, I do feel a little envious when I walk on the plane past Delta one and business class and see all the comfy folks with drinks in hand.

I'll add only one thought:

Once you fly business on a fairly long (to Europe from the US) it's very difficult to go back to coach.

I rationalize it like this: At the end of the year, will the difference in fares impact your lifestyle?

I'm a Delta guy. If I'm traveling with someone, I pretty much always buy coach. I get an automatic upgrade to Comfort+ with my frequent flyer status, so that's nice. If I'm flying alone, my goal is business class, but I aim for a cost of around $3,000. I check frequently for a lower airfare -- and play with dates as noted above (Tues/Wed/Thurs tend to best for cost) -- and use the "My Dates Are Flexible" check box on Delta. I do the same for coach fares!. I tend to find the best prices around 120 days out -- but fare sales can pop up quite literally at any moment and last 12-24 hours. $5600 to $6000 would be a definite no go for me.

My jet lag can last for days, anywhere from 3 to 5 (it has gotten worse as I have aged, I am now in my late 60s).

Mine has gotten worse, too although I only get jet lag on the way back heading west. When I arrive in Europe I’m usually sleep deprived but I’m not jet lagged, which is an entirely different thing. So once I get a full nights sleep that evening, I am raring to go the next day.

Question 1: how old are you?
Question 2: how much disposable income do you have?

That should tell you

Dennis (business class to Europe, especially if nite flight, maybe premium economy back if day flight)

”My jet lag can last for days, anywhere from 3 to 5 (it has gotten worse as I have aged, I am now in my late 60s).”

Like Mardee, my jet lag has become crazy when I return home. Last month my first four days at home were: “Pacific Time, Italian Time, Pacific Time, Italian Time” - ugh! But, I am retired, so I will do it again. : )

Going to Europe, I seem to be fine. Just a groggy arrival day, a good night’s sleep, and I am ready to go. Maybe it’s the adrenaline of being back in Europe, although I don’t recommend attending a classical music concert on arrival night! : )

Like some folks here, I had a health scare this year, (in the early summer months.) I also received a small unexpected windfall during that time. That money was useless to me, as I didn't have the energy to get off the couch and spend it. Now that I'm stabilized and back in the fight, I'm more committed than ever to going business class. None of us know how many more trips we have for the future. What if our previous trip ended up being our last one? (And, The kids can fly economy! Hopefully we don't leave them a dime! Wink emoji!)

Mine has gotten worse, too although I only get jet lag on the way back heading west

I have the reverse problem - bad jet lag flying overnight eastbound to Europe, minimal (or far less) jet lag on the daytime return to the US.

We tend to take shorter trips abroad, like 2 weeks, multiple times a year, and when you are battling jet lag for 5 days after landing in Europe, it is awful. I wish my jet lag was only on the return home - I am retired - who cares if it takes a few days to recover? Losing precious days in Europe is a nuisance, and for us, business class really helps.

So like others who have responded, I can't imagine ever being rich "enough" to spend $5000 for a seat I could get for 800-1000 if I searched hard enough. That's, like, 5 trips!! But you said you play the points game. Play it harder?? We just bought business class POINTS tickets (through Air Canada, but on Star Alliance carriers) for our trip to Greece in May. It cost me about 2x for business that it would have cost me for economy. I can live with that, because it would have been an expensive itinerary from my home airport in the best case scenario. (We did also pay cash, about $500CA in fees, but for two round-trips, that's not bad.)

I put everything I can through an Amex card and I earned 50000 pts in the last 8 months. (Amex is hard to use in Canada, but I know where I can use it, and I know the best multipliers--one gas station gets me 5 pts per $ spent, the next one over gets me 1 pt per $1.) I collect on a few different cards, depending on what's going to get me the best deal. And every Canadian knows, the credit card points deals are exponentially better for US residents. Anyway, that's my suggestion. Points. As far as your bit of extra money goes, when you spend it, put it through a good card and get the most points you can for it! I'd probably buy myself a higher end stay somewhere, scale according to your own calculations.

Also for comfort on the plane/treating yourself, we paid a bit extra for exit rows on our last return. I think it cost us about $100 per person per flight and was so worth it. SO much more room. Normal seat, but space to get comfortable. On that carrier, they also give exit rows priority boarding, so we can get the "technical briefing" which lasts about 15 seconds. I haven't done Premium Economy but have also used "extra comfort" or some such moniker, which was extra leg room at the front of the economy cabin with a free drink. There are ways to treat yourself and be more comfortable without spending serious cash for it.

Like you, I'd find it hard to swallow to pay full price for a business seat. Same way I'd never spend $800/nt for an Eiffel Tower view hotel room! I don't think I'd be able to sleep at that price, I'd sit up all night at the window to get my money's worth! Generally I'd rather travel more/longer than pay for the premium experiences.

Good luck, and I hope whatever you choose brings you joy!

I'm loving all the comments on this thread, thanks Toby for starting it!

My last trip to Europe was on Westjet, the airline that just announced "pay to recline" seating. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/westjet-sea-recline-1.7646732 They have GREAT prices though. Personally I would not be sad about not reclining because it would mean no-one's head is in my lap when I'm trying to watch a movie. But it also comes with a drastically reduced pitch, so I'm paying for the exit row on Westjet. (Exit row doesn't recline either, for safety reasons.)

I see there are many points-lovers out there also. I see points as a little vacation travel savings jar. They really don't cost me anything but my time to collect and I can't use them for anything else, so I don't feel guilty about using them. Best use also requires some effort in learning the rules and how to find the sweet spot. This is similar to some suggestions about monitoring flight prices.

Toby, you might want to set up some flight alerts for yourself. I have used google flights but also hear good things about skyscanner. I also use facebook groups and other alerts, that's how I knew about great sales that got me to Europe twice in 2025. You can choose what you want to search for, I'm assuming class of seat is part of that.

Fun! Honestly travelling more on my budget is one of my hobbies, so I don't mind putting time in on it. Thanks to all who shared their ideas.

Nope, either it won’t phase you or it will gag you to put out that much money. Your choice.

Premium Economy: Aer Lingus doesn’t offer this (and somehow fits lie flat seats on a single aisle plane) and Delta was slow to institute. But Delta does offer it on their A330 Dublin flight at $2600 RT so more reasonable. Perhaps the better choice for me.

There’s no way credit card use will get me lie flat on Delta, but I know it works better on other airlines.

Shoeflyer, Mr E, and Mardee - very helpful options / analogies! Changes the decision from an abstract number and yes / no decision to concrete things much easier to weigh / relate to. Fun discussion! :)

Treat yourself. We deserve it. However, pay the extra to fly Delta. Aer Lingus really let me know a few years back and I've chosen not to fly with them again. Being able to lie flat I usually get 3-4 hours sleep and it makes such a difference those first couple day.s

Oh, & I save money coming back as I fly Comfort + on the way home.

No way am I going Business Class, and pay for this added bit of luxury, regardless. I fly Basic Economy, which admittedly does tax my level of tolerance and patience during the 11 hour overnight flight from SFO, a couple of times it downright unpleasant and uncomfortable. You learn to put up with it flying with United

I have the $$ money but it seems too extravagant.

You saving for a gold plated coffin, or do you want to enjoy travel while you are still able to travel?

Is there current hard evidence RS flies standard coach to Europe?

I love this saying: “If you don’t fly First Class your kids will.”

If I had to fly economy to Europe I’d stop traveling. Those economy flights would impact my first few days and blur many fine memories on the way home. I have the money and I got it the old fashioned way-I earned it working long hours for 40 years. Yes, I could spend it on other things, but, as has been alluded to, once you have the business class experience you likely won’t go back. Everyone’s value system is different-what things are “worth it”. For us at mid 70’s comfort and ease mean a lot. It’s why we fly business class and why we no longer take RSE tours after having enjoyed a dozen. We don’t want to fly economy and arrive bedraggled. We don’t want to manage our own luggage, arrange our own transport, stay in barely basic hotels, eat mediocre group meals. Our kids may not get the inheritance they thought, but hey, they’ll be fine!

Having switched to Business Class a few years ago, I am no longer willing to fly economy on long-haul trips. I'm spoiled, I guess.

I realize I'm betting I will not live longer than I can afford to, and with every trip I'm cutting months off my hoped-for life expectancy, but, well, so it goes.

Traveling is my "vice" so from a young age I always aimed for the cheapest airline tickets. I started taking my children when they were ten and six to Europe when BA started flying out of San Diego with an introductory $199 RT fare. The "steerage" row was fine with me becauses it got me to my international destination. I have taken my children, now adults, all over the world and our destinations are usually based on what new airlines are now flying out of San Diego at a reduced fare.

In 2020 we received an inheritance from my very cheap, difficult, non-generous MIL. Since I did not grow up with money, I fantasized what I could now do with this money. When I asked my husband if it would be okay if I could now fly business internationally, he said "No, fly first class all the time!!" His comment was shocking to me because my husband is a frugal Mid-Westerner. Like Dave, I aim for around $3000 for a RT international business class ticket. Using the AARP BA and Chase BA credit card discount codes and buying the ticket out far enough, I usually can hit that price goal. In 2021 I signficantly injured my right leg (on a plane of all places) and so I started flying business class internationally. I also am in my 60's. The combination of those two facts really does impact my comfort in flying long distances so flying business class is worth it to me. To me, nothing beats that lay-flat seat and extra space.

Now that I have developed this champagne taste, I still have my internal budget watching so to satisfy both parts of me, I play the points and credit card game. We put everything on our cards and pay it off every month. Recently my husband said I reached new heights of success when I was able to book TWO round trip business class tickets San Diego>>London>>Dublin for $1800 total on British Air for March 2026. BA gives you a free layover. Two years ago BA was running a special where you could get 150K avios for their credit card with an annual fee of $95. BA also lets you combine your avios account with your family members. BA also gives a companion certificate that you can use if you book the fare with any amount of avios. Since I am facing my sixth surgery in April, I wanted take this international trip if I could get a good deal for business class seats. It was 200K avios and $2k but when you book using avios for a reward ticket, the BA credit card will reimburse you up to $200 so the total price for both tickets was $1800. About 25% of our hotels are being covered by points, certificates, annual credits so I don't feel guilty about flying business. I am glad that I waited until I was older to start flying business because I think I appreciate it more.

Like many have mentioned, it is hard to go back once you start flying business so I have to confess that I am doing what my husband told me and I fly first class domestically about 75% of the time (but ususually at a certain price point where I feel comfortable with that spend level). As mentioned and not to make me sound like a saint, but the first thing we did with the money was set up a charitable foundation and each month I make contributions in my MIL's name. The woman could have created such great memories with her grandchildren taking them on trips or experiences but she valued money more than people and memories. We have decided to have fun creating those memories with the interest earned on the inheritance leaving the principle to our children. I felt much more comfortable having splurges once I realized that fact so in 2027 we are taking our children and significant others on an African safari to celebrate my husband's retirement and the whole gang is going business!!

There are whole websites devoted to gaming the points system to get the flights you want, and explaining all the differences between everyone's business class.

It's your $$$ and it's your call. If you've never done it, try it sometime on a transcon when it goes on sale and see what you think. Me, I spend extra for premium economy and it's plenty fine for me.

Youtube is also full of travel vloggers who closely chronicle all the different airlines and aircraft that offer business. Jeb Brooks for instance just flew United to Europe and Emirates back to compare (spoiler alert it wasn't as obvious as you would think).

I fly business class a lot, but I would not pay some of these huge amounts. For example, my next flight to Europe, my best friend and I are flying from Boston to Europe. We are flying business class from Boston to Europe premium economy on the return for $2400. I’m using my frequent fly miles to get to Boston. However, before you all think that’s incredibly extravagant. The ticket from Atlanta was almost $2000 for the same route. So it’s not really extra extravagant. I’m spending about four or $500 more than I would’ve gone now if that’s because I had the frequently to pay for the trip to Boston, I’ve done it to New York also

And then I got an alert a few weeks ago from one of the services I’ve signed up for that sends out alerts. wound up booking a British Airways business class ticket mistake fare for $1300. MmYou just have to learn to play the game and the game is not frequent flier miles anymore imho because they’re not the deal in my opinion you need to be watching Google flight. You need to be watching the flyer talk premium fare deals, you need to look at seeing about places that give out alerts. Some of them are free,some of them charge you have to decide if the charge is worth it, but there are options to save money on business class flights and I would never pay that much money. The other option is to buy a coach ticket on one of the airlines that allows bidding for upgrades. I have friends that do that and they generally get pretty cheap upgrades, but there are times they miss it and they’re sitting in the back

As for arrival , I have quit trying to book a hotel room the night before. I book a room with dayuse.com. I’ve done this my last couple of trips to Europe and just booked a room on arrival, gone to the hotel room, take a shower, take a nap and head into the city. This is a really good compromise. I’ve been able to do it every time for less than $100 and it’s right at the airport so I don’t have to get myself someplace to get into a hotel room or worry about the fact that they didn’t understand I wouldn’t be checking in until the next morning

In my mid-70s now I have experienced in the past , 20 years ago or more, Business class twice, bumped up by Lufthansa SFO to Frankfurt, purely coincidental, and yes, it is rather nice enjoying that piece of extra luxury.

So, I still fly Basic Economy regardless, I figure I'll survive after the overnight flight, sleeping some, although admittedly not as long as I used to pre-pandemic., still avoiding the jet lag, which doesn't happen anyway upon landing.

Beginning of a three week trip to Italy. We flew business class on BA to London from Portland, Oregon this spring on their direct flight. Lounge in Portland is nice and deserted and quiet (United). Heathrow was a zoo, lounges were crazy busy, but found a place to sit down and relax. It gave us first class tickets to connecting flight to Rome.

Did Premium Economy on the way home to PDX. Since I was going home, I didn’t really care that much but found the flight home was pretty comfortable and I knew I would be sleeping in my own bed that night.

Probably last trip to Europe and I was happy with how it turned out.

As a note, we are mid-70’s and not necessarily budget travelers, but do watch how we spend our travel $$.